Aston Villa
In
Aleksandar Tonev (Lech Poznan) Undisclosed
Jores Okore (FC Nordsjaelland) Undisclosed
Leandro Bacuna (FC Groningen) Undisclosed
Nicklas Helenius (Aalborg BK) Undisclosed
Antonio Luna (Sevilla) Undisclosed
Jed Steer (Norwich) Undisclosed
Out
Richard Dunne (Queens Park Rangers) Free
Jean II Makoun Released
Eric Lichaj (Nottingham Forest) Free
Andy Marshall Released
Brett Holman Released
Derrick Williams (Bristol City) Undisclosed
Positives: A stable summer and a few new faces even if they are fairly unknown to the casual fan at least this summer for Villa in the first time in aeons it has been a stable summer and Paul Lambert has the full backing of the Villa support as well which is also a positive.
The signing of a new contract for Christian Benteke. He contributed 49 percent of all of Villa's goals last season and after he handed in a transfer request at the summer he was persuaded to do a u-turn and sign a new four year contract instead and if the has a season like he had last Villa should be a comfortable mid-table team this season.
Negatives: Thin Squad and lack of experience in it. Any player that was along for the ride last season at Villa Park would have been battle hardened and better for that experience but I think Villa would still have been benifited of adding a two 25 plus players to their squad just to balance things out a little bit as I think this team can still be capable of producing horror shows like the 8-0 loss to Chelsea last season. It is good that the squad is young and the investment of youth is a good thing in any club but a bit of experience would not go astray either for Villa and they still have time to rectify that of course if they so wish before the window closes. Also they might struggle to win any of their first three games as they are Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea.
Predicted Position: 11th
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Premiership Preview Part 1 Arsenal
The Premiership is only over a week away and here is my predictions for the 20 teams to take part in the 2013/14 season.
Arsenal
In
Yaya Sanogo (Auxerre) Free
Out
Andrey Arshavin (Zenit St Petersberg) Free
Francis Coquelin (Freiburg) Loan
Denilson (Sao Paulo) Free
Johan Djourou (Hamburg) Loan
Craig Eastmond (Colchester United) Free
Kyle Ebecilio (Twente) Free
Vito Mannone (Sunderland) Undisclosed
Sebastien Squillaci Released
Sanchez Watt (Colchester United) Free
Jordan Wynter (Bristol City) Free
Jernade Meade (Swansea City) Free
Andre Santos (Flamengo) Undisclosed
Gervinho (Roma)
Positives: A lot of the fringe players are now gone and has released money for players who will demand bigger wage bills.
Jack Wilshere has had a full pre season for the first time since 2010 and this season is a key one for him as not only an important one for the club but also a World Cup for his country as well at the end of it. His fitness is a major issue for Arsenal if they are going to get back to the silverware hunt this season.
No one that you can say will be a first team regular has left the club this summer yet and no signs that anyone will be leaving either which at least has created a bit of stability in the first team.
Negatives: Wegner contract situation. After the transfer deadline closes on the 2nd of September thoughts will be immediately turn to the managers contract situation after it closes and there is no guarantee this time that the longest serving manager in the English Leagues is going to renew it this time. If there is a statement of intent as to what he is going to do early on in the season then at least everyone can get on with it but if he does not, it could create uncertainty within the playing staff and they might not perform to their best of their abilities.
The Suarez saga and the lack of transfer activity overall. Arsenal's Chief Executive Ivan Gatzidis just after the season end last season declared that Arsenal are now in a position to spend on big name players this summer to finally challenge the big guns this summer for the best talent and to challenge for major trophies once again. Nothing has happened since which has sent all Arsenal supporters supposedly into a state of panic and considering Arsenal's track record in previous seasons that has justified the panic in many ways. With the Higuain transfer falling through the cracks it looks as though Arsenal have put all the eggs in one basket to get Luis Suarez over to the Emirates. That has it's own baggage as Suarez has proven many times in his career already he has shown thuggish and also very selfish behavior as well and I am not sure if this is the type of player Arsenal should go for. If he is to come he will improve the squad tremendously without a doubt but can he be trusted to behave throughout a season I am not so sure about that. We will see how this story develops as the next month rolls on.
