grosvenor house
The Professional Footballers’ Association has listed five Manchester United players for the running of the player of the year award – Rio Ferdinand, Ryan Giggs, Cristiano Ronaldo, Edwin van der Sar and Nemanja Vidic. The only player from another team is Liverpool’s captain, Steven Gerrard. No room for the other Premier League top-scorer, Chelsea’s Nicolas Anelka or his team-mate Frank Lampard. Or Everton’s Mikel Arteta who was on a brilliant run until the season ending injury.
I’m guessing van der Sar is just there because of the records he’d broken because I, personally believe Pepe Reina is a better goal-keeper.
As for the nominess for the PFA young player of the year award, Rafael Da Silva and Jonny Evans are on the list. Joining the Manchester United pair are Aston Villa’s Gabriel Agbonlahor & Ashley Young, Manchester City’s Stephen Ireland and Tottenham’s Aaron Lennon. No room for Arsenal’s ever-present young midfielder, Neves Denilson.
FYI. “But Gerrard could benefit from a split vote for United players as David Ginola did during their 1999 treble-winning season – an outcome that annoyed Ferguson.” Man Utd dominate PFA awards list.
Only Barack Obama more popular than Man Utd’s Ronaldo on Facebook.
I’m a big united fan but I think there are others who deserve a place on that shortlist. What it should look like:
Phil Jagielka (Everton)
Brede Hangeland (Fulham)
Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
Nemandja Vidic (Man Utd)
Javier Mascherano (Liverpool)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Oh look at that, i’m biased after all)
My pick as below
Mikel Arteta
Nemanja Vidic
Steven Gerrard
Frank Lampard
Antonio Valencia
Clint Dempsey
Basically I pick what I think are the best players of the season for teams that are doing better than expected this season. Ronaldo has done naught and Man Utd have been better at 1-0 than 4-0
the main reason why there are 5 man utd players are in the list is because the voting for the candidates ended in february, so whoever played well til that month would get included. which is kinda unfair, as arsene wenger pointed out in this interview – http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article2377061.ece
Vidic is a good defender, but seems the least likely to win, he’s got too many cards compared to the others. Gerrard’s current form is far better than the united players, but is sidelined with injury. one thing is sure, ronaldo wont be the winner again, he’s been really poor this season, except for some occasional brilliance. VDS is good only when he has a good defence protecting him, while reina, almunia and cech can get out of even the most difficult situations, but also give away cheap goals as most goalies do ;)