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It's halfway point in the Spanish league, so a fine time to reflect on the brightest stars of the season so far, but with a twist. Seeing as Real Madrid and Barcelona hog the limelight on a near permanent basis, a velvet rope has been pulled tight to hold back the big two's fancy pants players and allow a best eleven of the rest of la Liga into the column's VIP zone, in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Goalkeeper - Roberto Jiménez, Zaragoza
Whilst tis true that Zaragoza are bottom of the table with just twelve points, two wins and 33 goals conceded, it could have been an awful lot worse for a team destined to slip into la Segunda, without some brilliant performances from Roberto along the way. The keeper joined Zaragoza from Benfica for €8m - the question of how a club in administration can afford this is an interesting, third-party owned point - has pulled out big save after big save to prevent a truly appalling season for Zaragoza being a truly, truly appalling one.
Left-back - Jordi Alba, Valencia
Spain's tricky left-back problem is probably an issue no more after a fine season and a half from the 21-year-old former winger who can cover an entire flank need be. And this is precisely why the Catalan is set to move the Camp Nou over the summer, where he first began his career as a wee nipper.
Centre-back - Sergio Ballesteros, Levante
There were cries, songs and a Twitter campaign for the 36-year-old defender to be called up to the Spain squad - and many of them were very serious indeed. Levante are still hanging onto fourth spot after a remarkable 12 months for the club, lead brilliantly by a veteran footballer whose Youtube clip of him out-sprinting Cristiano Ronaldo is a modern medical miracle.
Centre-back - Adil Rami, Valencia
The French international has moved into Valencia's new look central defence from Lille and made the men from Mestalla considerably tighter at the back than last season. Tall, strong and remarkably quick, Rami is an intimidating presence in the box at both ends of the field.
Right-back - Andoni Iraola, Athletic Bilbao
There's been no single outstanding player in this position in the first half of the campaign eligible for the list - heck even Real Madrid have had about six different men filling in - but the sometimes Spanish international can best be described as having been solid for much of the current campaign.
Centre-midfield - Diego Ribas, Atlético Madrid
The former Werder Bremen man was once a cracking footballer back in the day. But those moments seemed lost forever before the Brazilian moved on-loan to Atlético Madrid in the summer to get his career going again. Nearly impossible to knock of the ball despite his size, two quick feet, a killer pass and a decent finish, when Diego plays well, so do the Rojiblancos.
Centre-midfield - Javi Fuego, Rayo Vallecano
The Rayo man is fifth on the ranking for winning the most balls in la Primera this season - not a bad achievement for a midfielder. At times, you barely notice the 28-year-old doing his job due to its lack of fuss and nonsense as he protects the back four, wins the ball and distributes it as soon as possible. Javi Fuego is one of the key reasons why Rayo's start to the season has not been as tough as it might have been.
Forward - Abdel Barrada, GetafeThere's a reason why scouts currently outnumber fans in Getafe's Coliseum stadium this season, and that's the performances of the 21-year-old Moroccan who joined the Madrid club from PSG in 2010. An awful lot of players were brought into the squad over the summer playing in Abdel's position, but its the rampaging, tricksy youngster who is attracting all the attention after 13 starts and three goals.
Forward - Michu, Rayo Vallecano
A bit of a personal favourite. There's no way the striker who scored within 15 seconds of the start of Rayo's clash at Real Madrid in the Bernabeu will be in Vallecas next season. Tall, strong, tireless and versatile - tremendously 'English' say fans - big things are going to happen to Rayo's big fella up front who has knocked in eight goals this season.
Forward - Juanlu, Levante
Arda Turan of Atlético Madrid nearly snuck into this spot, but it's the 32-year-old who is has been having the season of his life for Levante who tucks in on the right hand side. Six goals from the balding busy-body including two against Villarreal in October to plonk Levante at the top of the league makes the forward the club's equal top scorer. This makes a broken leg suffered in December a tragedy for both the club and player, who may never find such magnificent form again.
Striker - Roberto Soldado, Valencia
Fernando Torres' Candyman, the saviour of the Spanish strike force after the injury to David Villa in the World Cup Championship, Valencia's goal poacher extraordinaire who has popped in 12 in la Liga this season and eight more in the Champions League and Spanish Cup. It's a record that the Chelsea man and Soldado's rival for a Euro 2012 spot would take until 2078 to achieve at current speed of knots.
Tim Stannard
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