5 Reasons Everton's Marouane Fellaini Could Be Player of the Year in the EPL

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Everton's Marouane Fellaini could be the player of the Year in the EPL when May 2013 comes around.

Firstly, let's say this. There are three different types of Player of the Year awards for senior players in the EPL. The Premier League Player of the Season award, the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Players' Player of the year award, and the Football Writers' Association (FWA) Player of the Year award.

The one we are focusing on is the Premier League Player of the Season, or EPL Player of the Year, award.

Manchester City's Vincent Kompany picked up the Premier League Player of the Season Award last season for his displays while leading City to the title. Robin van Persie picked up the other two awards thanks to his tremendous individual season.

Here are five reasons Marouane Fellaini can be the EPL player of the year.

Key to Everton's Success

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The very fact that Marouane Fellaini will be key to any success that Everton has in the EPL makes him a viable candidate for this award.

Like Vincent Kompany was to Manchester City last year, Fellaini is extremely important for Everton.  Robin van Persie won his awards more for his individual achievements than for his teams', while Kompany was considered the instrumental man in a title-wining team.

While Everton may not win silverware, Fellaini can be compared to Kompany because of the makeup of his team—meaning they won't only rely on him—and his role in it.

While the Toffees were willing to let players like Jack Rodwell and Tim Cahill go, they made sure to keep hold of the Belgian because they know he can propel them to success.

Everton has a really good chance of challenging for a European spot with Fellaini leading the way.

Previous Winners and Voting Results

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Other previous winners have had significant impacts on their teams' success, and that is a major criteria. Performances are also key, and Marouane Fellaini already has two very good performances in the bag.

Kevin Phillips is a good example to look at where previous winners are concerned. Phillips won the Premier League Player of the Season with Sunderland in 1999/2000. (h/t www.webarchive.org)

His league-leading 30 goals were certainly a big part of that, but so was the fact that his performances helped Sunderland challenge for a European spot—though they didn't make it there in the end.

Juninho won it in the 1996/97 season despite his team, Middlesborough, getting relegated.(h/t www.webarchive.org)

Fellaini may not score 30 goals, but he should be quite productive in that area and he certainly won't be facing the prospect of relegation.

Should Fellaini help Everton beat one of the bigger teams to a European spot, preferably Champions League, he will certainly be in the running for the award.

His Versatility

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Marouane Fellaini's ability to play in a variety of positions centrally, and help his team greatly while playing in those positions, makes him a tough player to come against.

Throughout his time at Everton, Fellaini has performed in different roles for the club and excelled in each. This season he looks likely to play behind the forward, usually Nikica Jelavic, and has already produced in that position with two goals in three games.

Fellaini could also drop further back if teammates are injured, or circumstances in a game require it, and still be influential.

He Will Score Goals and Get Assists

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Marouane Fellaini has solid skills both on the ground and in the air, which make him a tough man to mark.

He's already shown his quality in the air with both his goals, but has some good touches on the ball as well.

Fellaini is a force on set pieces, and with other players like Steven Pienaar and Nikica Jelavic attracting attention, he will have opportunities in open play also.

Everton have been looking to play through the Belgian in its games so far and he will have plenty of chances to be both a provider and a scorer as the season continues.

Respect

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When reporting about Wayne Rooney's selection as the Barclay's Premier League Player of the season the Metro gave this description on the selection process.

"The decisions were made by the Barclays Awards Panel, which includes representatives from football's governing bodies, the media and fans."

Felliani has already received rave reviews this season and that can very well continue should he keep up his performances

His versatility and skills make him stand out amongst his peers and, according to his teammate Phil Jagielka who wrote for the Daily Mail, he is extremely tough to handle.

The Belgian's performances in these first few games showed doubters he is worthy of a top club. Though there may be some lows to go along with the highs, a successful season for Everton topped of by some great individual performances will see him be a major contender for the end of year award.