Formation:
3-1-3-3
Goalkeeper
Dudu Aouate
(Mallorca) – Spain’s two high profile goalkeepers, Iker
Casillas and Victor Valdes may be leading the race for the Zamora
Trophy, but with a number of big-game defenders infront of them,
it’s little wonder. Aouate, on the other hand, has had to
single-handedly rescue his Mallorca side on several occasions with
a hatful of superb saves. The Israeli has conceded just three goals
in seven home games and he is one of the main reasons why the
Balearic Islanders have found themselves all the way up in fifth
place in the standings at present.
Defence
Sergio Ramos
(Real Madrid) – Touted as Paolo Maldini’s heir, the
Merengues right-back has enjoyed a resurgence this season after a
tumultuous past couple of years where he suffered from
inconsistency and a dip in form. Now, having rediscovered his
confidence under Manuel Pellegrini, he looks sharper in defense and
much more threatening in attack, whether it’s down the right wing
or infront of the opposition goal from set-pieces.
Carles Puyol
(Barcelona) – The Blaugrana captain remains the bedrock of
the team’s unstoppable rise. Much of the focus has been on Gerard
Pique and his scoring exploits, but it’s the veteran Puyol who
constantly holds Barca’s backline together with his remarkable
reading of the game and brave last-ditch tackles. The highlight of
his season thus far is undoubtedly his man-of-the-match performance
against Real Madrid.
Joan Capdevila
(Villarreal) – As the Yellow Submarine struggled in the
early stages of the season, the experienced left-back appears to
have found a second wind towards the tail-end of his career. He has
made some vital assists and scored some crucial goals and in what
is a hugely pivotal season for Capdevila, he will be hoping to
carry his sterling form through to the end of the campaign into
next summer for the 2010 World Cup.
Midfield
Lassana Diarra
(Real Madrid) – The Frenchman’s value and importance to
Los Blancos cannot be stressed nearly enough. His work rate as a
defensive midfielder is second to none and this season, with the
help of Xabi Alonso forming part of the double pivot, Lass has been
given the freedom to exhibit the attacking side of his game. And to
further highlight his incredible versatility, he frequently roams
forward or drifts out wide to the right to act as an overlapping
full-back.
Jesus Navas
(Sevilla) – The tricky winger has long caught the
attention of La Liga followers with his dazzling displays but this
season, he has taken his form up another notch. This season, he has
demonstrated a characteristic that has been missing from his game
in previous years: consistency. Also having overcome his
homesickness and anxiety problems, he capped off his year with a
fully deserved maiden call-up to the Spanish national team in
November.
Xavi
(Barcelona) – The engine that continually keeps Barcelona
ticking over, the midfield pocket dynamite has not missed a beat
this term. With five assists in the league, his simple yet majestic
ball control and possession-retention abilities continue to amaze
while his outrageous passing range remains a sight to behold. If
Puyol is the glue that holds Barca’s backline together, then Xavi
is the heart and soul of the Blaugrana’s now world famous
irresistible attack.
Diego Costa (Real
Valladolid) – The 21-year-old Brazilian is poised for big
things. Still fairly unheard of and playing in an unfancied team
like Valladolid, the attacking midfielder has quietly been one of
the star performers in the league in the first 15 rounds of the
season. Defenders have found it difficult to cope with his pace and
trickery, whether he’s playing through the middle or out wide. He
has provided three assists but even more impressive, he has six
goals to his name.
Attack
Lionel Messi
(Barcelona) – The more accolades Messi wins, the more
criticism he seems to face. Such is football. But in spite of all
that, he has not allowed personal success or denigration affect his
game as he continues to lead Barca’s attack with elegance and
efficiency. If anything, he is improving on his minor shortcomings,
such as his predatory instincts infront of goal and his all-round
game. On top of his nine goals, he has also made five assists.
David Villa
(Valencia) – ‘El Guaje’ is showing no signs of suffering
from the ill-effects of the transfer wild goose chase during the
summer. After coming so close to leaving the Mestalla for Real
Madrid and then for Barcelona, the 28-year-old has won back the
hearts of the Che faithful as he currently leads the Pichichi race
with 12 goals after 15 rounds. Villa continues to stake his claim
as one of the best strikers in world football at present.
Cristiano Ronaldo
(Real Madrid) – The most expensive football on the planet
has already proved his doubters wrong with a superlative
performance for his new club so far this campaign. His attacking
influence in this newly-assembled Real Madrid side is
unquestionable and his absence was painfully felt during his
month-long lay-off because of an ankle injury. In eight La Liga
appearances, he has scored in six of them, tallying seven goals in
total.
Aouate
Sergio Ramos - Puyol -
Capdevila
Lass
Jesus Navas - Xavi -
Costa
Messi - Villa -
Ronaldo