We are quickly coming to the end of another Premier League season, this year has been a bit of a let down really. There have without a doubt been a few good games, but the title was I think easy to predict at the start of the season, and has largely been handed to Chelsea by rival clubs. I feel there has also been a lack of real outstanding individual performances this season, and this may be due to the fall out from last summers FIFA World Cup. Nevertheless there has still been a lot to cheer for this season, the rise of another potential English star in Harry Kane from Spurs, Eden Hazard's seems to be improving with every game we watch, and Alexis Sanchez has found the transition from La Liga to the Premier League to be an easy one.
So who's been the player of the year? For me it is out of 5 obvious candidates.
Eden Hazard (Chelsea) - The Belgium hit-man has shown fans of the Premier league some truly outstanding performances this campaign, his quick feet and excellent technique, combined with some truly phenomenal dribbling skills have excited fans around the country and made life incredibly hard for opponents. He has notched 17 goals and 10 assists in all competitions this season (Espn.com), a truly brilliant tally from a winger, not forgetting the season still has 7 games left, I think he could easily get to 20 goals and over 15 assists. But its the artistry of his every performance that separates him from other candidates for player of the year. He makes things look so easy, shades of Lionel Messi are defiantly apparent with Eden Hazard. Zinedine Zidane has quoted: "I would take him to Madrid with my eyes closed". This shows the aesthetic appreciation the Chelsea man has from other football powerhouses around Europe. I think he will continue to improve in coming years, and will be a difficult asset for Chelsea to retain.
Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) - What a season the Englishman has had so far. He seems like a complete forward, can score from outside the box, headers, and a very competent penalty taker. What's even better about the emergence of Harry Kane is that he is English, and it will be a massive boost to England's 2016 European Championship final's. Kane has scored 30 goals this season in all competitions. A remarkable state considering last year Kane only managed 4 goals in the whole season (Opta), and was only a fringe striker for Tottenham. I certainly regard Kane as a very good player, but i'm not sure if he is world class, if you look at the goals he scores, a high proportion is from inside the box and from scrappy situations. It will be interesting if next season he can repeat what he has done this season and improve even more.
Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) - For me, why he stands out is largely down to how he has managed to come from La Liga to the Premier League and adapt very well, and perform even better than when he was playing in the Red and Blue of Barcelona. Many players who make the switch from La Liga to the Premier league tend to really struggle to adapt to the physicality or the pressure of the Country, for example; Iago Aspas (Liverpool), Esteban Granero (Q.P.R), Alvaro Negredo (Man City), and arguably Mesut Ozil (Arsenal). That is what make his season so special, he has scored truly stunning goals and a lot of them; notching 20 goals in all competitions and grabbing 11 assists in the process (Goal.com). Without a doubt he is one of Wenger's best signings and one of the best players to arrive into the Premier League from La Liga in recent years. I must admit I thought as a player who relies on speed and neat dribbling, I thought he would struggle with the physical side of the league and possibly find it very difficult. However he has proved me wrong and could be on course to win the PFA player of the year award.
David De Gea (Manchester United) - The PFA player of the year award is not normally won by a goalie, the last time a keeper won the award was back in 1978, when Peter Shilton won the prestigious award. But this season has seen David De Gea become a serious possible contention for the award. Single handed he has managed to win Manchester United points in big games, becoming unstoppable in some games. Against Everton in October De Gea saved a penalty and a string of other close range chances on goal, and from then after marvelous performances against Arsenal and Chelsea respectively have given him a huge chance to win the award. The Spanish Stopper also has 10 clean sheets in the Premier League this season so far, and without De Gea Manchester United would not be in the top 4 this season, he has been crucial.
