Five Premier League midfielders have been included in the 15-man shortlist for the World Players’ Union, FIFPro, and Fifa World XI 2012.
The list of midfielders comes after the shortlist of five goalkeepers and 20 defenders was revealed earlier this month, with a further list of 15 forwards to be announced on Friday November 29.
Chelsea veteran Frank Lampard was rewarded for his performances during the Blues’ Champions League and FA Cup double success earlier this year.
Meanwhile, Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has been included after some impressive performances for club and country, whilst Chelsea’s summer-signing Eden Hazard also features having had a fine season with French side Lille.
Yaya Toure and David Silva – both of Premier League champions Manchester City – complete the quintet from the English top-flight.
They will be competing with the likes of Barcelona’s Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta, Andrea Pirlo of Juventus and Xabi Alonso of Real Madrid for a place in the final XI to be announced on January 9 2013.
Full 15-player midfield shortlist:
Xabi Alonso (Spain / Real Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Spain / FC Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Spain / FC Barcelona), Steven Gerrard (England / Liverpool), Eden Hazard (Belgium / Chelsea), Andres Iniesta (Spain / FC Barcelona), Frank Lampard (England / Chelsea), Luka Modric (Croatia / Real Madrid), Mesut Özil (Germany / Real Madrid), Andrea Pirlo (Italy / Juventus), Franck Ribery (France / Bayern Munich), David Silva (Spain / Manchester City), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany / Bayern Munich), Yaya Touré (Ivory Coast / Manchester City), Xavi Hernandez (Spain / FC Barcelona).
Meanwhile, two players who ply their trade in England feature in the goalkeeping list, as Chelsea’s Petr Cech and Manchester City’s Joe Hart both make an appearance.
And, in the 20-man shortlist for defence, Chelsea’s entire back-four of Ashley Cole, David Luiz and John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic all feature alongside four other Premier League players.
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