Arsenal also badly need a defender as Johan Djourou has gone and Thomas Vermalen is injured until at least April which means Arsenal will be only starting with two centre backs. Ashley Williams has been muted but nothing concrete has been stamped on that story. If Arsenal are to progress and close the sixteen point gap that there was last season then they need to spend the money thiat is available to them but they way they have gone about it makes me wonder if they will spend any of it at all.
Prediction:4th
Arsenal
In
Yaya Sanogo (Auxerre) Free
Out
Andrey Arshavin (Zenit St Petersberg) Free
Francis Coquelin (Freiburg) Loan
Denilson (Sao Paulo) Free
Johan Djourou (Hamburg) Loan
Craig Eastmond (Colchester United) Free
Kyle Ebecilio (Twente) Free
Vito Mannone (Sunderland) Undisclosed
Sebastien Squillaci Released
Sanchez Watt (Colchester United) Free
Jordan Wynter (Bristol City) Free
Jernade Meade (Swansea City) Free
Andre Santos (Flamengo) Undisclosed
Gervinho (Roma)
Positives: A lot of the fringe players are now gone and has released money for players who will demand bigger wage bills.
Jack Wilshere has had a full pre season for the first time since 2010 and this season is a key one for him as not only an important one for the club but also a World Cup for his country as well at the end of it. His fitness is a major issue for Arsenal if they are going to get back to the silverware hunt this season.
No one that you can say will be a first team regular has left the club this summer yet and no signs that anyone will be leaving either which at least has created a bit of stability in the first team.
Negatives: Wegner contract situation. After the transfer deadline closes on the 2nd of September thoughts will be immediately turn to the managers contract situation after it closes and there is no guarantee this time that the longest serving manager in the English Leagues is going to renew it this time. If there is a statement of intent as to what he is going to do early on in the season then at least everyone can get on with it but if he does not, it could create uncertainty within the playing staff and they might not perform to their best of their abilities.
The Suarez saga and the lack of transfer activity overall. Arsenal's Chief Executive Ivan Gatzidis just after the season end last season declared that Arsenal are now in a position to spend on big name players this summer to finally challenge the big guns this summer for the best talent and to challenge for major trophies once again. Nothing has happened since which has sent all Arsenal supporters supposedly into a state of panic and considering Arsenal's track record in previous seasons that has justified the panic in many ways. With the Higuain transfer falling through the cracks it looks as though Arsenal have put all the eggs in one basket to get Luis Suarez over to the Emirates. That has it's own baggage as Suarez has proven many times in his career already he has shown thuggish and also very selfish behavior as well and I am not sure if this is the type of player Arsenal should go for. If he is to come he will improve the squad tremendously without a doubt but can he be trusted to behave throughout a season I am not so sure about that. We will see how this story develops as the next month rolls on.
Arsenal also badly need a defender as Johan Djourou has gone and Thomas Vermalen is injured until at least April which means Arsenal will be only starting with two centre backs. Ashley Williams has been muted but nothing concrete has been stamped on that story. If Arsenal are to progress and close the sixteen point gap that there was last season then they need to spend the money thiat is available to them but they way they have gone about it makes me wonder if they will spend any of it at all.
Prediction:4th
Thursday, July 4, 2013
My weekend at Silverstone
On my blog as I have stated before this will be mainly dedicated to the footy world but occasionally will delve into other forms of the sporting stratosphere like this blog in which I am going to describe my Formula One weekend in Silverstone.
My weekend nearly never happened as I missed my scheduled bus up to the airport and had to get a later bus which I knew was going to be dicey as to whether I would make the flight or not. After several panicky phone calls and finger biting I did make it by the skin of my teeth and after calming down and a bit of slagging from my mates which was well deserved we settled in to my friends house out in rural Maidenhead and set out out a battle plan for the following day. My friends decided to stock up on sandwiches and other munchies which was a good idea which I copped for the following two days and our first early morning awaited us.