Diego Costa (Chelsea) - Costa had a very poor world cup by his standards, and many Chelsea fans were wondering what their £32M pounds has been spent on. The powerful striker looked burnt out after a remarkable season at Althletico Madrid, but since then he has come to the Premier League and scored bags of goals for Chelsea, with a tally of 21 in all competitions. He has also suffered with many little injuries throughout the campaign and would have scored many more goals had he been given more luck on the injury front. He plays with no pressure on his shoulders, and is perfect for the Premier League because he is about as physical as it gets. I like this player a lot, I like the way he plays and the way in which he has no fear when fighting with defenders in an attempt to break them down and score goals. At 26 years of age, remarkably, I don't even think he has reached his prime yet and can easily improve a few aspects of his game and become better. Next season if he is luckier with injuries he is an absolute certainty for the Golden Boot.
In conclusion, I feel that overall the best player in the Premier League this season, and so far, has been Alexis Sanchez. A true special player, and with a real talent for scoring special goals. A power house on the wing and someone who is a real joy to watch every week. It was a close run contest for me between the Chilean and David De Gea. Both have made huge contributions to their respective teams this season, but I feel Alexis has entertained fans of the Premier League that little bit more!
Team of the Season; De Gea, Baines, Terry, Shawcross, Clyne, Sanchez, Fabregas, Cazorla, Hazard, Costa, Kane.
Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) - For me, why he stands out is largely down to how he has managed to come from La Liga to the Premier League and adapt very well, and perform even better than when he was playing in the Red and Blue of Barcelona. Many players who make the switch from La Liga to the Premier league tend to really struggle to adapt to the physicality or the pressure of the Country, for example; Iago Aspas (Liverpool), Esteban Granero (Q.P.R), Alvaro Negredo (Man City), and arguably Mesut Ozil (Arsenal). That is what make his season so special, he has scored truly stunning goals and a lot of them; notching 20 goals in all competitions and grabbing 11 assists in the process (Goal.com). Without a doubt he is one of Wenger's best signings and one of the best players to arrive into the Premier League from La Liga in recent years. I must admit I thought as a player who relies on speed and neat dribbling, I thought he would struggle with the physical side of the league and possibly find it very difficult. However he has proved me wrong and could be on course to win the PFA player of the year award.
David De Gea (Manchester United) - The PFA player of the year award is not normally won by a goalie, the last time a keeper won the award was back in 1978, when Peter Shilton won the prestigious award. But this season has seen David De Gea become a serious possible contention for the award. Single handed he has managed to win Manchester United points in big games, becoming unstoppable in some games. Against Everton in October De Gea saved a penalty and a string of other close range chances on goal, and from then after marvelous performances against Arsenal and Chelsea respectively have given him a huge chance to win the award. The Spanish Stopper also has 10 clean sheets in the Premier League this season so far, and without De Gea Manchester United would not be in the top 4 this season, he has been crucial.
Diego Costa (Chelsea) - Costa had a very poor world cup by his standards, and many Chelsea fans were wondering what their £32M pounds has been spent on. The powerful striker looked burnt out after a remarkable season at Althletico Madrid, but since then he has come to the Premier League and scored bags of goals for Chelsea, with a tally of 21 in all competitions. He has also suffered with many little injuries throughout the campaign and would have scored many more goals had he been given more luck on the injury front. He plays with no pressure on his shoulders, and is perfect for the Premier League because he is about as physical as it gets. I like this player a lot, I like the way he plays and the way in which he has no fear when fighting with defenders in an attempt to break them down and score goals. At 26 years of age, remarkably, I don't even think he has reached his prime yet and can easily improve a few aspects of his game and become better. Next season if he is luckier with injuries he is an absolute certainty for the Golden Boot.
In conclusion, I feel that overall the best player in the Premier League this season, and so far, has been Alexis Sanchez. A true special player, and with a real talent for scoring special goals. A power house on the wing and someone who is a real joy to watch every week. It was a close run contest for me between the Chilean and David De Gea. Both have made huge contributions to their respective teams this season, but I feel Alexis has entertained fans of the Premier League that little bit more!
Team of the Season; De Gea, Baines, Terry, Shawcross, Clyne, Sanchez, Fabregas, Cazorla, Hazard, Costa, Kane.
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