Friday 8 April 2011

PFA Awards - Part 1


Early today, the Professional Football Association announced their nominees for the Barclays Premier League awards for both Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year.

Real Talk Football takes a look at the nominees in each category, starting with the Player of the Year award.

Players nominated for both awards

Two players have been nominated in both categories, both of which ply their trade in North London. Arsenal’s Samir Nasri and Tottenham’s Gareth Bale.

All stats and information is correct as of the 8th March 2011.


Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur)

Age: 21
League Apps: 25 (1) League Goals: 7 goals

The Welshman has continued his development from last year, and impressed both domestically and internationally. Bale has played in 26 matches this season, and has scored a career best of 7 goals.

He has been in captivating form this season and made the Tottenham left midfield berth his own. Some notable performances this season include the 2-3 fight back win over rivals Arsenal, the two decisive winners in the 2-1 win against Stoke, as well as a hat trick against Inter Milan in a 4-3 defeat in the San Siro.

Injuries saw him miss six weeks of the Premier League campaign, while speculation regarding his future have seen his performances tail-off towards the business end of the season.


Samir Nasri (Arsenal)

Age: 23
League Apps: 24 (2) League Goals: 9

The Frenchman has had a breakthrough year at Arsenal, and internationally with France as well. He has a career record total of 9 goals, and was named France captain despite being left out of the World Cup squad.

Nasri has scored an array of goals displaying fantastic acceleration and technical ability, along with a wonderful goal against rivals Spurs, against Manchester City, and both goals in the 2-1 win over Fulham.

After much criticism for Arsenal midfielders not scoring enough goals, he has finally added this dimension to his game. Nasri, similar to Bale is another who’s performances have tailed off towards the latter stages of the season, and his anonymity in the Carling Cup final was something which disappointment many, as that was seen as a great opportunity for Nasri to showcase his ability.

PFA Player of the Year
Link


Charlie Adam (Blackpool)

Age: 25
League Apps: 28 (1) League Goals: 9

For a player from a promoted team to be nominated for the Player of the Year Award, it is testament to how impressive both Ian Holloway and his Blackpool side have performed this season.

Charlie Adam has the same amount of goals as fellow nominee Samir Nasri this season, chipping in with vitals goals in the 2-1 win over Liverpool, 3-1 win over Tottenham and two key goals (including a sensational free-kick) in a 2-2 draw against relegation rivals Blackburn Rovers. He also has six assists to his name this season.

The only blight on his maturing career with The Seasider’s, is the persistent transfer rumours linking him with a move away to Liverpool. Adam handed in a transfer request during the January transfer window, but Blackpool rejected the request.


Scott Parker (West Ham United)

Age: 31
League Apps: 29 League Goals: 5

Captain Marvell. One of the most influential and hard working players in the Premiership, has finally received the well deserved plaudits, and has subsequently found himself back in the England squad.

With West Ham in the midst of a relegation battle, no one is writing off the Hammers chances of staying up, and that’s because of players like Scott Parker. A demonstration of his courage was playing in the 0-0 draw against Tottenham, just a few hours after his father passed away.

Finally, striker Carlton Cole led the plaudits back in February after a rousing half-time team talk which inspired the Hammers to come from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 with West Brom.


Carlos Tevez (Manchester City)

Age: 27
League Apps: 27 League Goals: 19

The controversial Argentinean has been one of the top strikers in the Premiership, and is just 4 goals away from equalling his tally from last season. He scored the winning goal in the 1-0 win over title rivals Chelsea, as well as a hat trick against West Brom and four doubles this season (against Liverpool, Blackpool, Newcastle and Wolves).

Manchester City currently sit third in the league, and Tevez continues to outshine other big money signings Mario Balotelli and Eden Dzeko, and lead Manchester City to their first UEFA Champions League campaign.


Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United)

Age: 29
League Apps: 29 League Goals: 4

The Manchester United captain has been the stand out performer for the Red Devils this season, and has received the plaudits for holding together a depleted back four. His no nonsense style is highly impressive, while his strong tackling and physical ability has been as impressive as ever, and is rightly regarded as one of the best defenders in the world.

He has however, had a few shaky performances this season, and Manchester United have only the fourth best defensive record in the Premiership, which means Vidic should be considered a dark horse for the award.


Rafael van der Vaart (Tottenham Hotspur)

Age: 28
League Apps: 21 League Goals: 10

Signing of the season? Without a doubt. The Dutchman transfered from Real Madrid for a snippet (in terms of today’s transfer market) at just £8 million. He has featured in 21 games this season, and scored 10 goals. He is the highest scoring midfielder of all nominees.

He scored a brace in the 2-1 win of Aston Villa, important goals in draws with Everton and Sunderland as well as the all important leveller against Arsenal, which Tottenham went on to win 3-2.

These are the nominee's for the PFA Player of the Year awards, leave a comment below and let us know who you think will receive the award.

Part 2 featuring the Young Player of the Year nominee's will be up tomorrow.

Real Talk Football

2 comments:

  1. I think that this is between Nasri and Vidic, because as impressive Bale and VDV have been for Spurs, their performances have tailed off in this final third/quarter of the season.

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  2. gotta be between scott parker and scott parker. both have been consistently brilliant this season, keeping gareth barry and owen hargreaves out of the england team, and ryan giggs out of the welsh team. vidic has been bettered by drogba and torres fairly comprehensively this season and would be a poor choice. gareth bale and charlie adam are also both good shouts for the ways in which they have inspired their teams this season. surprised to see van der vaart and not modric featuring...

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