Young Player of the Season… the nominees are in
Marc Albrighton, Daniel Sturridge and Theo Walcott; these names are just a small example of the young talent that is on show in the Premier League. Even so, such are the talents of the youngsters in the league that the three mentioned above will probably not make it onto the PFA’s shortlist.
Seamus Coleman has been a rare highlight in an otherwise rather dismal season for Everton; the defender’s performances have been solid and consistent, even if Everton’s position doesn’t represent this, with the Republic of Ireland handing Coleman his first cap in the 3-0 win over Wales. The young Irish international’s performances have, of course, caught the eye of the ‘bigger’ clubs in the Premier League, which is why after being voted the club’s player of the month in November, Coleman was offered (and promptly signed) a new four and a half year deal with the club. With the likes of Cahill and now Jack Rodwell especially surrounded by a media frenzy, it is a shame for Seamus Coleman that he isn’t getting the credit he deserves; but with Rodwell heavily linked to Manchester United, Coleman could see next season bring him untold success.
For Andy Carroll to make the shortlist after having several months out injured is a major feat in itself. The Liverpool hitman warrants his place on here for his time at Newcastle United, where Carroll received plaudits for being an ‘old fashioned’ centre forward; strong, powerful in the air and a nightmare for defenders and goalkeepers alike. The performances of Carroll in the early months of the season earned an England call up and Fabio Capello was extremely impressed with the burly hitman. Carroll will more than likely miss out on the award due to having such a long time out injured, but this didn’t stop Liverpool spending £35 million on the striker despite having just returned to fitness for his new club; the signs were particularly promising for Carroll against Sunderland and he should enjoy a successful and potent career alongside Luis Suarez for the Reds under the guidance of “King Kenny”.
Rafael da Silva, Manchester United’s young Brazilian right back, has blistering pace, fantastic composure on the ball and, combined with his defensive abilities, this has become an integral part in helping Vidic, Ferdinand and Smalling maintain the back line that, at one point looked like going the whole season unbeaten. Rafael shows a certain Brazilian instinct when moving forward with the ball, which is a dream for the likes of Nani, Park and now the returning Valencia, as the young Brazilian regularly feeds the wingers delightful balls down the line. As always at United, the youth promise exciting times and Rafael, along with twin brother Fabio, are leading the way.
‘The Little Pea’, Chicharito or Javier Hernandez; whatever you decide to call him, one thing is for certain that the little Mexican has been a saving grace for the Red Devils after a hugely controversial and relatively disappointing season for Wayne Rooney. For someone so small in stature, Hernandez has been creating big headlines over at Old Trafford, whether it his phenomenal pace, amazing goals to shots on target ratio or just his obvious love for the beautiful game. Hernandez is now what can only be described as Ferguson’s ‘go-to man’, when United need something different to ensure victory or to kill off a game, you can be certain the Mexican international will be Fergie’s first port of call and as of yet has not disappointed.
Gareth Bale is in a Tottenham Hotspur team that is rich in talent, so for someone so young to steal away the headlines from the likes of Luka Modric and Rafael van der Vaart is an impressive achievement. Bale has truly come into his own as a player in this season. The 21-year-old Welshman scored a phenomenal hat trick in Tottenham’s Champions League debut against Inter Milan and continued to impress with two assists in the return game at White Hart Lane. Bale has been essential in Spurs maintaining their chances in breaking the top four for a second year running and has the potential to develop into a top player, if he isn’t that already.
Jack Wilshere; only 19 years old and yet in his breakthrough season at Arsenal, has played for the England national team and made himself a prominent figure in the centre of the park for the Gunners. With passion, desire and creativity, Wilshere has demonstrated his ability and versatility to play both offensively and in a holding role to help the Gunners’ suspect defence; lauded by, amongst others, Arsene Wenger, Owen Coyle and Fabio Capello in the process. Wilshere’s consistent performances this season have had numerous fans and critics comparing his impact to Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and David Beckham when they burst onto the scene at Old Trafford. A comparison that surely only a Premier League Young Player of the Season can achieve? We shall see.
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Its got to be Bale or Wilshere, Chicharito hasn’t featured enough hes often 3rd choice behind berba and rooney. The other two are reglaurs with more all round ability.
I would give it to Wilshere, but I feel with Bales performances in the champions league it will overshadow Wilsheres achievements, even though the champions league has nothing to do with the PFA’s lol.
Big games will decide this battle though with Spurs v Arsenal at the lane being one game for both to prove why they should win
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Has to be Coleman. Bought for just 60k two years ago. Has been terrific on the everton wing, great pace, skill and scoring goals.
He has my vote.
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Xabi23 Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 1:48 pm
You’ve never seen him play then. He’s like a right sided version of Bale! Taking into account the poor form of Everton this season, he’s been a revelation.
