XI SERIES: ADIDAS PREDATOR

We at The Right Winger love boots. We also love football  so we have decided to put together our best XI. The twist is that the teams are boot specific. We start off our new ‘XI’ series with the Adidas Predator. Most players who wear Predators have gone across to wearing the new Predator X. There are however still quite a few stragglers.
So who gets into The Right Wingers dream Predator XI?

Strikers:
Dimitar Berbatov hasn’t been as big a hit at Old Trafford as some would like but his classy touch and silky skill can leave any defense wrapped around themselves.
Robin Van Persie is possibly the best striker in the Premier League. Often over looked because of the exploits of Torres, Rooney and the like, Van Persie is any defenders’ nightmare. Pace, power and hunger – a deadly combination.

Midfielders:
Steven Gerrard is pure class. Deny it all you want but Liverpool are a different side when their captain isn’t around. His powerful long range shots are a continuous threat.Gerrard never accepts defeat. He lives by the motto: ‘never say die’!
Anderson arrived with a big price tag but has perhaps failed to prove his worth consistently so far. He is still young and will master his trade in time. His energy enables him to cover kilometers while his tackles and passes can break down and launch attacks.
Antonio Valencia is fast. Any defender fears pace (except maybe Ashley Cole) and Valencia has bags of it. A good crosser and a tricky customer, he has recently found some scoring form after hardly finding the back of the net for Wigan.
Niko Kranjcar was one of Harry’s favourites at Portsmouth and a move to White Heart Lane wasn’t a surprise. Perfectly complimenting Aaron Lennon, Niko has quickly become a white hot, White Heart favourite.

Defenders:
Micah Richards is strong, fast and hard. Although often deployed in central defense, we think that his best position is right back. Great going forward and tough to get past at the back, Micah could be England’s future.
Jamie Carragher is a Liverpool legend. Those legs may not be what they used to be but you won’t see him giving up easily. He maybe hasn’t had the best season (compared to last season) but he is still as solid as a tower.
Thomas Vermaelen came out of nowhere to be the darling of the Emirates. A defender who can score is not an everyday discovery. Arsène Wenger has a way of discovering gems. Thomas is one of his best finds.
Leighton Baines is not the first name that springs to mind when you think of left backs. The Everton fullback is in sparkling form after a slow start on Merseyside. A great crosser and solid defender. Ashley Cole’s injury could see Leighton receive an England call up.

Goalkeeper:
Edwin Van Der Sar just keeps going. At 39 you may think his best is behind him. That theory is proved wrong every weekend when he dons the number 1 for Manchester United. Fergie must fear his retirement.

The bench (or special mention):
Ledley King
Morten Gamst Pederson
Dirk Kuyt
Tim Cahill
Michael Ballack

Who do you think should be part of Predator’s XI?