15 Star Names of the Premier League Who Have No Chance of Being on PFA Shortlist
The Professional Footballers' Association will announce this year's Player of the Year shortlist on Friday, April 17, but not every Premier League star is bristling with excitement in anticipation of the big reveal.
For some, the 2014-15 campaign has brought about another season of genuine class, such as Eden Hazard's leading displays for Chelsea, while Tottenham's Harry Kane has been more of a welcome surprise among the elite.
And then there are those whose season has been so disappointing they simply cannot stake a claim for Player of the Year, whether it be due to lack of playing prominence, injury woes or simply failing to meet expectations.
Some of those included ahead have all been hailed as top talents in the past, but for one reason or another, this season simply hasn't gone their way and they may well be glad just to see the back of it.
Honourable Mentions
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Loic Remy, Chelsea
In hindsight, Loic Remy only has himself to blame for any disappointment at how his maiden term with Chelsea has played out, having done little more than offer injury cover for Diego Costa for the entire season.
With five goals in 16 appearances thus far and a Premier League title in sight, there are of course upsides that come with the Frenchman's relocation last summer, but he would undoubtedly do better starting for another team.
Ron Vlaar, Aston Villa
Something of an understated asset at times, Ron Vlaar is well able to boast of his ability these days. Aston Villa may be vying to avoid relegation, but the Netherlands international remains a revered defensive figure of the English top flight.
Unfortunately for the Villans, Vlaar's injury woes have in part worsened what's been a dire season for stretches, but the 30-year-old Dutchman—out of contract this summer—always improves their standing at the back.
Daniel Sturridge, Liverpool
Again, injury has derailed what could have been such a bright campaign for Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge, who looked set to finally take his place as leading front man in the wake of Luis Suarez's move to the Camp Nou last summer.
As it stands, though, the England forward has managed to net just four goals in his 12 Premier League outings this term, and the Player of the Year contender from 2014 will miss out on that duel this time around.
1. Eliaquim Mangala, Manchester City
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Some may say it's still too early to tell, but Eliaquim Mangala's failure to produce since moving to Manchester City last year is the kind of stuff for which the term "transfer flop" was invented.
After becoming the most expensive defender in British history following his £31.9 million switch from Porto, a lot was expected of the France international; he hasn't lived up to the billing.
Struggling to adjust at the Etihad Stadium, Mangala has shown City's funds may certainly have been more efficiently invested, with James Masters of The Times juxtaposing the impact he and similarly priced Diego Costa have had this season.
City manager Manuel Pellegrini may still have a shred of trust in the central defender, mainly because he's obligated to, but it speaks volumes that veteran Martin Demichelis may well be considered the superior option.
2. Juan Cuadrado, Chelsea
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We've been somewhat unfair on Chelsea import Juan Cuadrado considering he only completed his move to Stamford Bridge in January, but to omit him due to that would imply a winter transfer is incapable of winning PFA Player of the Year.
Upon leaving Florence, the winger was regarded as one of Serie A's hottest assets and part of the Colombian revolution currently electrifying Europe, but his reputation has only declined in recent months.
It as always expected that contending with the likes of Eden Hazard and Willian would pose its problems, but Cuadrado's future may be at threat, having played just 187 Premier League minutes and making very little impact.
3. Radamel Falcao, Manchester United
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One would be hard-pressed to find a player in world football whose decline in 2014-15 has been quite as severe as Radamel Falcao's, going from hotshot to cold case in a matter of months.
The Colombian's low-risk, season-long loan from Monaco had all the attributes to be a superb bit of business for Manchester United, but his failures have shown even a temporary deal can be declared a bust.
Some cite last year's anterior cruciate ligament injury as having a horrendous impact on Falcao's form, and such claims could well be judged fair, but it doesn't stop the fact that he won't be taking any individual awards this term.
Compared to the prolific hitman Europe's masses adored at Porto and Atletico Madrid, the striker's record of four goals in 23 United appearances—most of which have only been cameos—pales in comparison.
4. Romelu Lukaku, Everton
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Everton broke policy and the bank to bring in Romelu Lukaku for a club-record fee of £28 million last summer, but a permanent transfer to Goodison Park hasn't improved the striker's scoring habits on Merseyside.
In fact, Lukaku has only managed to score eight Premier League goals this term, roughly half the number he bagged while under Roberto Martniez's charge on loan last season.
