We're fast approaching that time of year again, the time of year where we go absolutely mental for everything BLUE! And with little more than three and a half weeks until the team is released, it's probably about time I got my a**e in gear and did a prediction on who I think should be in the FIFPro Team of the Year for 2014.

FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala: Monday 12th January 2015

The prediction is going to be released in stages, check at the end of the article for the upcoming release dates! Today we'll be starting off by whittling down the 5 goalkeeper nominees and the 20 defender nominees to just five players, so I've had to get my thinking cap on. Individual and team achievements for both club and country and statistics have been considered when selecting these players, as well as my personal opinion.

Enjoy folks, remember to let us know just HOW excited you are for this year's TOTY down in the comments!

GK: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich/Germany) - The concept of a ball playing goalkeeper, or a "sweeper-keeper", is one that's been around for quite a while now, see the legendary Rene Higuita for example. However, rarely is this concept adopted by a goalkeeper which such a huge physical presence and excellent shot-stopping abilities. Manuel Neuer is arguably unique in this sense; he combines the ability to almost be an 11th outfield player with that of being an incredible goalkeeper to great effect. In the past 12 months, he's been part of a Bayern Munich side that breezed to both the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal, as well as having played a key role in the the German side that won the 2014 World Cup. Neuer won the 2014 World Cup Golden Glove Award and was named in both the World Cup All-Star Team and Dream Team.

CDM: Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich/Germany) - He may have passed 30, but in the 2013/14 season Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola was willing to experiment with Philipp Lahm, by playing him as a defensive midfielder. He excelled in the role, captaining Bayern Munich to both the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal. He also briefly maintained his role as a defensive midfielder for Germany during the World Cup, until he eventually reverted to right back for the latter stages of the tournament, which again proved to be a success. He assisted two of Germany's 7 during their famous 7-1 thrashing of Brazil and then went on to captain and win his last ever game for Germany; the 1-0 win over Argentina in the World Cup final.

CB: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich/Germany) - It's another one from Bayern Munich I'm afraid, this is getting a little boring now isn't it? I joke, Jerome is another Germany who is fully deserving of a place in the Team of the Year. In 2013/14, he picked up from the under performing Dante and hasn't looked back; a rare error against Manchester City one of few stains on what has been a fantastic year for the former City man. What about Mats Hummels, I hear you cry? Yes, Hummels perhaps had a better World Cup and was named in both the All-Star Team and Dream Team, however, nothing more than decent Bundesliga performances for a stuttering Borussia Dortmund side mean I have opted for Boateng instead.

CB: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid/Spain) - Ill disciplined and arguably only included in this team for his goal scoring exploits, the Spaniard has had a mixed, albeit successful 2014. Numerous key goals toward the end of Real Madrid's 2013/14 campaign, in both La Liga and the Champions League, overshadowed the people questioning his defensive abilities. Ronaldo-less Real also went on the lift the Copa del Rey in 2013/14, thanks to that incredible late goal from Gareth Bale. The two goals against Bayern Munich in the 2nd leg of the Champions League semi-final propelled Real into the final against cross town rivals Atletico, during which Sergio scored again; a 90th minute equaliser that took the game to extra-time and the rest, as they say, is history. La Decima.

However his 2014 hasn't been perfect. Spain suffered an embarrassing World Cup campaign, being dumped out in the group stages after conceding five against the Dutch and losing to the Chileans. Real could also only manage 3rd in La Liga, finishing behind fierce rivals Barcelona and eventual champions Atletico Madrid. He's far from a certainty.

CB: Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid/Uruguay) - In my opinion, the centre half of 2014. As Barcelona and Real Madrid strengthened, Atletico Madrid did what seemed to be the impossible; They won the 2013/14 La Liga title, conceding a mere 26 goals in the process. This ended Barca and Real's 10 year domination of Spanish football. However, if that wasn't enough, Atleti tried to upset the Champions League too and they came oh so close; only the aforementioned Sergio Ramos and his late equaliser stopped them from doing so, after Diego Godin had in fact put them 1-0 up. Godin is another defender who enjoyed a prolific 2014, he notably scored the equaliser at the Camp Nou which earned Atletico the La Liga title, as well as Uruguay's late winner against Italy to send them through in the World Cup Round of 16.

Other possibilities: Thibaut Courtois (Atletico Madrid/Chelsea/Belgium), David Alaba (Bayern Munich/Austria), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund/Germany), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City/Belgium), Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain/Brazil)

Midfielders: Sunday 21st December

Attackers: Wednesday 24th December