We were up about 7 in the morning to head for the track. Rain was the order for most of the day and the plan was over the next two days was to see as much of the circuit as possible if not all and try and get to see as much of the racing as well in those two days. I should explain at this point that the three day ticket we had allowed us access to all the grandstands apart for the VIP ones for the Friday and Saturday and we had a specific seat for race day. Unfortunately free practice one was washed out and only Daniel Riccardio actually put in a few laps. We braved the elements and started to have a wander around. I wanted some merchandise but if anyone who has been to an F1 race weekend before knows that current F1 merchandise is very expensive indeed. I only bought the program in the end to add to the collection of programs I have purchased throughout the years. There was a GP2 Practice session inbetween first and second practices and by the time the second practice came around the weather and the track dryed out significantly enough to have a proper session and for the first time I heard the V8 2.4 litre engines in full force and the sounds were beautiful and loud I can tell you that and it will be the only time as they are changing to 1.6l turbo V6 engines for next year. I'm glad I got to hear them once.
We managed to get to see pretty much the whole track in the end and a plan was made for the Saturday to get to the main pit lane start and finish straight abbey for the Saturday but that meant getting up even earlier for the following day. After much moaning from yours truly I did agree. One thing I will mention now is that there was a village area in the Silverstone complex. That is all I will mention about the Silverstone complex. There was not a lot too it sadly so I wont bore you with details.
The Saturday we were up at six in the morning to see if we could get a place at Abbey. It was windy but at least it looks as though there was no ran. After we got our park and ride again we arrived at the track about quarter to nine and made a beeline for the Abbey grandstand. To our relief we did manage to get seats and vowed not to move until after Qualifying ended. If you add that up we got to the stand about Nine and Qualifying for the F1 was not over until after 2 so we were going to be there for the crux of over five hours. What was not helping was the wind that kept blowing in our faces. It was really cold in the stand even though at this stage the sun was out. That is what an exposed airfield which Silverstone was built on can do to you. We managed to stick it out. FP3 and the first of the tyre dramas happened as Sergio Perez' right rear completely blew up spectauarly and that was a forewarning as to what was come. Even at this stage it was obvious the Mercedes and the Red Bulls had the advantage over everyone else. We were relived once the Qualifying was over and were able to move around again. We ended up at Luffield for the first of the GP2 races which was quite exciting actually and got to see a lot of action out of it. There was the first GP3 race after this but decided to call it a day as we were all knackered and needed some food and quiet beers the Saturday night.
Sunday we got up a bit later as we decided to give the support races a miss and get in there at a reasonable time to get the build up to the race. The intricacies of the track you would not know from watching it on the t.v.. The bumps, curves, climbs and speed you would only really know once you get to a F1 race live and in person. We got to our stand which was stove corner and we got a good view of the Hangers straight and the corners after stove which lead to the main straight abbey. We got the drivers parade then we had a show from the RAF red arrows which was spectacular in all fairness even though they had to delay it for around ten minutes as an intruder as the P.A. called it invaded the airspace as it got a good laugh from the crowd. After that was over the cars came out and the race was nearly to begin with the fans favorite Lewis Hamilton on pole.
The P.A. speakers were very good actually and were able to see a screen to see what was going on throughout the race. The best moments for me in the race was the reaction to the crowd when Lewis Hamilton's tyre blew up, my mates and I had a little snigger at that and after the second safety car the sprint to the finish was quite fun as well. We had a longer than expected walk back to our shuttle bus for our park and ride as we had to go the long way around as only VIP and Club Silverstone Members were allowed into a certain section of the course which pissed us all off then all of us exhausted and sun burnt at this point were stuck in post race traffic for ages, thankfully my friend and I had more then enough time to compensate for our flight home. Pity our mate that was driving us, he had the journey back to Maidenhead which proved to be a nightmare for him poor fellah.
