Player of the Year Contenders
Tuesday, 17 March 09, 07:28 AM · Comments(10)
Spring sees football players and writers alike scratch their heads and try to work out who has been the season's best performer (the players probably do more scratching). Students of the Game runs the rule over the contenders.
Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United)
Still the bookies' favourite, despite Saturday's calamitous showing against Liverpool. He was exposed by arguably the world's best striker, but if his side go on to win the title it'll be Vidic's countless exceptional displays that will be remembered. And in a season with no truly outstanding forward, it has been United's incredible run of clean sheets that has shaped the way the table currently lies.
Ryan Giggs (Manchester United)
The nostalgia fan's favourite, the evergreen Welshman has been endorsed by several pundits, including the BBC's Alan Hansen. Giggs has certainly been impressive during United's post-November run, excelling in his new central role while recapturing, in flashes, some of his teenage brilliance. He's also maintained his record of having scored in every Premier League season along the way. But can a player who has started less than a third of his side's matches really be considered for the award?
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
Gerrard still has his critics, but Liverpool's top scorer has been as consistent as ever throughout his side's Premier League challenge. And his recent performances against Manchester United and Real Madrid will be fresh in the minds of voters. He has, however, been shorn of his partner in crime Fernando Torres for half the campaign, and with just nine games left it looks like his side will yet again fall short in the title race.
Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
With Essien out, Drogba misfiring, Ballack inconsistent and Anelka having scored just once in 2009, it has fallen on Lampard to inspire last year's nearly men to go one better. With his Premier League goal tally again in double figures, Lampard's renewed partnership with Essien will be crucial if the Blues are to overhaul Manchester United.
Ashley Young (Aston Villa)
Villa's season is in grave danger of petering out, which would be hugely disappointing for a club that looked like infiltrating the Big Four until just a few weeks ago. Martin O'Neill's settled side has been a blessing and, latterly, a curse, but of their small squad Young has been the star. Despite his manager's claims, he's not up there with Messi yet, but he has been very, very good in a season that promised so much for Villa.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Right up there in the betting, despite being nowhere near as potent as last season. Perhaps he's been a victim of his previous standards, though, as he's still managed better than a goal every other game in the Premier League, and provides the greatest attacking threat in a team going for the "quintuple".
Other names in the frame with the bookies: Rio Ferdinand, Edwin van der Sar, Wayne Rooney, Stephen Ireland, Fernando Torres, Robin van Persie, Robinho.
Like this blog? Help spread the word: 
-
Amaster said:My favourite female gladiator is Lightning and my favourite male is Hunter. :) ...
tomcruise said:Its very good .. I like it
student loans consolidation
On Wenger's experiment: The good, the bad and the Verminator
-
studentsofthegame
GB
We really should be getting paid for this.
10 Comments · Add yours
Sad to say, as an Arsena fan, there isn't one who should make that list. Perhaps Arshavin if he'd joined us in the summer. Robin Van Persie is as close as we're likely to get, but even then, there have ben far superior players in other teams...as much as it pains me to admit it...next year tho...lol
Vidic doesn't deserve it because he's a thug who has twice been sent off for professional fouls. Yes the Manchester UTD defence has been amazing but that's down to fantastic organisation, not individual performances.
Giggs doesn't deserved it because the award is for best player of the season, not best player of a third of it.
I think it should probably go to Lampard. He's carried Chelsea at times, is always a goal threat and is the only player to play consistently at the top of his game this season.
Honourable mentions for Mark Schwarzer (who's done much more goalkeeping than Van der Sar), Joleon Lescott and Mikel Arteta. I'd have to go for Gerrard myself. In a Liverpool side that often looks toothless without Torres, he's been a constant threat. His performances in Europe have been particularly impressive.
Some good shouts there. I'd add Tim Cahill to the Everton contingent - no coincidence that he missed their terrible start to the season.
I wonder if the players are more imaginative than the bookies...
hmmm young looks good, gerrard 2, ronaldo a little disappointing buy heyy hes still a monster uhh cahil, mikel areta, and barry aiight but maybe robinho, torres, elano, V-persie, cesc,and defff lampard are choices
Reply to Joel87:
Mark Schwarzer, eh idk but good with steviee
Reply to Stuart:
hmmm very true good choice
OH SHIT I FORGOT THE AGRRESIVE ONE ROOOOONNNNEYY IS A CHOICE AS WELL!
bein a manunited faN ronaldo es da best 4 dat!!
Reply to zeeshan:
With out a doubt Gerrard is playing the best football in the world right now. This guy is the reason that Liverpool have a chance at winning the BPL this year. Gerrard is scoring goals like no tomorrow, and unlike other players (Ronaldo), will actually get back and play some deffense, Gerrard is the man at Liverpool, and he should be given the chance to be the man for England.
Steven Gerrard- Footballer of the Year!!