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Wilshere and Bale are sure to be the front runners, however I agree for someone like Coleman to win the award would be refreshing for football. Wilshere will more than likely (and deservedly)win the award. He is the key to England’s future
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Wilshere has been more consistent and plays like a premier league vetran!, Bale has been more hit and miss but when he hits boy does he make some ripples! even outside of the champs league he has been awesome (his volley from above his head into the top corner, i think against stoke, was one of the best technical goals i have seen in a long time!) Albrighton & Coleman have had good seasons but im not sure they’re on the level of the first 2. Caroll & Walcott started the season like trains but injuries have meant they have had little impact recently. i do think Chicharito deserves something out of this season, he has been amazing considering he has completely abandoned his life in Mexico and has started again at one of the biggest clubs in the world. i have been left speachless at some of his goals (the backwards header he scored!!!!)but hes not a regular and most of his impacts have come off the bench! my top 3 would be 1st/2nd Bale/Wilshere (i can split them so couldnt complain if either of them won it!) with Chicharito coming in 3rd!
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Daniel Blazer Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 1:20 pm
agree with everything you have said. I feel hernandez could be a leading runner for player of the season next year!
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joe hart????? most consistant player of the season
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bnbn Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 1:31 pm
im not sure what age is the cut of so i may be wrong to say joe hart sorry folks if i am wrong though if im not then why has this guy not even mentioned him consistantly good sumtimes brilliant by far the most consistant out of all the names mentioned and has played almost every game this season domestically internationally and in europe for club and country
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Daniel Blazer Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 2:04 pm
Joe Hart is 23 so would have been a candidate, hart has been having a brilliant three/four months but he was abit suspect from memory at the beginning of the season, however any keeper that keeps shay given out of goal perhaps does deserve to be on the list
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bnbn Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 3:48 pm
he probably had his best performance of the season against spurs the first game of the season…. 22 clean sheets this season in all comps, 25 if you include his england games too just my opinion bale had a great first half of the season but has been no where near the same levels since then mostly because of injury albeit if i had to name a top 3 candidates i would have 1. joe hart/jack wilshire 3rd gareth bale and a late contender being hernandez. i feel wilshire and hart are hard to seperate because one plays in goals and the other plays out field though hart probably edges it through his importance to his club
Wheres Martin Kelly?
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Daniel Blazer Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 2:06 pm
not sure, hope you find him soon
Kelly has had a great breakthrough season but I dont believe he has shone to level that the other nominees have
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sam Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 2:12 pm
you’ll need to have made more than 11apps in the league i thinks!!!!
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If anyone else other than Gareth Bale wins this award it will be an absolute travesty.Without wishing to knock any of the fine players competing with him for the award it is absolutely unthinkable that anyone could watch what Bale did to Inter Milan,home and away,and not vote for him.There is no one in the PL of any age who has put in 2 performances against a top class team like he did against Inter,which includes scoring a hat trick in the San Siro.Can you honestly say you could see many of the other nominees managing such a feat in the entire careers ?.He’s been there and done it at 21 years old.
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Top Div indeed Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 2:03 pm
hold on?? is this for Young PREMIER LEAGUE player of the year or Young EUROPEAN player of the year?
if its for Young European player- then Benzema has been more effective all season…
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brian Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 2:07 pm
not to take anything away from Bale but…
…you think he should win an award for one competition based on 2 games he played in a completely seperate competition???
hhhmmmm not sure bout that one…
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Sammy Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 2:10 pm
im not sure but..has anyone heard about Gareth Bale playing against Inter Milan this season?
EVRYONE FKING HAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THATS ALL I HEAR ABUT GARETH BALE THIS SEASON….YOU WOULD THINK HE HADN’T DONE ANYTHING ELSE ALL SEASON!!!….oh…wait a minute?..
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Danny Salford Red Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 2:17 pm
Yeah you’re right it has to go to Gareth Bale as he played two wonderful games V Inter all season in between being out injured a lot. Give me strength
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Daniel Blazer Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 2:21 pm
Ok fair enough his performances against inter milan shouldnt be taken into consideration.
No denying though he is a talent, fast, creative and skillful and that added to his 7 seven premier league goals he deserves to be on the list
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Seamus Coleman
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Any Spurs fan knows that Bale has been excellent for at least 12 months now,and was instramental in helping Spurs beat both Chelsea and Arsenal late last season to reach 4th spot and CL football (never before achieved).He carried that on by scoring an outstanding goal away at Stoke this season,and also helping Spurs to an away win at Arsenal,while keping the team in the hunt for 4th spot again.However the pinnacle was his two performances against Inter Milan which are head and shoulders above anything that anyone else up for this award has achieved.For example,how can S.Coleman having a really good season in a relegation threatened team compare ?.Any outstanding moments ?.Nope,just consistently good performances in a struggling side.At least J.Hernandez has scored some very important goals as well as playing in a W.C. which would make him the most valid competition to Bale.As for Wiltshire,good though he may well be,he’s failed to win a Carling Cup or progress in the F.A. Cup recently and his team have achieved nothing more than they did the previous season without him in the team.His ‘claim’ to fame this season is being the best Arsenal player against Barca – to put that into context,he was the best player in a team who managed a CL record of not registering a shot on goal all game and getting completely and utterly outpassed as they lost the match.Tremendous !.Almost as praise worthy as scoring a hat trick away and setting up two in a 3-1 home win to the Cup holders!.
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Instead of leaving it up to interpretation,these are Bale’s stats so far this season.
PL played 25,goals 7
CL played 8,goals 4
Overall played 33 scored 11,strike rate 1 in 3.
Pretty sure they are better figures than any other non striker up for the award and that doesn’t take into account the numerous number of assists from his crosses.
I rest my case.
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