League Focus: Alternative Premier League Team of the Season

We have decided to take a look at what would be a worthy, if unlikely, team of the season come the end of the campaign. With the Premier League players currently wracking their brains as to who to vote for in the PFA awards, we at WhoScored thought it best to give them a little advice over players who could perhaps be harshly overlooked.

Based on our player ratings, we have compiled an XI in a 4-4-2 formation which excludes obvious inclusions from the 'big 5' of United, City, Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea in order to give a little credit to the players doing the business in less star-studded sides.

While there are a number of standout performers who just fail to make the grade in our rankings, with the likes of Krul, Cabaye and Allen just missing out, our line-up includes a good balance to the side. All players to be included must have played at least half the season, meaning the form of the likes of Cisse and Sigurdsson has been overlooked here, but should certainly not be underestimated.

Defence

Our defence is backed up by Swansea stopper Michel Vorm, whose rating of 7.1 is the best of any keeper in the league. The Dutchman has only made fewer saves than Wayne Hennesey this season, with 118, making the fact that the 12 clean sheets he has kept is also the league's second best tally - behind De Gea - all the more remarkable.

A couple of familiar faces take their place in front of the summer signing, with fellow Swansea newcomer Steven Caulker having a magnificent season on loan from Tottenham to earn a WhoScored rating of 6.8. The youngster is partnered by teammate Ashley Williams; whose integral role in Rodgers' side's build up play has seen him complete more passes in his own half than any other Premier League player (1293). The Wales international has also kept more clean sheets than any other centre-back this season (11), helping him to a WhoScored rating of 6.79.

Either side of the aforementioned duo we have the Merseyside pair of Glen Johnson and Leighton Baines. The former's absence has led to a real downturn in results for the red side of Liverpool, while their blue-blooded rivals have had the consistency of Baines to bank on all season. The latter has made the most accurate crosses from open play in the league, with 50 from a total of 175 attempts - the second highest - at an accuracy of almost 29%. Such is the quality of the England international's delivery, the left-back has created the third most 'big chances' in England, with 11 from the back.

Midfield

At the heart of our midfield we have two players who have proven they are more than capable of helping out at either end of the pitch. West Brom's James Morrison has 4 goals to his name from 2.1 shots per game but has also contributed an excellent average of 2.3 for both tackles and interceptions. Moussa Dembele's solitary goal this season is hardly eye-catching but the Belgian ranks third in the league for both tackles (100) and dribbles (67). Exceptional upper body strength has led to his fantastic figures for two of the most contrasting statistics in the game. The 24-year-old's success rates in both regards are equally remarkable, completing 88% of his tackle attempts and 60% of his dribbles.

Dembele's Fulham teammate Clint Dempsey is the top rated player from outside the 'big 5' according to WhoScored and therefore the star of our line-up, with an average of 7.22. Now with 16 goals to his name, from left midfield for the majority of the season, the American has 10 since the turn of the year, which is one more than both van Persie and Rooney. Only the former has mustered more shots at goal than Dempsey's 131, with the Fulham man showing great variety. He has had the third most shots on target from outside the box (19), scored the third most headed goals (4) and the second most goals on the break (3) in the entire league.

Dempsey's tendency to cut inside would allow Baines to overlap from behind and provide expert crosses from the left. If you could ask for one man to do the same from the right it would be Seb Larsson, whose 243 total crosses this season is a league high. The Swede's accuracy from said deliveries is just under 26%, while he also leads the league for goals from free-kicks with 4, meaning he would fight it out for such duties with the Everton full-back in our XI.

Attack

The balance to the side is strengthened by a traditional little and large partnership up front. While Papiss Demba Cisse is stealing the headlines since his summer move, the Tyneside buzz was very much focused on compatriot Demba Ba prior to his arrival, with the 16-goal striker still playing his part despite a lack of goals of late. He, like Dempsey, has netted 4 headed goals this season, as well as striking the woodwork 4 times. Having registered 87 shots this season he has a chance conversion rate of over 18%.

Alongside him, Luis Suarez' all action displays have earned a WhoScored rating of 7.21. A constant threat, Suarez has attempted 28 shots from inside the box this season - the second most in the league - with 7 coming as a result of set pieces - the most in the league. The latter statistic would be particularly helpful in this side with the quality of set piece takers on show, though Suarez would like to have added to his modest 8-goal haul so far. The Uruguayan has been a little unlucky, striking the woodwork 6 times this season, and he would certainly prove to be a decent foyle for Demba Ba, with the Carroll-Suarez partnership not exactly panning out that way!