Every month journalists from each member of the European Sports Magazines group (ESM) vote for the 11 players who have impressed them the most from across the continent’s top leagues.
The players with the most votes make the overall team.
The magazines in the ESM are;
A Bola (Portugal), Don Balon (Spain), Fanatik (Turkey), Foot (Belgium), Gazetto Dello Sport (Italy), Kicker (Germany), Sport Express (Russia), Tips Bladet (Denmark), Voetball International (Holland) and World Soccer (UK).
There is no particular formation set – but generally they tend to try and name at least 3 defenders, 3 midfielders and 2 attackers, and always and only 1 goalkeeper.
The latest ESM team of the Month is;
Diego Lopez (Villarreal) – 4 votes
The ex-Real keeper has produced some solid performances, which have underpinned Villarreal’s unbeaten start to the season.
* He joined the Yellow Submarine last summer for £4M, but started off as second choice to Viera, but has now since the end of last season claimed his place in the 1st XI.
Jose Bosingwa (Chelsea) – 7 votes
The Portugal right-back made an impressive start to his new career in the Premiership under his old national team boss Luiz Felipe Scolari.
* The DR Congo born defender only cemented his 1st team place at Porto after Paulo Ferreira had moved to Chelsea – Bosingwa has since overtaken Ferreira for both Portugal and Chelsea.
Christian Panucci (Roma) – 4 votes
The veteran Italian defender s now 35 but weighed in with important contributions at both ends of the pitch in September.
* Panucci has an incredible list of former employers across Europe, including Real Madrid, Chelsea, and both Milan teams.
Maicon (Inter) – 3 votes
The Brazilian defender has continued where he left off last season for Internazionale, confirming his importance to new Nerazzurri coach Jose Mourinho.
Inter full-back Maicon Douglas (who was allegedly meant to be named Micheal Douglas), had signed for Man Utd in 2004, but the move fell through due to work permit problems.
Marek Hamšík (Napoli) – 3 votes
The Slovakian international has continued to impress in Serie A this season, scoring crucial goals from midfield.
Recently former Torino FC manager Walter Novellino stated that he would prefer Hamšík on his team over AC Milan forward Ronaldinho.
Mesut Ozil (Werder Bremen) – 4 votes
Werder might want the media to keep quiet about the 20-year-old, the midfielder was the Bundesliga’s outstanding performer in the opening weeks of the season.
The young German of Turkish decent has established himself in the Werder team this season and has scored three times already.
Rafael Van der Vaart (Real Madrid) – 6 votes
Despite only arriving in August, he settled very quickly in Madrid after his move from Hamburg. The Dutchman hit a superb hat-trick against Sporting Gijon, Which was the his first professionally.
Van der Vaart’s mother is actually Spanish and is one of five players from Holland at Real, possibly all helping to make his arrival such a smooth one.
Mauro Zarate (Lazio) – 7 votes
Birmingham City will be kicking themselves. The Argentinian youngster was the revelation of the first two months of the Italian season.
He may only be 21, but Zarate has already played for four different teams in four different countries – as well as three different continents.
Sergio Agüero (Atlético Madrid) – 5 votes
The young Argentine striker was outstanding as Atlético laid down an impressive marker in the Champions League.
Only 20 in the summer, Kun Agüero has already scored over 50 professional club goals. The expectant father will pass on some decent genes to a child that will have a certain Diego Maradona as Grandfather.
David Villa (Valencia) – 7 votes
The Spain striker put the summer transfer speculation well and truly behind him to shine for early-season pacesetters Valencia.
Los Che forward who was the Euro 2008 golden boot winner, has scored 9 this season so far, he has played only 9 games though.
Vedad Ibišević (Hoffenheim) – 4 votes
The Bosnian star of 1899 Hoffenheim’s meteoric rise to the top of the Bundesliga in their debut season, scoring goals from all over the pitch.
After at most only playing a season at each of his last five clubs, the 24-year-old has settled at Hoffenheim, this season he leads the German league in goals with 9 in 8 games.
