Rio Ferdinand has named his best XI for the first half of the Premier League season.
The 2024-2025 campaign has already delivered some compelling stories as we reach the halfway mark.
In their first season in almost a decade without Jürgen Klopp in the dugout, Liverpool have emerged as early title favourites, with Arne Slot's side in quite good shape with a six-point lead at the top of the table and a game in hand.
In the chase, Chelsea appear to be revitalized under Enzo Maresca, while Arsenal make another attempt to win the title.
Meanwhile, despite another strong start, Manchester City are in the midst of their worst ever run since Pep Guardiola took over the reins.
On Saturday, Ferdinand joined Jody Morris, Joel Beya and his former Manchester United teammate Owen Hargreaves, with the group tasked with reaching a consensus on a team of the season so far.
Gunners goalkeeper David Raya was the first to make the team, despite protests from Beya that Liverpool's Caoimhin Kelleher deserved a look after impressing as a replacement for the injured Alisson.
The group was unanimous when it came to centre-backs, with Virgil van Dijk and William Saliba getting the nod.
Saliba's Arsenal teammate Gabriel ultimately missed the ball, with Ferdinand claiming the Brazilian had been 'unlucky' not to find a place in the team.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was joined by Marc Cucurella in the full-back positions, while former Chelsea midfielder Morris insisted Arsenal's Jurrien Timber was also worth considering.
Moises Caicedo and Ryan Gravenberch earned the midfield spots, with the group opting for a front three that played behind a lone striker.
After a prolific start to the campaign, Mohamed Salah came in on the right, partnering Cole Palmer in the centre.
A debate ensued over who would play on the left, with Bukayo Saka ultimately selected out of position to ensure he did not miss out on a place.
The final piece of the puzzle came in the form of Erling Haaland, who has enjoyed a thunderous start to the season but has struggled with City's dip in form in recent weeks.
Despite Liverpool suffering just one league defeat under Slot, Ferdinand insisted Enzo Maresca has had the most impressive managerial campaign to date.
“Arne Slot was great, don't get me wrong,” he said on Rio Ferdinand Presents.
'But he has taken over a very good team, a stable team, a stable club. The manager said he can prepare months before he leaves and has not gone crazy in terms of recruitment in the transfer window.
'[Slot] already comes in a well-oiled machine, but still stutters a bit. [He] tweaked a few things, nothing crazy, which I guess is an art in itself, which I give them credit for, and they fly.
'Maresca ended up in a circus. We talked about how they were in great form before the end of last season. But still, kamikazee circus season, right? Everyone goes, “where they're going to go. They could finish 20th, they could finish 10th, they could finish second.” Everywhere.
'Having to deal with saga after saga [he] absolutely right the ship and they fly. Most chances created, most shots on target, most goals, etc., entertaining to watch, all of it.”
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