Football.co.uk continues its 'Premier League Team of the Season' draft, with wingers the order of the day this time around.
Sam Parker puts forward his candidates for recognition in the wide midfield roles.
The team so far: Hart, Ivanovic, Bale, Vermaelen, Vidic...
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1. Florent Malouda (Chelsea)
It's hard to believe that this is the same player that Chelsea fans were hoping would be disposed of in every transfer window. The lost Frenchman who looked uninterested in the physical side of the game has been completely transformed under Carlo Ancelotti into one of the league's most dangerous midfielders.
This season, he has battled hard and looks almost as indispensable as Frank Lampard with his attacking approach earning him 15 goals this season.
2. Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur)
Unfortunate to have his season cut short, Lennon is still worthy of a mention on this list. Up until his injury, he was running rings around the defences of the Premier League and giving full-backs nightmares. Manchester City's Sylvinho will vouch for that after being tied up in knots by the 23-year-old.
The criticism of his game prior to the season was his final delivery, but that has come on in leaps and bounds, as evidenced by his eight assists. Lightening quick, he has caused countless problems for defenders and will be a great asset for England at the World Cup, if he proves his fitness.
3. Luis Antonio Valencia (Manchester United)
Eyebrows were raised when Manchester United shelled out £16 million for the Wigan winger who had looked good, if not brilliant during his stay there.
However, the Ecuadorian has been quite a success story and an integral part of the Red Devils' first-team, forging a good understanding with Wayne Rooney to provide seven direct assists. He has also scored five times in the league in 34 appearances, nearly matching his total of seven in 89 at Wigan.
4. Steven Pienaar (Everton)
It's unsurprising that Tottenham, Manchester United and Chelsea have all been sniffing around Pienaar, as the opportunity to land him on the cheap would be a remarkable coup for any one of those teams. With his contract due to expire at the end of next season, now would be a perfect opportunity to tempt him away from Goodison Park.
With the rare mix of being hard-working and creative, Pienaar has many admirers in the Premier League, which is why David Moyes is so keen to keep him at Everton.
5. Matthew Etherington (Stoke)
Stoke clearly aren't as one-dimensional as we thought if a tricky winger can excel in a team known for their long-ball tactics. Etherington's form even prompted talk of an England call-up at one point in the season and he is probably as deserving of one as any.
His four goals and eight assists have been key in lifting Stoke into mid-table and he recently scooped all three Player of the Year awards at the club. Considering his well-documented personal problems regarding a gambling addiction, his consistency has put many others to shame. Only the continued unfashionable nature of Stoke has meant his fantastic ability has slipped under the radar of the media.
Source: DSG
