As we approach 2012 the only players in Europe's top 5 leagues who aren't enjoying the festive break are plying their trade in the Premier League, so in the meantime we analyse the best XIs at the halfway stage of the season elsewhere.
First up we look across the channel at France's Ligue 1, where PSG's rise to the top was not enough to keep former coach Antoine Koumbouare in a job, with Carlo Ancelotti officially filling the Parisian post today. The league leaders are represented by two players in our 4-2-3-1 formation of the best players available per position based on WhoScored ratings.
The likes of reigning champions Lille, last season's runner-up Marseille and this season's surprise package Montpellier also have a couple of players in the line-up. Without further ado, here is a rundown of the outstanding performances in the division this season, starting between the posts.
Goalkeeper
Salvatore Sirigu (Paris Saint Germain) - WhoScored rating - 6.85
One of a number of summer signings at PSG, Salvatore Sirigu was one of the most shrewd pieces of business the club made, buying him from Palermo for around €3.5m. The Italian was the choice of sporting director Leonardo having already signed Nicolas Douchez on a free from Rennes and has proven to be an excellent choice.
Starting all 19 games for the league leaders thus far, Sirigu and Palermo's defensive record is the joint best in the league having conceded just 17 goals. The Italian has kept 7 clean sheets as well as making 60 saves for the French club and making 23 good claims over the course of the season thus far. His rating of 6.85 is the best of any keeper in the league.
Full-Backs
Mathieu Debuchy (Lille) - WhoScored rating - 7.02
Henri Bedimo (Montpellier) - WhoScored rating - 7.07
Mathieu Debuchy's form with current Ligue 1 champions Lille has not gone unnoticed, earning him a place in Laurent Blanc's French national team. His call-up was unsurprising given his performances going forwards and back, scoring 3 goals from the back so far. The right-back has won 2.9 tackles per game, which is more than any of the other defenders in our back four, but has also committed 2.4 fouls per game, which is also the most.
Henri Bedimo's move from Lens to Montpellier will have gone unnoticed by many, but the Cameroon international is certainly drawing the attention now in a Montpellier side that has shocked French football to sit 2nd at the halfway point. Bedimo has started every game for his new side this season and his overall game has been excellent, winning 2.3 tackles and 2.5 interceptions per match to rank as Ligue's best defender to date according to WhoScored.
Centre-Backs
Nicolas N'Koulou (Marseille) - WhoScored rating - 7.02
Bruno Ecuele Manga (Lorient) - WhoScored rating - 6.96
Another new signing in our starting XI, Marseille were quick to snap up centre-back Nicolas N'Koulou from relegated Monaco, and their swift move has paid off. At just 21 the Cameroonian, and second of 3 African's in our back four, has shown a maturity beyond his years to become one of the league's best centre-halves. While 1.8 tackles per game is the lowest of our defence an average of 2.7 interceptions a match is the best and highlights a superb reading of the game at such a tender age.
Lorient's capture of Bruno Ecuele Manga was seen as low key at the time in replacing Arsenal bound Laurent Koscielny but consistently dependable displays have seen him draw admiring glances from across Europe. The Gabonese international is just 23 but is already one of his side's key players and ranks top of our defenders for clearances (10.1), blocks (0.6) and the lowest frequency of being dribbled past per game (0.3).
Double Pivot
Renaud Cohade (Valenciennes) - WhoScored rating - 7.18
Maxime Gonalons (Lyon) - WhoScored rating - 7.09
The lowest placed side represented in our best XI; Valenciennes' (13th) Renaud Cohade has started half of his 16 appearances from a defensive midfield position but has still contributed to 5 goals this season (2 goals / 3 assists), with only Gael Danic playing a part in more. An excellent 3.6 tackles per game and 2.4 interceptions per game prove his skills when defending, while 1.3 shots and 1.5 key passes per game highlight his ability going the other way.
Departures of the likes of Toulalan and Makoun have allowed Lyon youth product Maxime Gonalons to have an extended run in the first team, and he has earned a call-up to the senior international team for his efforts. The 22-year-old offers little going forward but his 3.6 tackles, 2.8 interceptions and 85% pass accuracy ensures his side have a dependable platform to build from in order to get the best out of their more creative stars.
Attacking Midfield
Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille) - WhoScored rating - 7.39
Eden Hazard (Lille) - WhoScored rating - 7.44
Nene (Paris Saint Germain) - WhoScored rating - 7.50
If Mathieu Valbuena could add a consistency to his game, which is lacking at times, he would be one of the league's hottest prospects. The 27-year-old was a late starter in professional football but is undoubtedly a threat when on top form. He has touched upon such form this season to pick up an excellent 9 assists from a joint league high of 3.2 key passes per game. A decent start somewhat stuttered along with Marseille's form and led to the winger being dropped, though he has returned to Deschamps line-up and looks back to his best, but for how long?
Eden Hazard is a phenomenon in France and particularly among the Lille fans, and all before his 21st birthday. His versatility sees him pose a threat from any position in behind the striker, though he seems to have found his home on the left of a front 3 this term. A tally of 7 goals is top for Lille thus far, as is a total of 6 assists. Despite all this, his dribbling, guile and imagination catches the eye the most and with 2 per game he beats an opponent with a far greater regularity than his teammates in our XI.
While PSG's side has changed dramatically this season, Brazilian winger Nene has been a rare constant, be it in his appearances (18) or the consistent quality of his performances. A figure of 7 goals from the wing is excellent and from 3.1 shots per game; he is a constant thorn in opponents' sides. Even better when it comes to key passes, 3.2 is equal with Valbuena but has been rewarded with just 2 assists in comparison and if one statistic highlights his threat more than any other, it lays in the fact that he is fouled more often than any player in the league (3.9 per game).
Striker - Star Player
Olivier Giroud (Montpellier) - WhoScored rating - 7.60
It seems only fitting that the league's surprise package when it comes to teams possess the league's outstanding performer of the season thus far. With a WhoScored rating of 7.60, Montpellier forward Olivier Giroud looks, at times, to have everything a target man needs. With 13 goals thus far he leads the league in terms of goals but has also proven to be a great link-man, picking up 5 assists in addition.
Figures of 3.8 shots per game and 3.6 aerial duels per game indicate the type of forward he is, and rank 1st and 2nd in the entire division. Links to Newcastle have been numerous but one suspects he is capable of bigger and better things having, like Debuchy and Gonalons, also forced his way into the international scene this season. If Montpellier can keep their star man, whose to say they can't keep the pace at the top of the league.
