The Premier League season is one-quarter done (yes, already), so it’s time to roll out the team of the campaign, using a 4-1-3-2 formation. The holding midfielder is all the rage these days.

Goalkeeper: Shay Given (Manchester City).

For all the cash City spent on the likes of flashy trio Robinho, Emmanuel Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz, the best bit of business might have been nabbing the Irishman for a reported fee of £7 million last season. Villa’s Brad Friedel and Burnley’s Brian Jensen have been solid, although they’ve each made a blunder recently.

Fullbacks: Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea). Johnson was far too young to make an impact at Chelsea after joining from West Ham, but he’s been outstanding going forward for the Reds following his move from Portsmouth. Critics suggest his defensive work with England is too shabby (can’t have it all, eh?). Who’d have thought Cole, not Mr. Popular with many in England, would outscore Frank Lampard prior to Lamps’ double against Blackburn last weekend? Cole continues to be his usual energetic self.

Central Defenders: Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal), John Terry (Chelsea).

When Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger bought Vermaelen from Ajax, Gunners fans muttered, `Who?’ They probably thought they got another Philippe Senderos or Igors Stepanovs. Not so. Vermaelen, considerably shorter than the duo, has not only handled balls in the air, but he owns a left foot to rival teammate Robin van Persie. Still hugely influential, Terry hasn’t missed an EPL game. It’s a shame his longtime defensive partner, Ricardo Carvalho, is slipping.

Holding Midfielder: Gareth Barry (Manchester City).

Similar to Given, Barry is far from flashy. He has good instincts, rarely loses possession and his passes – long or short – are extremely accurate. He has so much more to offer than, let’s say, Liverpool’s combustible and completely one-dimensional Javier Mascherano.

Midfielders: Yossi Benayoun (Liverpool), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), James Milner (Aston Villa).

Where would Liverpool be without Benayoun, who struggled to get playing time for large chunks of last season? He’s the one creative midfielder Liverpool has – apart from Steven Gerrard – and has chipped in with four goals in all competitions. Fabregas has outshone Gerrard and Lampard, zipping passes left, right and center, controlling the midfield, and contributing five goals in all competitions. Too bad for Fabregas he has to share the midfield with Emmanuel Eboue and Abou Diaby. Milner doesn’t get much of the spotlight, but he works tirelessly, reads the game well and has wheels. His final balls hit the spot.

Strikers: Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Darren Bent (Sunderland). Chelsea fans better soak up Drogba’s goals now. Who knows how long before he starts sulking? Even if he doesn’t, he’ll be gone for the African Cup of Nations. Drogba is arguably the best current all-round striker in world football. Bent finally got his wish, released from his Tottenham misery, and can’t stop scoring for overachieving Sunderland. Bent and Kenwyne Jones comprise one of the best striking duos in the Premier League.