I would go again to an F1 race again but a different track. I have always been fascinated by Spa and Monza for example and of Course Monaco because its Monaco. The one aspect which I was disappointed about Silverstone apart from the Village was the fact the British continue to harp on about the history of the place and the fact that it is the home of F1. Even though there has been improvements in the facilities over the past couple of years I never felt that sense of History of the place whatsoever. I have been in some of the football or Gaelic Stadiums over the years and you do feel the history of the place but with Silverstone none sadly. If I was spending money on Silverstone I would build some sort of museum nearby to get people to sense how important this place is to the history of Motor Racing in Britain and to F1 and Motor Racing in General. I think it will improve it in time as they do have the track that people will come back to again and again. It was a marvellous weekend in general and I will be back hopefully to a F1 track near you soon.
My weekend nearly never happened as I missed my scheduled bus up to the airport and had to get a later bus which I knew was going to be dicey as to whether I would make the flight or not. After several panicky phone calls and finger biting I did make it by the skin of my teeth and after calming down and a bit of slagging from my mates which was well deserved we settled in to my friends house out in rural Maidenhead and set out out a battle plan for the following day. My friends decided to stock up on sandwiches and other munchies which was a good idea which I copped for the following two days and our first early morning awaited us.
We were up about 7 in the morning to head for the track. Rain was the order for most of the day and the plan was over the next two days was to see as much of the circuit as possible if not all and try and get to see as much of the racing as well in those two days. I should explain at this point that the three day ticket we had allowed us access to all the grandstands apart for the VIP ones for the Friday and Saturday and we had a specific seat for race day. Unfortunately free practice one was washed out and only Daniel Riccardio actually put in a few laps. We braved the elements and started to have a wander around. I wanted some merchandise but if anyone who has been to an F1 race weekend before knows that current F1 merchandise is very expensive indeed. I only bought the program in the end to add to the collection of programs I have purchased throughout the years. There was a GP2 Practice session inbetween first and second practices and by the time the second practice came around the weather and the track dryed out significantly enough to have a proper session and for the first time I heard the V8 2.4 litre engines in full force and the sounds were beautiful and loud I can tell you that and it will be the only time as they are changing to 1.6l turbo V6 engines for next year. I'm glad I got to hear them once.
We managed to get to see pretty much the whole track in the end and a plan was made for the Saturday to get to the main pit lane start and finish straight abbey for the Saturday but that meant getting up even earlier for the following day. After much moaning from yours truly I did agree. One thing I will mention now is that there was a village area in the Silverstone complex. That is all I will mention about the Silverstone complex. There was not a lot too it sadly so I wont bore you with details.
The Saturday we were up at six in the morning to see if we could get a place at Abbey. It was windy but at least it looks as though there was no ran. After we got our park and ride again we arrived at the track about quarter to nine and made a beeline for the Abbey grandstand. To our relief we did manage to get seats and vowed not to move until after Qualifying ended. If you add that up we got to the stand about Nine and Qualifying for the F1 was not over until after 2 so we were going to be there for the crux of over five hours. What was not helping was the wind that kept blowing in our faces. It was really cold in the stand even though at this stage the sun was out. That is what an exposed airfield which Silverstone was built on can do to you. We managed to stick it out. FP3 and the first of the tyre dramas happened as Sergio Perez' right rear completely blew up spectauarly and that was a forewarning as to what was come. Even at this stage it was obvious the Mercedes and the Red Bulls had the advantage over everyone else. We were relived once the Qualifying was over and were able to move around again. We ended up at Luffield for the first of the GP2 races which was quite exciting actually and got to see a lot of action out of it. There was the first GP3 race after this but decided to call it a day as we were all knackered and needed some food and quiet beers the Saturday night.
Sunday we got up a bit later as we decided to give the support races a miss and get in there at a reasonable time to get the build up to the race. The intricacies of the track you would not know from watching it on the t.v.. The bumps, curves, climbs and speed you would only really know once you get to a F1 race live and in person. We got to our stand which was stove corner and we got a good view of the Hangers straight and the corners after stove which lead to the main straight abbey. We got the drivers parade then we had a show from the RAF red arrows which was spectacular in all fairness even though they had to delay it for around ten minutes as an intruder as the P.A. called it invaded the airspace as it got a good laugh from the crowd. After that was over the cars came out and the race was nearly to begin with the fans favorite Lewis Hamilton on pole.
