Merry Christmas folks. Hoped you enjoyed yesterday’s preview to 26th’s hottest matches. Today we shall use the relaxed holiday atmosphere to select a pick of 11 solid players who’ve impressed us so much. Drum roll please: BUM-DA-BUM-DA-BUM: PL Analysis’s EPL Star Focus!

“Better hope I’m in this list, for your own sake”

1. Ben Foster (Goalkeeper)

In our goalie position, we’ve thought long and hard and come to the conclusion that not Alisson, not de Gea, not Ederson and not Rui Patricio deserve this spot.

Though they’ve all individually played an important role in their clubs so far, 35 year old Benny Foster deserves to be goalie of the 2018/19 season as it stands.

Gareth Southgate must be chewing furiously on his waistcoat that Big Ben doesn’t want a shot at international footy anymore, especially after Jordan Pickford’s recent poor form, because Foster has played an instrumental role in Watford’s current success and their hunt for a European place.

He’s now the Hornets no.1; Gomes now out of the spot, as his 18 appearances suggest. He’s made a whopping 49 saves, more than Kepa, Ederson, Alisson and Lloris, though these four don’t suffer the curse of playing with a back four of Kabasele, Cathcart and co. ( No offense big guys.).

Foster’s also made a penalty save, one that shocked Gylfi to the core, with his outstretched leg thumping the Iceland international’s kick away.

He’s had no errors leading to goals, has showed his ability to be a modern keeper with 20 sweeper clearances and his 165 accurate long balls.

But mere stats don’t show how good Ben is. His all-round performance against West Ham, including a De-Geaesque save to Snodgrass’s bullet header. Kudos Ben. You’ve deserve this. No award though. We’ve not got there yet.

Other decent options to this throne: Alisson, Rui Patricio and Joe Hart.

2. Andy Robertson. (Left-back)

If gwara-gwara dancing, World Cup winning Benji Mendy was still fit, this spot would have been all his. Alas, Injuries came to tango with the Man City left-back, so the Scotland captain will take his place instead.

Andy has been an absolute revelation following his move to Anfield from KCOM Stadium. He’s been the left back right wingers and right-backs fear, with his explosive pace, stamina, decent control and his pinpoint crossing.

He’s been a factor in Liverpool’s 11 clean sheets, with only 5 goals being shipped into Alisson’s net. He has a tackling accuracy of 62%, a 104 recoveries and has won 64 duels. He’s had no errors leading to goals and despite his short frame has won 7 aerial duels. But these are his defensive stats. He’s had 3 assists, over a 1000 passes, has created six big chances, 53 crosses, a 15% cross accuracy, and 33 accurate long balls. He’s also hit the wood-work once.

This is Andy Robertson. At least for Liverpool. For Scotland he’s been far, far, far, far, far, far, far, far, poorer. But this is a PL analysis site, not a UEFA Nations League one, so congrats Robby. This place is for you.

Other reasonable options: Chilwell, Shaw, Mendy, Marcos Alonso.

“Why so shocked bruv?”

Come back tomorrow to see who made the center back positions. The formation for this team is 4-3-3. (And one as well. Never leave out the goalie.)

Merry Christmas. If you haven’t got a gift, then treat yourself to other articles on PL Analysis. Tchau Tchau.