The nominations for the PFA Player of the Season have been revealed and whilst it would be difficult to contest the appearance of Samir Nasri, Scott Parker, Rafael van der Vaart, Gareth Bale, Carlos Tevez, Charlie Adam and Nemanja Vidic on the shortlist, some players may be feeling disappointed to not have been recognised for their achievements.
The Young Player award nominations contain an exciting list of promising stars including Jack Wilshere, Seamus Coleman, Nani, Javier Hernandez, Samir Nasri, Joe Hart and Gareth Bale, but there appear to be some glaring omissions from the group who surely should have been acknowledged.
Here is an alternative shortlist for both awards and the evidence to justify their inclusion…
Player of the Season:
Nani:
The Portuguese winger has scored 9 Premier League goals this season, at a rate of one in three, and is alone at the summit of the assists table with 18, with four others joint second placed on 11. He has scored as many as Samir Nasri and Charlie Adam, assisted more than Gareth Bale and been one of the stand-out influences on United’s title charge. Even Jamie Carragher revealed his appreciation by acknowledging the former Sporting Lisbon man’s “terrific season.” It is never easy to be noticeable in a team of stars but he has been the most creative force in the League leader’s campaign, and although his efforts are not as immediately obvious as Scott Parker’s in a struggling West Ham team, he certainly warrants a nomination for Player of the Season.
[ad_pod id=’unruly’ align=’right’]
Dimitar Berbatov:
The Bulgarian forward has scored just under a third of Manchester United’s 70 League goals this season which has propelled the Old Trafford club to within reach of a record 19th League Title. The much maligned striker has gone someway to repaying the £30.75million United invested in him in 2008 and his 22 goals have almost doubled his overall record during three years at the Red Devils. His tally leaves him top of the goal-scoring charts with a handful of games remaining and ahead of Carlos Teves who is nominated for the PFA Player of the Season honour.
Young Player of the Season:
Daniel Sturridge:
Although he has scored just once for Chelsea in the League since his move from Manchester City in 2009, Daniel Sturridge’s 6 goals in eight starts for Bolton have maintained the Wanderers’ European qualification challenge. The 21 year-old has also notched two goals for England’s under-21s this season and should certainly feel aggrieved at being overlooked in favour of say, Seamus Coleman. Not to say Coleman hasn’t had a terrific first full season at Goodison Park, better than most expected of the 22 year-old, but his 4 goals and 3 assists doesn’t represent glittering form for a continually struggling Everton side. Bolton started the season in fine form but were in danger of being dragged in to a relegation battle, having not won in seven Premier League games before Sturridge’s arrival. For his impact alone, Sturridge deserved a place amongst the nominees.
Andy Carroll:
11 goals in his first full season in the Premiership and a British record £35million move to England’s most successful club describes the extraordinary season Andy Carroll, who only turned 22 in January, has had. His eleven goals for Newcastle stabilised the St. James Park club in a healthy League position until a managerial change and his departure threw the Magpies’ campaign off course. His old club now seem to be well placed to avoid relegation for the second time in three years, and Carroll’s career has gone from strength to strength since the move, the highlight being his first England goal in a friendly against Ghana last month.
Follow Josh Sheridan on Twitter
[bet_365 type='odds' size='300' af_code='365_050711']
