La Liga Team of the Season

Sky Sports’ Spanish football expert Terry Gibson has picked his La Liga Team of the 2016/17 Season so far, and there are some interesting selections…

It has been another captivating campaign in Spain so far, with Real Madrid currently leading the way as they look to get their hands back on the title, while champions Barcelona are close behind their rivals.

Gibson, though, is keen to stress that his 4-2-3-1 line-up is not simply a collection of the best players in La Liga this season.

“There are a lot of players who are not in my half-season team because they have been injured,” Gibson told the La Liga Weekly podcast. “People like Andres Iniesta would be in my team, but have been too injured to be selected.”

So, check out Gibson’s picks and then let us know if you agree or disagree by leaving a comment at the bottom…

Goalkeeper: Sergio Asenjo

You look at the other goalkeepers in the league and talk about Keylor Navas being injured, and we traditionally give it to the goalkeeper who has conceded the least goals, which is normally an Atletico Madrid goalkeeper. But on this occasion it is Villarreal, who are the best team defensively in La Liga this season.

Three cruciate knee ligament injuries means Asenjo has really had to work hard, and I am not just saying that lightly, as he really has had to work hard to fight back from three potentially career-ending injuries. And to also fight back from being released from Atletico Madrid, then ending up on loan at Malaga and Villarreal, not always being first choice at Villarreal.

So to see him succeed, I am really pleased about that.

Right-back: Mario Gaspar

Because of the part he has played in all 16 games, he has been ever present in La Liga, while only letting in 11 goals. Gaspar got the nod over Dani Carvajal, who only played 10 games in La Liga.

Centre-back: Gerard Pique

In a Barcelona team that has stuttered this season, he has been outstanding at the back. And he has tried to lead them in games where they were struggling, getting forward and trying to get a goal, like against Celta Vigo and Malaga, where he got himself in the penalty area for the last 10 minutes. So he has been in really good form.

Centre-back Sergio Ramos

A player I have criticised, other people have criticised for being a little bit too complacent, but at long last – as no one has doubted his ability – he is showing some maturity. It was either him or Victor Ruiz and Ramos was my borderline cut-off point in terms of …

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