From Nemanja Vidic to Carlos Tevez – Goal.com UK’s Premier League Team of the Season

Sunday saw the curtain close on the 2010-11 Premier League season, as another round of fixtures brought the ultimate highs, and lows, as the campaign roared to its end.

Defeats for Blackpool at the newly crowned champions, Manchester United, saw Ian Holloway’s side bow out of England’s top flight, while Alex McLeish’s Birmingham City joined the Seasiders and West Ham in the drop zone, with the League Cup winners returning to the Championship after two seasons in the Premier League.

For 38 rounds of fixtures, Goal.com UK has included a total of 195 players in our Premier League Team of the Week, and with the season at a close, all that remains is for us to name our Team of the Season.

Three of Sir Alex Ferguson’s title winners are included, while three from their ‘noisy neighbours’ – so influential to Roberto Mancini’s men’s third-placed finish and FA Cup triumph – make it to into our side. Runners-up Chelsea only have one representative while Arsenal’s squad don’t get a look in.

Newcastle proved that they were strong enough to survive a season back in the Premier League and provide our right midfielder, while Everton supply us with their ever-present England full-back.

Tottenham may have missed out on Champions League football but their midfield magician is included to ensure that at least one of Harry Redknapp’s charges are represented.

So without further ado, we proudly present to you the Goal.com UK Premier League Team of the Season…

Formation: 4-4-2

Goalkeeper – Joe Hart (Manchester City) Appearances: 38 Clean Sheets: 18 With more clean sheets than any other keeper in the division this season, there can be little doubting that Joe Hart has stepped up to become the country’s finest goalkeeper. Manchester City may have an abundance of riches but it speaks volumes that they’re keeping faith with the man they paid a mere £1.5 million to Shrewsbury Town for in 2006.

Right-back – Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea) Appearances: 34 Goals/Assists: 4/4In a team that has underperformed for much of the second half of this season, Branislav Ivanovic has shone out as a beacon of consistency. Powerful in the tackle and dominant in the air, the Serbian international has provided a solidity for the league’s runners-up that sets him apart from any other right-back in the league.

Centre-back – Vincent Kompany (Manchester City) Appearances: 37 Goals/Assists: 0/1Similarly to this side’s goalkeeper, Vincent Kompany arrived at Manchester City for a relatively meagre £6m, to be precise. However, the Belgian’s performances have been nothing short of exceptional for Mancini’s men, offering a sturdiness at the back that has been proven as vital for teams gunning for the title.

Centre-back – Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United) Appearances: 35 Goals/Assists: 5/1Having his regular partner at the back, Rio Ferdinand, for much of this season due to injury, it speaks volumes that Manchester United’s new club captain remained in such sparkling form. Helping Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans bed into the side, 2010-11 was the season where the Old Trafford skipper led as the ultimate example.

Right Midfield – Joey Barton (Newcastle United) Appearances: 32 Goals/Assists: 4/9Having made his name as a central midfielder, it is testament to Barton’s quality as to how easy he has made the transition to Newcastle’s right-hand side. The former Manchester City man may have had a checkered past but this season has seen him flourish and left many believing that an England call-up is inevitable.

Centre Midfield – Scott Parker (West Ham United) Appearances: 32 Goals/Assists: 5/2The Football Writers’ Player of the Year, Scott Parker was the true leader of a team relegated under the directionless management of Avram Grant. Showing the heart and desire worthy of a return to the England set-up, the Hammers’ captain showed true quality as those around him floundered.

Centre Midfield – Luka Modric (Tottenham) Appearances: 32 Goals/Assists: 3/2The Croatian is a creative metronome in a Spurs side of which he is the heart and soul. Modric’s stats may not be the most impressive but his performances on the pitch prove that numbers don’t always tell the full story. If Redknapp intends to guide Tottenham back to the Champions League, keeping hold of his midfield maestro is imperative.

Left Midfield – Nani (Manchester United) Appearances: 33 Goals/Assists: 9/18To put it simply, with nine goals and 18 assists, no player in the Premier League has contributed to as many goals as the Manchester United winger this season. Often derided for his inconsistency, Nani has proven himself for the Red Devils time and again this term, proving integral to their title winning exploits.

Forward – Dimitar Berbatov (Manchester United) Appearances: 32 Goals/Assists: 20/4The headlines may have focused on Javier Hernandez and Wayne Rooney towards the end of the campaign but as the league’s joint leading scorer, there can be no underestimation of the languid Bulgarian’s contribution. Goals against Bolton and Blackpool proved vital and he scored the first hat-trick by a Manchester United player against fierce rivals Liverpool in 64 years.

Disagree with our selection? Be sure to make your voice heard in our comments box below and tell us who you think has been a star performer this season…