The P.A. speakers were very good actually and were able to see a screen to see what was going on throughout the race. The best moments for me in the race was the reaction to the crowd when Lewis Hamilton's tyre blew up, my mates and I had a little snigger at that and after the second safety car the sprint to the finish was quite fun as well. We had a longer than expected walk back to our shuttle bus for our park and ride as we had to go the long way around as only VIP and Club Silverstone Members were allowed into a certain section of the course which pissed us all off then all of us exhausted and sun burnt at this point were stuck in post race traffic for ages, thankfully my friend and I had more then enough time to compensate for our flight home. Pity our mate that was driving us, he had the journey back to Maidenhead which proved to be a nightmare for him poor fellah.
I would go again to an F1 race again but a different track. I have always been fascinated by Spa and Monza for example and of Course Monaco because its Monaco. The one aspect which I was disappointed about Silverstone apart from the Village was the fact the British continue to harp on about the history of the place and the fact that it is the home of F1. Even though there has been improvements in the facilities over the past couple of years I never felt that sense of History of the place whatsoever. I have been in some of the football or Gaelic Stadiums over the years and you do feel the history of the place but with Silverstone none sadly. If I was spending money on Silverstone I would build some sort of museum nearby to get people to sense how important this place is to the history of Motor Racing in Britain and to F1 and Motor Racing in General. I think it will improve it in time as they do have the track that people will come back to again and again. It was a marvellous weekend in general and I will be back hopefully to a F1 track near you soon.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Mourinho
So one of several worst kept secrets that is going to happen this summer has now happened. The special one has returned to Chelsea and pretty much everyone has an opinion on it.
Every Chelsea fan seems to be ecstatic that he is back but I'm not sure if everyone else is just yet. The real question is can he take Chelsea back to the promised land second time around.
Questions that have to be asked is how his relationship with Abramovich is going to work second time around? The signings of Ballack and Shevchencko and also the appointment of Avram Grant to work with Mourinho started the falling out love process between the two and also the failure to play like Barcelona probably did not help either and the results on the pitch started to reflect that and eventually ended his tenure under a cloud. He is expected to work with technical director Michael Elmano and we all know how much of a control freak Mourinho is as related to the Grant case and his early power struggle in Madrid in removing Jorge Valdano and gaining total control of the club affairs on and off the field in the process a move which eventually backfired as with all the off the field controversies that surrounded his tenure along with failure to deliver the champions league he was never truly loved by the higher brass in his own words.
Has the magic gone as well? He struggled to dethrone Barcelona although by the end he was consistently getting results against them but seven trophies to three during that period sums it all up and also failure to win the champions league it would be deemed that it was somewhat a failure and the first major failure of Mourinhos tenure.
He is going back to a club that loves him and with all the questions that I have raised above if will be interesting if the remarriage is more successful than the first and with all the unknowns going into the new season the premiership could be there for the taking and also the desire to win the champions league which he did not do first time with Chelsea will determine his fate.
One more thing who will he bring in and will he also keep the golden oldies that are left that served him well the first time? It will be an interesting tale to follow and the first press conference next Monday will kick it all off.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Becks How good was he?
Congrats to David Beckham on his retirement his stature in the media glare
and his services to football were second to none and to keep fit at his age and
to still be relevant at his age is a testament to his character even amongst
all the controversies that he has had on and off the pitch he has come out
smiling and a helluva of a lot richer. Amongst all the plaudits he is going to
get in the next weeks/months the question is how good a player really was
he?
I always felt he was a really good player that was elevated to absolute greatness by certain sections of media because of his fame. He was one of the great dead ball strikers who could cope under pressure when chances came to him. His equalizer for England against Greece which qualified England for the 2002 World Cup being an example. Also a great crosser of a ball which even with a lack of electric pace he always managed to get in his fair set of crosses per match which were paramount to United’s game in the mid to late 90s. He could produce a good pass when he needed to and also a professionalism which was second to none. Anyone who has glowing words for Becks said that he was the hardest worker on the training ground and always the last to leave which would always had positive affect on his teammates.
