Another season's over and it's time to pick out the Premiership's best performers once more. Chelsea obviously have a heavy influence in the team, but not in the striking department of course.
For some positions several players could easily have been picked, especially central midfield. However, this season can only go down as a disappointment as far as the front men are concerned. Very few stand out as having made a lasting impression across the season, but we managed to find a couple.
Goalkeeper: Petr Cech (Chelsea)
It's been said on more than one occasion this season that the major difference between the top three sides has been between the sticks. That's not to play down the impact of Chelsea as an attacking force. In fact, Chelsea have scored only one goal fewer than last season's champions Arsenal.
While the Gunners have dithered with the erratic Jens Lehmann and the comedic Manuel Almunia, Manchester United have juggled between Roy Carroll and Tim Howard. All four goalkeepers have failed to make the position between the posts their own and have been all too eager to give their critics ammunition.
In contrast, Cech has been the perfect example of consistency. A towering figure, he has produced countless outstanding saves and has given added confidence to a defence which shipped just 15 goals all season. Cech will remain as a lasting legacy of the Claudio Ranieri era for years to come. The £7million paid to Stade Rennes last summer for the Czech Republic international looks to be outstanding business.
Right-back: Tony Hibbert (Everton)
It's fair to say that it hasn't been the best of seasons for right-backs with perhaps only three real contenders for the position. And it's Everton's defender who gets the nod ahead of Paulo Ferriera and Gary Neville.
Despite a stuttering end to the season, in which they conceded ten goals in the last two games, Everton's march to the Champions League has been built on a strong defence and narrow wins. Hibbert's drive and energy has been central to that. Solid at the back and happy to provide support in the opposition's half, it's a wonder he hasn't made the trip to the USA with England due to the raft of withdrawals and omissions.
The 24-year-old Liverpudlian has been a virtual ever-present after being on the bench for Everton's 4-1 opening day defeat to Arsenal and made his 100th appearance for the Goodison Park club.
Centreback: Jamie Carragher (Liverpool)
Carragher's omission from the shortlist for the PFA's player of the year award forced many to raise an eyebrow, but he's a player who, for the large part, goes un-noticed and about his job in a quiet manner.
An ever-present for Liverpool in the Premiership this season, the 27-year-old only got the recognition he truly deserved by being left off that very list. In the following weeks he produced some stunning performances in the Champions League clashes with Juventus and Chelsea.
For a player who has spent much of his career as a full-back, his emergence as a central defensive partner for the reliable Sami Hyypia has been a masterstroke of Rafael Benitez's first season in England. Only Sven Goran Eriksson's embarrassment of riches in the position will limit his chances at international level.
Centreback: John Terry (Chelsea)
It seems only fair that the team which now holds the record for the fewest goals conceded in the top flight should have a second player in the defensive line. And in John Terry, Chelsea posses the player who won the PFA's top honour.
Terry has been a rock at the heart of the champions' defence, weighing in with crucial goals when coming up for set-pieces. The Blues' skipper has progressed to such an extent that both Sol Campbell and Rio Ferdinand now look to be the ones battling for a place in the England team rather than being the partnership of choice for Eriksson.
Calm under pressure and happy to bring the ball out of defence, Terry epitomises the Chelsea spirit and their tough nature against opposition forward lines. He managed only three Premiership goals, but a tally of eight in all competitions is formidable and matches that of striker Mateja Kezman.
Left-back: Gabriel Heinze (Manchester United)
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson started the season wondering if he'd ever actually get to meet the player who he signed from Paris St Germain for £6.9million in the summer. The combination of the Copa America and the Olympics meant the Argentinean international was away on international duty throughout pre-season and didn't make his bow until mid-September.
The combative, hard-working player marked his debut at Bolton Wanderers with the opening goal of the game and soon established himself as a left-back of real quality. He may have failed to add to his Premiership goal tally since then, but his impact at the other end of the pitch has helped to steady a back-line which has obviously lacked confidence without a competent goalkeeper.