The 21-year-old has time on his hands to justify a steep price tag and prove his value yet, but in a campaign where Everton have failed to recapture the imagination of recent years, Lukaku's shortcoming have been prominent.
5. Jack Wilshere, Arsenal
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Some may well argue as to whether Jack Wilshere currently classes as a star, managing only nine league appearances in what's been another horrid campaign for the midfielder injury-wise.
A recurrence of the ankle injury that's already led to Wilshere missing so much of his early development calls into questioning if he'll ever attain consistent fitness; he's played just 53 league games in the past three seasons.
In 2011, some may have looked upon the England international and foretold tales of massive accolades in the years to come, with Arsene Wenger undoubtedly among that number at the time.
As we near the end of this season, however, Wilshere certainly hasn't contributed enough to the Arsenal cause to be considered for any plaudits, despite the Gunners' upward trajectory of late.
6. Steven Gerrard, Liverpool
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The departing Liverpool captain may cut a wiser figure in his older age, but this certainly hasn't been a vintage campaign for Steven Gerrard, heading for Major League Soccer later this year.
Some veterans are of the pedigree that even when bowing out at the top level their quality is retained, but we've seen a noticeable decline in Gerrard's case, showing every one of his 34 years at times.
The Reds legend has still managed to bag six goals in his 20 Premier League starts—four of which have come from the penalty spot—but even Brendan Rodgers will admit it's time for a new dynasty to take its place.
7. Angel Di Maria, Manchester United
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An intriguing summer transfer window lies ahead for Manchester United, where one of those potentially heading for the exit could be Angel Di Maria, who arrived at the club for a record figure of £59.7 million less than a year ago.
Speaking on Sky Sports' La Liga podcast this week, Terry Gibson alleged the Argentinian could be lured back to former club Real Madrid as part of a swap deal, saying:
"It depends on the price, and depends if there’s any other business that Manchester United want to do with Real Madrid or vice versa. Would the two clubs come together in terms of transfer dealings? I’d be very surprised if Di Maria went back to Real Madrid."
Had Di Maria made more of an impression thus far with the Red Devils, there would assuredly be no trouble regarding his status at Old Trafford, but it's due to his stumbles that any speculation exists at all.
Having made 10 assists in the Premier League this term, the South American has sparkled in his own way for periods, but it's hardly been frequent enough to be considered Player of the Year-worthy.
8. Jan Vertonghen, Tottenham Hotspur
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Tottenham Hotspur's 2014-15 season has been a roller coaster of ups and downs, but one thing for sure is that any success they've come upon isn't down to sterling defence.
Jan Vertonghen has featured as part of the leakiest back line in the top of the table, conceding more goals than Hull City and Aston Villa after 32 outings.
Of course it would be unfair to pile unnecessary blame on Vertonghen alone, and one may in fact call the Belgian one of Mauricio Pochettino's more impressive defenders, but he's still a mile off the previous best showcased in England.
9. Filipe Luis, Chelsea
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A dismal first year in England has seen 2014 recruit Filipe Luis make just seven Premier League starts for Chelsea, despite establishing himself as one of Europe's star defenders with Atletico Madrid last season.
Jose Mourinho appears only concerned with what he perceives to be the optimum, however, and for the Portuguese, Cesar Azpilicueta remains the first-choice left-back at Stamford Bridge, keeping Luis out of the side.
There was speculation earlier in April that a return to the Vicente Calderon could lie ahead for the Brazil international, but Luis swatted away those rumours, per the Daily Mail's Sam Cunningham, saying: "I’m happy at Chelsea. I want to stay at the club until the end of my contract."
Still a prominent figure in Dunga's Brazil side, Luis evidently has bags of talent, but it appears a transition to the English approach is taking its time, and he still has some proving to do in Mourinho's eyes.
10. Yaya Toure, Manchester City
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Perhaps the most contentious candidate included in terms of genuine PFA Player of the Year credentials, we've seen glimpses of Yaya Toure's best this season, but Pellegrini knows as well as any that we've also seen his worst.
Following the 4-2 defeat in this month's Manchester derby, Toure earned the ire of former Manchester United defender and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville, who was quoted by Michael Gadd of the Daily Mail as saying:
"It's a crossroads for them now. There is definitely going to be change at Manchester City, whether it's players, the manager, people above. Certainly some players.
There are some weeds in the garden and you've got to get them out of the changing room pretty quick. You cannot carry passengers. He [Toure] does that much for the team in an attacking sense you live with maybe the consequences of that defensively.