The few negatives that I have about Beckham are the reason why I don't think he is amongst the greats. He had a tendency to be very petulant in the heat of the moment and the World Cup 1998 incident against Argentina being a prime example of that. He loved being in a centre midfield but he truly excelled in it as he never had the legs for the position to track back and chase and also had the habit of also going for a hail mary pass when the simpler pass was available although in his defence on that he was not the only one who was guilty of that in the England midfield. The final one which I think is the most important is comparing him with his peers and in the case I give his own teammates. I believe Roy Keane and Paul Scholes were better talents than him. Scholes for his range of passing and vision and knowing when to hit the right pass at the right times which I believe Beckham did not do and Keane who was the energy of the team and had the ability to drag United through the tough times even if the rest of the team is struggling a trait that Beckham did not have either.
I do not want to knock Beckham he had a successful career and has been a fantastic ambassador for the game and for his country but I believe that he is a rung below the real special talents that have graced the game in his era.
I always felt he was a really good player that was elevated to absolute greatness by certain sections of media because of his fame. He was one of the great dead ball strikers who could cope under pressure when chances came to him. His equalizer for England against Greece which qualified England for the 2002 World Cup being an example. Also a great crosser of a ball which even with a lack of electric pace he always managed to get in his fair set of crosses per match which were paramount to United’s game in the mid to late 90s. He could produce a good pass when he needed to and also a professionalism which was second to none. Anyone who has glowing words for Becks said that he was the hardest worker on the training ground and always the last to leave which would always had positive affect on his teammates.
The few negatives that I have about Beckham are the reason why I don't think he is amongst the greats. He had a tendency to be very petulant in the heat of the moment and the World Cup 1998 incident against Argentina being a prime example of that. He loved being in a centre midfield but he truly excelled in it as he never had the legs for the position to track back and chase and also had the habit of also going for a hail mary pass when the simpler pass was available although in his defence on that he was not the only one who was guilty of that in the England midfield. The final one which I think is the most important is comparing him with his peers and in the case I give his own teammates. I believe Roy Keane and Paul Scholes were better talents than him. Scholes for his range of passing and vision and knowing when to hit the right pass at the right times which I believe Beckham did not do and Keane who was the energy of the team and had the ability to drag United through the tough times even if the rest of the team is struggling a trait that Beckham did not have either.
I do not want to knock Beckham he had a successful career and has been a fantastic ambassador for the game and for his country but I believe that he is a rung below the real special talents that have graced the game in his era.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Tribute to Sir Alex
I am going to post this in bullet points just to do this in a different way
•Trophies 38
•A lot of credit does go to the board of United at the time for keeping faith with SAF and thanks to a Mark Robins goal in the FA Cup the start of the Ferguson era well and truly begun
•One of his truly great charteristics was to build and rebuild teams time and time again and somehow never compromise his chances of winning trophies in a particular season
•His investment in youth especially in the golden era in the mid 90s was second to none. Whoever does take over is in a good spot where that is concerned with the likes of De Gea, Jones, Smalling, Rafeal and Welbeck for example.
•His philosophy of no one is bigger than the club is what I think mainly along with his amazing ability to adopt to the current times in the football is what I think made him the best of our generation and possibly of all time.People in this bracket include Jaap Stam, Roy Keane, David Beckham and more recently Wayne Rooney
•Last but not least his incredible desire still to this day as if he only starting is unparalleled and deserves an enormous amount credit for it.
Enjoy your retirement Sir Alex. With whoever takes over they have to be in the mindset that they have to put their own stamp on things which is easier said then done.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
The PFA announced this week the players who are up for the best player in the PL this season. Here is the list and also others who deserve a mention fort heir contributions this season.
Michael Carrick - Manchester United.
A surprising choice for me. Never been a huge fan of Carrick,. I just think he never contributed enough in the bigger games but certainly this season his contributions has been more noticeable and has been nearly an ever present in the side this season. He has been more able to dictate games and his range of passing has at times been excellent. He is entering the prime in his career now and has finally after a number of seasons has made the central midfield birth his own which is a credit to his character and the central midfield birth will be his for many years to come as long as he stats fit and healthy. Probably won't win the award but even getting nominated is an achievement in itself for Carrick and rightfully should be proud of it.
