TO pass the time in lockdown, Bournemouth skipper SIMON FRANCIS Cherry picks an XI of current Premier League players.
These stars have impressed him the most during his five years in the top flight.
GK EDERSON (Man City)
It was a toss-up between Ederson and Liverpool’s Alisson but I’ve gone with the former as he broke the mould in the Premier League for keepers being good with their feet.
I’ve never seen a keeper look so unflustered and he could probably play outfield with his ability. He’s got the longest kick I’ve ever seen.
It is so hard to defend against because you don’t know what line to use. You instinctively want to push up but with their pace in behind and his delivery, you feel you need to drop deeper which can kill you as a team.
RB: TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD (Liverpool)
Full-backs used to be the position you got shunted out to if you were a failed wideman or centre-back but now has become one of the most important in the team.
In our Bournemouth team that came up from the Championship, our stats showed often that our full-backs — myself and Charlie Daniels — had the most touches.
When you see Alexander-Arnold he has the ability of Kevin De Bruyne or David Beckham with his delivery. It’s effortless.
CB: VIRGIL VAN DIJK (Liverpool)
The complete defender who now has to be mentioned in the same breath as greats like Sergio Ramos and Fabio Cannavaro.
When we played against him at Southampton, we knew he had another gear in him but did not realise he would be this good.
He looked so casual at Saints and you thought, what is his deal? Why is he so laid-back? But you still see that at Liverpool now and that is why he is so good. He never gets flustered.
Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk makes it into Simon Francis’ best XICredit: Getty Images – Getty
CB: NATHAN AKE (Bournemouth)
With Aymeric Laporte out injured this year, I’m putting in Nath as he has been an ever-present for us and our best player for a few years.
When he first signed on loan from Chelsea he was not in the team straight away and I don’t think he or the manager knew his best position. He used to prefer playing holding midfield.
He can do everything now and though it’s hard for me to say, I can see him having a top career at one of the big boys — I just hope it’s not any time soon!
Nathan Ake shows he has got some cool moves in Bournemouth training
LB: BEN CHILWELL (Leicester)
HE can be an England left-back for many years to come and I definitely could see him fitting in at Manchester City.
We have had some good battles because when you are charging on as a full-back, you often get into one-on-ones with the opposition full-back. He always gives me a good run for my money.
I could have easily gone for Anfield hero Andy Robertson but it’s important to promote English players!
DM: JORDAN HENDERSON (Liverpool)
I’ve been massively impressed with how Jordan has organised us with the #PlayersTogether initiative but his inclusion has nothing to do with that. He is in because he has been Liverpool’s standout player this season.
He knits everyone together, he does the dirty work, he demands a certain level of performance and seems to be one of the fittest.
Henderson would not have been one of the first names on the teamsheet in times gone by but he is now. He has gone after the Premier League like Steven Gerrard did the year they were so unlucky.
CM: KEVIN DE BRUYNE (Man City)
Without a doubt the best player in the Premier League. The way he wraps a ball in at such pace and with such precision is something we’ve never seen before over here.
Francis has plenty of experience up against City’s domineering attackCredit: AFP
You can’t give him time and space and you can get caught in two minds. He often occupies that corridor on the inside right — do you overload it? Do you go old school and man mark?
That’s why he’s had so much joy this season, because no one knows how to handle him. He’s becoming more of a leader now, too.
CM: DAVID SILVA (Man City)
This is more out of appreciation for one of the greatest rather than his displays this season. We lost 2-0 to City at home in 2017 where I did my hamstring tracking Leroy Sane but Silva was electric that night.
There was a moment when he plucked a ball out the sky and flicked it between Harry Arter and Andrew Surman. You don’t often see it but Harry actually stopped and applauded.
It is a pleasure to have shared a pitch with the Spaniard — the ultimate players’ player.
RW: SON HEUNG-MIN (Spurs)
My son still says ‘daddy, he was the player who injured you’ when he comes on the TV! That is not strictly the case. Son did a stepover and a change of direction which ended with my knee giving way and me doing my ACL.
Jokes aside, I’ve come up against him many times and I think he’s been a top, top Premier League forward for a long time.
His one-on-one ability is top drawer and this season’s amazing goal against Burnley where he ran from his own half epitomised him.
LW: SADIO MANE (Liverpool)
The hardest thing to defend against is pace and if you are not as quick as your opponent, your positioning and concentration levels have to be perfect.
But Liverpool are so good at having their wide forwards come short and spinning at such a speed when the defenders have it.
It leaves you unsure whether to go with them or drop off — and it wears you down. He is so hard to mark and is another contender for Player of the Year.
CF: SERGIO AGUERO (Man City)
As an England fan, I would love to have Harry Kane as he is the hardest striker I’ve played against — but it has to be Aguero for his ridiculous goal-to-game ratio.
His movement is phenomenal, you don’t know where he is a lot of the time and his instincts are amazing.
I’m a strong defender, I win my fair share of 50-50s but his power really surprised me.
It confirmed that he is the complete striker.
Aguero has a dazed reaction in amazing behind-the-scenes tunnel footage after 2012 Premier League winning goal
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
