21 May 2011 08:47:00
EXCLUSIVE
By James Daly
Andy Cole is familiar with winning things, with five Premier League titles, two FA Cups and a Champions League winners medal amongst his collection. Added to that a golden boot and Young Player of the Year award in 1994.
But rarely has he got to be the one dishing out the awards.
In a season that saw his former side Manchester United win their 19th Barclays Premier League title – surpassing Liverpool’s record 18 successes and thus becoming England’s most successful team ever – the 39-year-old believes four players from that side are worthy of inclusion in his Team of the Season.
And that includes Dimitar Berbatov who has been by no means a regular at Old Trafford, having lost his place to young Mexican Chicharito, who Cole believes mirrors his younger self from his playing days.
There are also call-ups for Bolton centre-back Gary Cahill and Arsenal youngster Jack Wilshere, while Gunners team-mate Samir Nasri also makes it into the team.
Who makes up the rest of Cole’s choices? Goal.com gave him a chalkboard with 11 places on it and the rest was up to him.
| He has been immense for Manchester United this season. When you play for a club like United it’s only now and then you need to make a save – and a top save at that – and when he’s been called upon this season, he’s produced that save. That’s got them a point or won them a game. They’re going to miss him. |
| Arsenal’s best defender by far. I think defensively he has become a lot better and attack wise he always wants to join in, although his final ball is not always the best. Energy wise for an Arsenal player he’s very driven. They need a few more like him in the team. |
He has never let Bolton down; he’s got good ability and I wouldn’t be surprised if he moves on this summer. I think he can play for England; I know Michael Dawson is in front of him but personally I’d take Cahill. He’s good with his feet, he wants to play and is confident. | Immense player. Has been a colossus for United this season and he’s been one of their best by a mile. He leads by example, he leads as captain; he’s just a leader! He’s played virtually every game for United this season and when he doesn’t play they really do miss him. |
Ashley is a fantastic player but he has just got to stop getting on everyone’s nerves! I think sometimes he makes a rod for his own back, it’s as if he wants everyone to dislike him, but he is better than that. If he concentrates on his football everyone will love him again. |
| He has been really good this season, he has really become what I would call a Manchester United player. He’s been absolutely fantastic; the goals he’s got, assists too. He’s now finally stepped out of Cristiano Ronaldo’s shadow; we always believed he had the talent and now he’s proving he has got it. | Nasri has been Arsenal’s best player. When people talk about missing Fabregas, well they missed this guy when he didn’t play more. He has stepped up immensely and has always been there or thereabouts this season. He’s been really, really good | It’s been his breakthrough season but he has been top drawer. What I like about him is his tenacity – he wants to win. With more players like him and Sagna, Arsenal would have more opportunities of winning things. He is playing like an older pro already. He has been really good this season. | Up until his back injury he was just unbelievable. People try to tell me he’s a better left-back than he is in midfield and I just scratch my head (and these are supposed to be football people as well). He proved just how good he is by getting on the European scene and putting some of the best defenders in the world to the sword. |
| Any guy who gets 21 goals and is not even in the team must be doing something right. He has been brilliant. He plays in a style that people keep questioning but he played in exactly the same way at Tottenham and everyone loved him. Now he plays the same way and everyone says ‘oh he’s not the best’ but 21 goals is decent. That is what you get judged on as a centre forward. | To play for City in a very italian system and get the goals he has scored; you have got to take your hat off to him. Without Tevez would Manchester City finish fourth? No chance. They might be without him next season and if they are, I don’t know where they are going to get a replacement from. Dzeko? I’m not sure if he will be able to get the goals Tevez has. |
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Read more from the original source:
Former Manchester United striker Andy Cole picks his Barclays Premier League Team of the Season