Portuguese Liga XI of the Season: 2010/11

When deciding on the format of this post, I debated the selection criteria for some time. In a season where FC Porto showed themselves to be streets ahead of the competition, electing to draw the team of the season from the Dragons' ranks (along with three, perhaps four players from other clubs) would have been justifiable, and in all probability would have produced a superior outfit.

But that, frankly speaking, would be a little boring and more than a little disrespectful to the other fifteen teams in the Liga who, in their own ways, contributed to what's been a fascinating season, for all that the identity of the title winners was all but certain after the opening month. One player per club. Them's the rules.

Goalkeeper: Rui Patrício (Sporting)

Not a particularly difficult choice, this. Patrício has been the number one at Sporting since 2007, but for all that he has been associated with Europe's elite clubs for a while now, it was only this season that he began to resemble the type of goalkeeper that one can imagine commanding the biggest stages. A new-found composure, combined with the outstanding reflexes that have always been there, have seen the 23 year-old lay a strong claim to the Portuguese jersey. It's tough to imagine how bad Sporting's season would have been without him.

Centre-back: Danielson (Nacional)

Nacional secured European football with the joint-second best defence in the Liga, and the fulcrum of that back line was indisputably Danielson, signed from Paços in the summer of 2010. Present for every minute of every Liga fixture, the Brazilian provided both defensive solidity and the occasional goal threat, with a late equaliser at home to Sporting a particularly memorable moment. The Madeira club will do well to hold on to him for next season.

Centre-back: Paulão (Braga)

Braga's heroic exploits in Europe this season have been the subject of numerous column inches of late, and in truth, any one of their back four could have made the grade here. But Paulão nicks it mainly due to the player he replaced. The departure of the talismanic Moisés to the Middle East left a gap not only in terms of defensive nous, but in terms of leadership. Paulão, a bit-part player in 2009/10, has stepped into the breach with more than a little success. A calm, decisive presence at the back, he has produced the form of his career during a demanding five months. Outstanding.

Right-back: Alex (Vitória de Guimarães)

Handed the armband of late by Manuel Machado, Alex has been a model of consistency in a Guimarães side that has sometimes struggled to find a balance between defensive caution and attacking threat. Not as technically adept as his counterpart on the left (Bruno Teles), Alex has nevertheless been an outlet for his colleagues in all areas of the pitch. Outstanding levels of stamina and a powerful physical presence.

Left-back: Fábio Coentrão (Benfica)

It says a lot when one could reasonably conclude that the fate of a club president depends on the departure of a player. After a stellar title-winning 09/10, Fábio Coentrão has this term endeared himself to the Benfica faithful still further. Devastating when appearing from deep, and in possession of an unerring eye for a cross, the youngster from Vila do Conde looks set for the very top of world football. His unwavering commitment to the cause sometimes manifests itself in loss of control, but for Benfiquistas, he has been a bright spot in a season which has generally been devoid of them.

Midfielder: Djamal (Beira-Mar)

One of the season's more remarkable achievements was Beira-Mar (promoted as Liga de Honra champions but with no funds and a coach with just one season of professional experience to his name) securing safety with four rounds remaining. Whilst coach Leonardo Jardim deserves great credit, the presence of Djamal in the trinco role provided a priceless additional line of defence, replicating the outstanding form of the previous title-winning campaign. Strong, positionally adept and a reliable distributor of the ball, the Braga-bound Libyan international will be sorely missed by Rui Bento in 2011/12.

Midfielder: Leonel Olímpio (Paços de Ferreira)

The creative stylings of young David Simão were a joy to behold, but the buzzing, incessant industry of Leonel Olímpio represented the true heart of Rui Vitória's memorable side. Capable of both tracking back and driving moves forward, Olímpio was an all-action presence in the centre of the park, and thoroughly deserves his move to the bigger stage with Guimarães.

Midfielder: João Moutinho (FC Porto)

The signing of the season? 11M € is megabucks for an internal transfer, but Moutinho's performances since arriving from Sporting have more than justified the Dragons' outlay. Replacing Raul Meireles as the driving force in the Porto midfield, Moutinho's progress has been remarkable. Having suffered for his versatility at the Alvalade, the diminutive midfielder was given a clear role by André Villas Boas, and has reaped the benefits. His mastery and awareness of both ball and space are unsurpassed in Portugal, and whilst his colleagues have attracted attention from abroad, Moutinho is surely the most accomplished member of Porto's squad.

Forward: Paulo Sérgio (Olhanense)

Though a rotten 2011 saw Olhanense tumble down the table and eventually only secure safety with two rounds remaining, things may have been much worse for Daúto Faquirá's side were it not for the temperamental but talented Sérgio. A former Sporting prospect who lost his way, the wide man carried almost the entire creative burden in an Olhanense squad desperately lacking a goalscorer. That Olhanense secured their highest-ever Liga finish despite only scoring twenty-four goals is a testament to his contribution.

Forward: Baba (Marítimo)

Another forward at a largely unheralded outfit, Baba, like Paulo Sérgio, provided the guile and goalscoring instincts that his colleagues were unable to produce, and near single-handedly steered his club out of waters that were threatening to turn distinctly choppy. A converted centre-forward fielded out wide by Pedro Martins, the Senegalese managed to contribute to both the construction and execution of moves, combining speed, physical strength and an above-average eye for goal. His partners up front (Kléber and Djalma) have attracted interest from Porto, but in terms of reliability, Baba was the far more impressive of the trio in 2010/11.

Forward: João Tomás (Rio Ave)

The man who put the old in old-fashioned centre-forward. A man who will turn thirty-six this coming Friday has no right to be coming off his most prolific campaign in a decade, let alone one which saw him don the colours of the entertaining but largely unfancied Rio Ave. Yet as João Tomás enters the twilight of his career, he can (along with Nuno Gomes) legitimately lay claim to being the best Portuguese centre-forward still playing. Whilst that doesn't exactly reflect well on the nation's ability to produce ponta da lanças, there can be no doubt that Tomás deserves every credit for a stellar season. The Portuguese Pippo Inzaghi (that's a compliment).

Well, that's it for the 2010/11 season, at least in the top flight. Over the next couple of weeks, I'll take a look at how and where the sixteen teams competing in the Liga next season might be strengthening (or otherwise) for the new campaign.