Gareth Bale - Tottenham
My favorite to win it. He has been outstanding all season and his goalscroing exploits, 17 in the premiership alone to this date and the fact that he has showed the ability to win games on his own for Spurs suggests that this season under Andre Villas-Boas he has flourished under his tutelage and that he can dictate where he goes from here. If Spurs do not finish in the top four expect a huge money move to a big European Giant for him. If Spurs do stay in the top four I expect him to stay and Spurs to move onwards and upwards next season with their biggest asset in tow.
Eden Hazard- Chelsea
One of the big money moves of last summer, Hazard came in with loads of fanfare some of it created by himself and created a fantastic initial impression playing alongside Juan Mata and Oscar in a attacking three man midfield which at times was breathtaking. After Roberto Di Matteo got sacked and Rafa Benitez came in Hazards and Chelsea momentum suddenly slowed and we only saw flashes of Hazards brilliance but it is still there and expect whomever takes over next summer whether it will be Jose Mourinho, Manuel Pellegrini or someone else that Hazard and the next candidate on the list that Chelsea can flourish again and also achieve some stability. Just don't mention ball boy gate.
Juan Mata- Chelsea
One of my favorite players in the Premiership, Mata even when Chelsea has struggled this season has always stood out and the fact that he has having his best season goalscoring wise (18 in all competitions) and lead the assists statistics in the Premiership (10) suggests he is having his best season yet and the fact that he is still only 24 means that the best is yet to come from him and can be a force for Chelsea and Spain for years to come.
Luis Suarez- Liverpool
Having an amazing season(29 in all competitions for the Pool) and the fact that this season has been mainly controversy free Suarez has flourished as the main man on Merseyside this season and the variety of goals this season has been absolutely amazing. The best thing about Suarez for me is the way he can jinx past defenders and create space for himself to get a shot or pass off. He is the best in doing that in the Premership( and with the exception of Lionel Messi world football as well). If Suarez can stay grounded he can get even better and Liverpool will do very well to keep him. ill think he will stay one more season to see if they can get into the Champions League but probably not beyond that if they do not. Definitely one player that can be described as a fans favourite that is for sure.
Robin Van Persie- Manchester United
His move to Man. Utd. must have sent shudders down the spine to their title rivals and his addition as mainly predicted has been one of the major differences as to why Man Utd. are so far ahead of anyone else this season. in his prime and mainly injury free his contribution especially in the first half of the season for the Red Devils was hugely impressive and set Uniteds season rolling on both fronts. Second half he has cooled off a little bit but still maintained a presence as United ran away in the premiership and were unlucky to be knocked out in the Champions League. One of the favourites to win it.
Order I think it will come in.
1. Gareth Bale
2. Luis Suarez
3. Robin Van Persie
Other who deserve a mention
Michu- Swansea. Definitely bargain of the season Michu even though his all round play is average, his finishing ability is breathtaking and hell will move to a bigger club if nit next season definitely the season after and Swansea will make a huge profit for him. Be interesting to see if he can replicate this seasons form wherever he may be next season.
Santi Carzola- Arsenal
In what has been a barren season for Arsenal Carzola has shone like a beacon. Blessed with excellent technical ability and also his eye for a pass and having his best goalscoring season yet Carzola will be one to watch for next season as he enters his second season in the premiership.
Christian Benteke- Aston Villa
If Villa are going to stay up this season then they have a lot to thank this man for. His goals would have nearly single handily keep Villa up if indeed they are staying up. His physical presence and deft touch around the goal have been nothing short of superb and if Villa do go down there will be no shortage of takers for him. Nominated for Young player of the year alongside Hazard and Bale.
If there are any other players that you think should be included please comment and also who do you think deserves player of the year. Fascinating debates ahead!
Michael Carrick - Manchester United.