It came as a huge blow when his season was ended prematurely by injury against Newcastle United last month, forcing him to miss the FA Cup final. While many have been quick to slam Ferguson's record in the transfer market with players such as Eric Djemba-Djemba and Kleberson, Heinze has proved the veteran Scottish boss can still spot a player.
Right midfield: Zoltan Gera (West Bromwich Albion)
Gera was one of the first players to make the switch to England following Hungary's inclusion in the European Union. There was some doubt about how they would adapt to life in the Premiership but Gera, as well as Crystal Palace goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly, have proved there is quality to be had.
The 26-year-old has already achieve cult hero status at the Hawthorns after a season where his contribution has played no small part in the Baggies miraculously avoiding the drop. His stock has risen considerably following the £1.5million move from Ferencvaros, so much so that he has been linked with a move to Liverpool.
West Brom are desperate to hold on to their wide man, who bagged six goals over the course of the season - almost all of those being vital strikes. They may find it difficult to fight off the interest from the more established Premiership outfits.
Central midfield: Tim Cahill (Everton)
It could all have been so, so different for Crystal Palace had chairman Simon Jordan been prepared to pay the agent's £125,000 fee when they made the first move for the former Millwall midfielder last summer. It's a fair assumption that Palace would have been safe weeks ago with him in the side.
But Palace's loss was Everton's gain. David Moyes spent most of his transfer budget on the 25-year-old. Despite the fee being a modest £2million, it still represented something of a gamble for a club with little to spend on players.
The Oceania player of the year has, much like Robert Earnshaw and Dean Ashton, proved that it is possible to buy successfully from the lower divisions. His energetic displays and ability to ghost into the box have been effective all season. His tally of 11 Premiership goals, most coming from his fine aerial ability despite not being the tallest of players, makes him the club's top scorer by some distance.
Central midfield: Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
And so we come to the third Chelsea player signed by Claudio, the Football Writers' Player of the Year. When Lampard moved to Stamford Bridge for £11million in 2001 the price tag looked excessive. But he has become one of the best midfielders in the game, scoring 13 Premiership goals - bettered by only three players - and 22 in all competitions.
Those stats make him Chelsea's top scorer, which either says a lot about the club's style of play or the quality of their strikers. Not only has Lampard carved out a reputation as a goalscoring midfielder, but his range of passing and vision has also made him a dangerous creator. With 16 assists to his name he is the archetypal Fantasy Football purchase.
Lampard's price tag will now be off the scale, the type of player any side would have in their midfield.
Left midfield: Arjen Robben (Chelsea)
Some people would question the inclusion of a player who has started just 14 Premiership games in a injury-ravaged season. However, Robben's impact was so phenomenal that it gave them the extra level to pull clear of both Manchester United and Arsenal.
With Robben in the side, Chelsea were at their irresistible best. They turned from an obdurate outfit into a free scoring team full of confidence in the attacking third of the field. His lack of fitness was clear against Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final as he was unable to create that bit of spark that has had defences at home and in Europe reeling.
The 20-year-old could take his game onto a new level next season with a full, trouble-free pre-season under his belt. And his goal return of seven goals from 14 league starts is a better strike ratio than the vast majority of forwards in the Premiership. Another player that the Chelsea fans have Mr Ranieri to thank for.
Striker: Thierry Henry (Arsenal)
Henry has been in a different league as far as strikers are concerned. Andy Johnson maybe only four goals behind the Frenchman in the scoring charts, but with half his goals coming from the penalty spot the stats are distorted somewhat. And Henry has scored almost twice as many goals as the next strikers in the list - Defoe, Hasselbaink and Yakubu.
The 27-year-old may have struggled to produce his club form on the international stage, but in the Premiership he remains far and away the best striker in the division. He creates goals for himself and for others, making him the focal point of Arsenal as a successful side.
Arsenal have proved they are not a one-man team with their results without Henry since early April but they'd much rather have their second highest ever goalscorer, after Cliff Bastin's tally was eclipsed this season. He is now within four of Ian Wright's record.