But when the balance tips to a point when going forward isn't quite as effective as it once was, you've got to do something different because the defensive side is poor.
"
Neville is right in asserting that Toure's lack of commitment at the back can be something of a liability to his team at times, and it doesn't appear the former Barcelona man possesses the same grit and fire these days.
However, even with offence being the player strength, Toure's six goals from open play this season isn't nearly as impressive as the standards of last term's 20-goal haul.
A PFA Player of the Year should be either sensational in one particular category or, for a player in Toure's position, distinctive in all areas. This season, the 31-year-old has been neither.
11. Luke Shaw, Manchester United
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With Patrice Evra having vacated the left-back slot at Old Trafford and Luke Shaw filling it after making last season's PFA Team of the Year, it was largely proposed only good things lay ahead for the England international.
However, Shaw's maiden campaign for Manchester United has been riddled with injury and a struggle to impress new boss Louis van Gaal at times, making 13 top-flight appearances and 17 in total.
Even the former Southampton starlet admits this term has been sub-par, telling Match of the Day magazine (h/t Daily Mail's Luke Augustus) that he grades his 2014-15 campaign as a C-minus:
"It’s been a frustrating one because of the injuries I’ve picked up but I’m loving it. If I was to write a school report on my first season here I’d give myself a C-. You don’t realise just how big Man United is until you’re actually here – it’s frightening! It is the biggest club around."
It's true that the switch from St. Mary's to the Theatre of Dreams is a drastic one, and Shaw has unfortunately fallen victim to a steep incline—for now, at least.
12. Seamus Coleman, Everton
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Now might be the right time for one of the Premier League's bigger sides to consider investing in the talents of Seamus Coleman, whose value will be at a considerable low following his frustrations at Everton this season.
He, like numerous other Toffee stars, has failed to recapture the same vigour that led his side to fifth spot in 2014, but will be hoping this term is little more than an anomaly in the greater scheme of things.
Coleman has still managed to score three goals and make two assists, acceptable enough tallies for a full-back, but the Donegal native has slumped in a major way compared to what the Premier League masses have grown accustomed to.
13. Petr Cech, Chelsea
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It's no secret Petr Cech may consider this season his worst to date as a Chelsea player, at least on a personal level, after watching Thibaut Courtois reign in front of him as Mourinho's goalkeeper of choice.
It's no easy pill for the Stamford Bridge stalwart to swallow after standing tall as the Blues' bastion for more than a decade, especially after being elected to last season's PFA Team of the Year.
A summer exit seems almost inevitable for the three-time Premier League winner, and The Daily Telegraph's Matt Law recently appeared on Sky Sports' Sunday Supplement to say that Chelsea will allow Cech to choose his destination.
It's only a fair reward for the man who's been so loyal to the west London giants all these years and can still be a major player at the elite level. However, a season largely spent on the bench isn't going to produce any end-of-season recognition.
14. Victor Valdes, Manchester United
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Like the aforementioned Cuadrado, Victor Valdes is at a disadvantage in his running for PFA Player of the Year after only arriving at Manchester United in January, but he's a star all the same.
Destabilising David De Gea from Old Trafford's No. 1 spot in his current form would be an easy task for no stopper, and with Valdes still coming back from a serious knee injury last year, his spot in reserve is cemented.
That being said, Van Gaal was wise to offer the three-time Champions League winner a contract in the English top flight, and should any ill fate—or a transfer away—befall De Gea, the Red Devils have a capable alternative in waiting.
15. Bacary Sagna, Manchester City
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After leaving Arsenal on a free transfer to sign a three-year deal with Manchester City last summer, Bacary Sagna proclaimed title ambition was the fuel behind his desire to leave north London, per The Sun (h/t Mirror's Alex Richards):
"At Arsenal we lost our way every season in March or April. We would lose our grip on titles with the squad decimated by injuries. What was missing was trophies. Talks dragged on for a year and a half. Arsenal fans said I went to City for the money. But my contract was unchanged for six years."
Oh, how times change.
Fast forward 10 months and the Gunners are second while the Citizens sit in fourth, and with Sagna having made just nine league appearances under Manuel Pellegrini, with Pablo Zabaleta reigning as first-choice right-back.
The Daily Star's Paul Hetherington even claims City will look to shift Sagna on this summer, a sign of just how little use he's been to the Etihad giants, putting the final touches on one truly unremarkable season.
All statistics come courtesy of WhoScored.com and Squawka.com.