A surprising choice for me. Never been a huge fan of Carrick,. I just think he never contributed enough in the bigger games but certainly this season his contributions has been more noticeable and has been nearly an ever present in the side this season. He has been more able to dictate games and his range of passing has at times been excellent. He is entering the prime in his career now and has finally after a number of seasons has made the central midfield birth his own which is a credit to his character and the central midfield birth will be his for many years to come as long as he stats fit and healthy. Probably won't win the award but even getting nominated is an achievement in itself for Carrick and rightfully should be proud of it.
Gareth Bale - Tottenham
My favorite to win it. He has been outstanding all season and his goalscroing exploits, 17 in the premiership alone to this date and the fact that he has showed the ability to win games on his own for Spurs suggests that this season under Andre Villas-Boas he has flourished under his tutelage and that he can dictate where he goes from here. If Spurs do not finish in the top four expect a huge money move to a big European Giant for him. If Spurs do stay in the top four I expect him to stay and Spurs to move onwards and upwards next season with their biggest asset in tow.
Eden Hazard- Chelsea
One of the big money moves of last summer, Hazard came in with loads of fanfare some of it created by himself and created a fantastic initial impression playing alongside Juan Mata and Oscar in a attacking three man midfield which at times was breathtaking. After Roberto Di Matteo got sacked and Rafa Benitez came in Hazards and Chelsea momentum suddenly slowed and we only saw flashes of Hazards brilliance but it is still there and expect whomever takes over next summer whether it will be Jose Mourinho, Manuel Pellegrini or someone else that Hazard and the next candidate on the list that Chelsea can flourish again and also achieve some stability. Just don't mention ball boy gate.
Juan Mata- Chelsea
One of my favorite players in the Premiership, Mata even when Chelsea has struggled this season has always stood out and the fact that he has having his best season goalscoring wise (18 in all competitions) and lead the assists statistics in the Premiership (10) suggests he is having his best season yet and the fact that he is still only 24 means that the best is yet to come from him and can be a force for Chelsea and Spain for years to come.
Luis Suarez- Liverpool
Having an amazing season(29 in all competitions for the Pool) and the fact that this season has been mainly controversy free Suarez has flourished as the main man on Merseyside this season and the variety of goals this season has been absolutely amazing. The best thing about Suarez for me is the way he can jinx past defenders and create space for himself to get a shot or pass off. He is the best in doing that in the Premership( and with the exception of Lionel Messi world football as well). If Suarez can stay grounded he can get even better and Liverpool will do very well to keep him. ill think he will stay one more season to see if they can get into the Champions League but probably not beyond that if they do not. Definitely one player that can be described as a fans favourite that is for sure.
Robin Van Persie- Manchester United
His move to Man. Utd. must have sent shudders down the spine to their title rivals and his addition as mainly predicted has been one of the major differences as to why Man Utd. are so far ahead of anyone else this season. in his prime and mainly injury free his contribution especially in the first half of the season for the Red Devils was hugely impressive and set Uniteds season rolling on both fronts. Second half he has cooled off a little bit but still maintained a presence as United ran away in the premiership and were unlucky to be knocked out in the Champions League. One of the favourites to win it.
Order I think it will come in.
1. Gareth Bale
2. Luis Suarez
3. Robin Van Persie
Other who deserve a mention
Michu- Swansea. Definitely bargain of the season Michu even though his all round play is average, his finishing ability is breathtaking and hell will move to a bigger club if nit next season definitely the season after and Swansea will make a huge profit for him. Be interesting to see if he can replicate this seasons form wherever he may be next season.
Santi Carzola- Arsenal
In what has been a barren season for Arsenal Carzola has shone like a beacon. Blessed with excellent technical ability and also his eye for a pass and having his best goalscoring season yet Carzola will be one to watch for next season as he enters his second season in the premiership.
Christian Benteke- Aston Villa
If Villa are going to stay up this season then they have a lot to thank this man for. His goals would have nearly single handily keep Villa up if indeed they are staying up. His physical presence and deft touch around the goal have been nothing short of superb and if Villa do go down there will be no shortage of takers for him. Nominated for Young player of the year alongside Hazard and Bale.
If there are any other players that you think should be included please comment and also who do you think deserves player of the year. Fascinating debates ahead!
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