Striker: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
The second striking berth was a tough call between young Mr Rooney and Andy Johnson, but it's Rooney's all-round ability and his tendency to produce the spectacular which give him the edge.
His goal tally of 17, with 11 in the Premiership, has been criticised given the £27million paid to Everton on transfer deadline day last August. Rooney, however, was bought as much for his potential to be a world star as for immediate impact. He's a match-winner, a crowd pleaser and, above all else, a bloody good player.
The 19-year-old's volleys against Newcastle United and Middlesbrough were more than worthy contenders for goal of the season. The fact that he's still a teenager means he's still got a big chunk of development to go, it's actually quite frightening.
Manager: Bryan Robson (West Bromwich Albion)
When Robbo took over at the Hawthorns there was very little confidence among the fan base. Robson's managerial record had been severely tarnished in the last couple of seasons at Middlesbrough. And an aborted move to coach Nigeria coupled with relegation at Bradford City last season failed to rebuild confidence.
Crushing, back-to-back defeats to Birmingham and Liverpool at Christmas, when they shipped nine goals without reply, had the Baggies on the canvas and the fans singing 'you don't know what you're doing' at their one-time playing hero. But no more does bottom at Christmas, relegated in May apply.
Robson turned West Brom from a dour, unimaginative outfit into a team prepared to pass the ball and create opportunities. The signings of Kevin Campbell and Kieran Richardson were key, providing a mix of youthful exuberance and experience to the cause. Robbo can enjoy his summer break safe in the knowledge he is finally putting his Riverside woes behind him.
Substitutes
Shay Given (Newcastle) - Another outstanding season for the man forced to play behind one of the more porous defences in the Premiership
Ashley Cole (Arsenal) - Now one of the best left-backs in the world, but why did he pop for clandestine drinks with Pete and Jose?
Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City) - Just edged out of the side by Gera, but can Stuart Pearce hold on to his star man?
Claude Makelele (Chelsea) - A player who does the housekeeping in front of the back four. Quite simply, there's no better player in the world in his position
Andy Johnson (Crystal Palace) - Without doubt the find of the season as far as Premiership strikers are concerned - surely he'll be back next season?
What do you think of the team? Has Dale got it badly wrong? You can email him directly.
Soccernet's editorial alternatives
John Brewin (4-4-2): Petr Cech, Paulo Renato Ferreira, John Terry, Jamie Carragher, Gabriel Heinze, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Claude Makelele, Xabi Alonso, Arjen Robben, Wayne Rooney, Andy Johnson.
Subs: Shay Given, Ryan Nelsen, Kieran Richardson, Gary Speed, Frank Lampard.
Manager: Bryan Robson
Phil Holland (3-5-2): Petr Cech, Erik Edman, Lauren, John Terry, Stewart Downing, Wayne Routledge, Frank Lampard, Tim Cahill, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Peter Crouch, Thierry Henry.
Subs: Nigel Martyn, Phillipe Senderos, Leon Osman, Luis Garcia, Jermain Defoe.
Manager: David Moyes
Dom Raynor (4-4-2): Shay Given, Gary Neville, John Terry, Jamie Carragher, Ashley Cole, Shaun-Wright Phillips, Frank Lampard, Tim Cahill, Arjen Robben, Wayne Rooney, Thierry Henry.
Subs: Petr Cech, Gabriel Heinze, Zoltan Gera, Steven Gerrard, El Hadji Diouf.
Manager: David Moyes
Steve Wilson (4-4-2): Petr Cech, Tony Hibbert, John Terry, Jamie Carragher, Gabriel Heinze, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Tim Cahill, Frank Lampard, Arjen Robben, Wayne Rooney, Thierry Henry.
Subs: Jussi Jaaskelainen, Ricardo Carvalho, Andy Johnson, Xabi Alonso, Nicky Hunt.
Manager: Sam Allardyce
