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| PFA POTY NOMINEES 2013 (Photo-PA/Getty/Action Images) |
When the nominees for the 2013 PFA player of the Year award was announced, eyebrows were raised, tongues were wagged and a lot of people expressed dismay at the intentional exclusion of MIGUEL PEREZ CUESTA aka Michu from the list of the six best performers in the League over the past eight months. Luis Suarez is worthy of the recognition he has gotten from his teammates. He leads the scorers chart with 23 goals and 30 in all competitions...thus becoming the 1st Liverpool player since Fernando Torres to hit that figure in 5 years. Robin Van Persie is not far behind. The Dutchman's 25 goals (21 in the League) have catapulted Manchester United to the top of the Premier League. Although a 10-game scoreless streak might dent his hopes of reclaiming the gong he won last season fair and square. Juan Mata has contributed to the bulk of Chelsea's goals this season. 18 goals and a staggering 33 assists in all competitions for the blues already is no small accomplishment. His contribution to the Pensioners relative success cannot be over emphasized. Gareth Bale has been phenomenal for the lilywhites this season. 18 EPL goals and some amazing displays alongside, have instantly made him firm favourite for the main award and the Young POTY award for which he is also a nominee. It can be argued that the Welshman only started glittering two months ago and over the entire season, he hasn't performed consistently. Same argument could be put up against RVP.
Michael Carrick's nomination is no surprise at all. The best deep lying playmaker in England has been immaculate all season. His passing, tackling and off the ball abilities have been praise worthy and notable. He has made 900+ forward passes this campaign...More than any other player in Europe's top five Leagues. He also has multiple assists to his name, including important goals like the one against Stoke last weekend. Eden Hazard has been a revelation for Chelsea this season. The Belgian star has been top notch on the average. Some spectacular performances have seen his fellow pros select him as a contender for the highest individual award a player can get in the Premier League..The FWA will not enjoy that. Nevertheless, he does not deserve to be on the list when Michu is absent. The Spaniard has scored 21 goals for Swansea this season and he was instrumental to his team's Capital One Cup triumph. He also scored vital goals against Arsenal at the Emirates, Chelsea at the Bridge, Manchester United at the Liberty stadium, to mention but a few. Overlooking the bargain buy of the Century is gross injustice. At two Million Pounds, the ex-Rayo star has excelled with flying colours since his two goal salvo on his debut versus Queens Park Rangers. He is supposed to be competing for the top individual honour in the Land.
Other honourable mentions are Santi Cazorla, Leighton Baines, and Pablo Zabaleta.. The trio have stood up and played very well this season. The Argentine full back is surely the best right back in the Premier League and Manchester City's most consistent performer.
For the Young player of the year category, Messrs Welbeck and Wilshere were astonishingly included in the six man shortlist. Incomprehensible to say the least. How those two got anywhere there is still puzzling to everyone except blind Arsenal and MUFC fans. Players like Matija Nastasic (Manchester City), Rafa Da Silva (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Southampton), and James McCarthy (Wigan) were wrongly overlooked. Hazard and Bale were also nominated for this award for reasons best known to those involved with the PFA.
Whatever happens on the 28th, we know these awards are a facade. Whoever picks up the plaques on offer might/might not have deserved it. Good luck to all those in the running.
Ohireime P Eboreime
ff me on Twitter @ohiskaka1990
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