Best of the Prem (“non-Big Four”)

WCC put together what it thought to be the best Premier League side, comprising players who were likely to be at the World Cup this year. All of these players were from “big four” clubs, so we’ve had a go at devising a best Premier League XI from “non-big four” clubs.

Everton and USA’s Tim Howard is in goal. He was the Golden Glove at last year’s Confederations Cup and is a well established Premier League keeper. Fulham’s Jon Pantsil is at right-back. He missed Ghana’s African Cup of Nations campaign due to injury and this may also place him in jeopardy for South Africa 2010. If he isn’t selected at right-back I’m not sure who would go there instead, particularly now that Lucas Neill has joined Galatasaray from Everton. Blackburn and New Zealand captain Ryan Nelsen pips Joseph Yobo to a place in central defence next to Kolo Toure. Maynor Figueroa is positioned at left-back. He strikes a ball well, as was evidenced by his spectacular free-kick against Stoke back in December. However, in the same month he was also exposed defensively by Man Utd’s Antonio Valencia.

Figueroa’s Honduran teammate Wilson Palacios lines up next to Gareth Barry in midfield. This pair should form a solid but creative midfield base. Bolton’s South Korean Lee Chung-yong is at right midfield. Aaron Lennon is perhaps unlucky to miss out, but the graphic really benefits from a dash of red! Lee’s selection is also justified by his four Premier League goals this year, which is more than Lennon’s three (although Lennon does have nine assists compared with Lee’s five). Everton’s Steven Pienaar will be representing the hosts at World Cup 2010: whilst he usually plays on the flank, he’s been placed behind forward Carlos Tevez in this line-up. Fulham and USA’s goalscoring midfielder Clint Dempsey is on the left.

How would this side fare against the Best of the Prem (big four) ?