With the prestigious PFA Awards Dinner only six weeks away, the voting process is currently well under way. To receive any kind of recognition, as a footballer is an honour, but to be acknowledged by your fellow professionals is the ultimate accolade, and one that is cherished most by the players themselves. Every professional footballer is sent a form to vote for their idea of the Young Player of the Year and Player of the Year. There are six nominations for both categories and the first three are announced on the night of the dinner itself. Members also nominate players from their own league for a 'team of the year' - the Divisional Award Winners. No doubt there will be widespread debate in the pubs and clubs as to who is worthy of a place in the Premiership 'all star XI', but, for the record, here is my selection for this season's Premiership 'dream team'.
Carlo Cudicini
The Chelsea goalkeeper has been in outstanding form and the Italian has played a major role in the Blues' successful season. The former AC Milan and Lazio stopper has gained a reputation as a magnificent shot-stopper and he would be my selection in between the sticks, just beating off the challenge of Blackburn's Brad Friedel and Manchester United's Fabien Barthez.
Lauren
The Cameroon international joined Arsenal from Real Mallorca for £7.2 million in 2000, and over the last two seasons the elegant 26-year-old has made the right back birth at Highbury his own. A dynamic forward runner, Lauren gets my vote ahead of England internationals Danny Mills and Gary Neville.
Ashley Cole
Still only 22, Ashley Cole has had another outstanding campaign and his surging runs down the left flank make him the ideal attacking full back. Already an England regular, Cole looks to have a tremendous career ahead of him and he is preferred to the consistent Wayne Bridge of Southampton and Manchester United's Mikael Silvestre.
Sol Campbell
After making the controversial move from Spurs to Arsenal, Campbell has developed into one of the outstanding central defenders in Europe. The 28-year-old had an excellent World Cup and has followed that up with another exceptional season at the heart of the Gunners' defence.
William Gallas
Galas joined Chelsea from Marseilles in 2001 for a fee of £6.2 million and began his Chelsea career at right before being switched to a more central role. A player who reads the game well and possessing electrifying pace, the stylish Frenchman has been in great form for Claudio Ranieri's side this term.
Patrick Vieira
Signed from AC Milan in 1996 for just £3.5 million, Vieira is unquestionably one of the bargain buys of the last decade. Tall, lean with bags of energy and great close control, Vieira would not look out of place in any midfield in the world.
Juan Veron
After a difficult first season at Old Trafford the Argentinean international has began to show the kind of form that prompted Sir Alex Ferguson to invest £28.1million for his services. A supremely talented midfielder with a wide range of passing skills, Veron for me, would be the ideal partner for Vieira in the midfield engine room.
David Beckham
The England captain remains the best crosser of a ball in the world and he has pitched in with a number of crucial goals for the Reds this season. Now fully recovered from the broken bone in his foot that hampered his World Cup preparation, there are signs to suggest that Beckham is getting back to his brilliant best.
Robert Pires
The French international has recovered brilliantly from a cruciate ligament reconstruction and appears to be back to his imperious best. The 29-year-old possesses wonderful close control and vision and was voted in last season's Premiership team of the year, that despite missing the last couple of months through injury.
Alan Shearer
The former England international has led the line magnificently for Newcastle this season and his 21 goals have been a major reason why the Magpies are challenging at the top of the Premiership. Shearer's recent hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen was the 15th of his illustrious career.
Thierry Henry
Henry has had another truly brilliant season and the French international is many people's idea of this year's Player of the Year. With breathtaking pace and wonderful close control, Henry is arguably the best striker currently playing in Europe. Other strikers who could easily have been included are Ruud Van Nistelrooy and the evergreen Gianfranco Zola.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? How many of Shaily's selections do you agree with? Who have been the Premiership's top performers this season? Send your Premier League dream team to smudger@givemefootball.com
