Drogba, Fabregas, Gerrard Among Top 25 Contenders For EPL Player of the Year
After the first five weeks of Premier League action, it is quite easy to see why the EPL is among the most followed leagues in the world. Many of the games have been quite exciting and close encounters, decided by a moment of brilliance or madness, and you do find one-sided games in which teams are steamrolled. But the Premier League will always be an interesting league to follow because of the quality of players in the EPL.
The EPL is one of the most competitive leagues in the world, and they do have quality players who can make the difference for their respective clubs. Wayne Rooney was voted as the PFA Player of the Year by his peers for his impressive exploits in the last season, beating Carlos Tevez, Didier Drogba and Cesc Fabregas to the award.
This time around, there are a number of quality players who would love to win it, and I am going to rank the players in terms of their chances on being the EPL Player of the Year.
25. Andy Carroll: Striker (Newcastle United)
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Andy Carroll wears the legendary No. 9 Newcastle shirt this season, and he carries with him the hopes of England and Newcastle supporters that he will follow Wayne Rooney as the next big striker for England. He has been impressive in this season so far, scoring four goals, including a sensational hat-trick against Aston Villa in a 6-0 victory for Newcastle.
He is a strong, talented striker with excellent aerial ability, and hopes to guide Newcastle to a top-half finish in this season. He does seem an excellent prospect, and Chris Hughton will have a tough job of retaining his services in the future.
24. Pepe Reina: Goalkeeper (Liverpool)
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Pepe Reina had a poor start to the season, when his error gifted Arsenal the equaliser in the closing moments of the exciting encounter at Anfield. But he is one of the best goalkeepers in the league, and most people expected him to put the blunder behind him, which he did in style against Birmingham.
His performance against Birmingham City was the sole reason that Liverpool at least earned a point from the 0-0 draw. He made some ridiculous saves and kept Birmingham at bay throughout the match. However, Liverpool's shaky defence could see him exposed on a lot of occasions this season, which could result in fewer clean sheets for the Spaniard.
23. Patrice Evra: Manchester United (Left Back)
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Patrice Evra had nothing short of a disastrous World Cup this year, when he captained France in South Africa. Sir Alex Ferguson granted him an extra week for holidays to give him time to recover mentally from the World Cup. But now the Frenchman is back with renewed vigour for the Red Devils and hopes to have a strong season for Manchester United.
Evra is one of the best left backs in the world and is an integral part of this Manchester United side. His overlapping runs down the left wing provide a lot of options for the Red Devils, and he is also very competent in defence, making him one of the most complete fullbacks in the world.
22. Fernando Torres: Striker (Liverpool)
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The talented Spaniard has been out of form for a while now, and his recent injuries have caused him a lot of worry. He was poor in the World Championship for Spain, which resulted in him being benched for the last two games. He has also struggled so far for Liverpool this season, but his importance to the side can be shown in that the only win for Liverpool was through a well-struck Torres goal.
Fernando Torres is a classy player and should put his bad form behind him in the next few games. If Torres does return to his best, then Liverpool can beat any team on their day, and despite their poor start, they will have a decent chance of finishing in the top four.
21. Mikel Arteta: Midfielder (Everton)
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Mikel Arteta is one of the most talented midfielders in the Premier League, and if anyone can resurrect Everton's poor start to the season, Arteta can do it for the Merseysiders. He missed a large chunk of last season due to injuries, but was excellent in the second half of the season.
He has excellent vision, passing range, and creativity to inspire Everton to perform better. In the absence of Phil Neville, he is the temporary captain, signifying his importance to Everton. He also scored the equaliser against Manchester United in the thrilling 3-3 draw and is the key to the club emerging strongly from their recent disappointments.
20. Joe Hart: Goalkeeper (Manchester City)
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The young Englishman has now established himself as the first-choice keeper for both Manchester City and England and will look to continue his impressive form. He was outstanding last season when he was loaned out to Birmingham. He has returned to Eastlands to dislodge Shay Given as the first-choice goalkeeper.
Barring his error against Blackburn, he has been simply marvellous this year, and his man-of-the-match performance against Tottenham deserves a special mention. He has also excelled for City in games against Liverpool and a few others, and he has been safe in the Qualifiers for England.
19. Yaya Toure: Midfielder (Manchester City)
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Yaya Toure was signed by Roberto Mancini from Barcelona for a figure close to £25 million, and reports suggest he is amongst the highest-paid players in the EPL. It is easy to see why Mancini wanted him at any cost, because he adds steel to the midfield and is also adept at creating chances for his team.
He has had a successful career, winning many major trophies. It is this experience that could prove invaluable to the Citizens, apart from his impressive talent. He is already one of the most important players for City, and it has not taken much time for the Ivory Coast international to adjust to England.
18. Michael Essien (Chelsea)
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The African has established himself as one of the most important players for Chelsea and is a regular starter for the present champions. Essien was injured for a large part of last season, but he has returned to full fitness and has immensely contributed in Chelsea's flying start this season.
Essien adds a lot of steel to the midfield, and following the departure of Michael Ballack, his role in the side is even more important. He is a crisp passer who creates numerous opportunities to the attacking players, and he is also effective in breaking down a number of opposition attacks.
17. Adam Johnson: Winger (Manchester City)
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Adam Johnson was one of the finest English prospects to emerge last season, when he joined Manchester City in January from Middlesbrough. Johnson was excluded from the World Cup, but he has put in strong performances for City; and even though City have signed a lot of stars this summer, he has managed to hold on to his spot in the 11.
The tricky winger has also been called up for England, and his future is on a steep upward curve. He has proved that he can trouble the best defenders in the world with his runs and tricks. He can also finish well and crosses accurately into the box. This season he will get a number of opportunities to exhibit his superb talent and cement his place in the England team as well.
16. Marouane Chamakh: Striker (Arsenal)
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Arsene Wenger has long been linked with the signing of Marouane Chamakh, and the former Bordeaux player came to the Emirates in the summer on a free transfer. He is in the running for the best free signing of the season, after having already scored three goals for the Gunners and also winning three penalties.
Robin van Persie's injury problems have been a concern for the Gunners for a long time now, but Chamakh's acquisition will surely bolster Arsenal's attacking options, as he offers good aerial ability as well, which was something that Arsenal lacked last year. He has blended seamlessly with the Arsenal squad and is an important player for the Gunners this season.
15. Ashley Cole: Left Back (Chelsea)
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Ashley Cole's private life has come under scrutiny from the English media in the recent past, but it seems not to have affected his football in any way. He has been excellent for Chelsea in this season and continues to be one of the most valuable players for the Premier League Champions.
He is a strong tackler, reads the game well, and is even regarded by Cristiano Ronaldo as the toughest left back he has ever been up against. His marauding runs down the left flank are a cause for concern for any right back, who is sure to have his task cut out for him against Florent Malouda and Ashley Cole.
14. Darren Bent: Striker (Sunderland)
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Sunderland signed the Ghanaian international Asamoah Gyan for a record transfer of around £13 million to boost their attacking options, but Darren Bent will yet again be the most important player for the Black Cats. Bent has been one of the most consistent players in the Premier League this season, and last season he scored 24 goals in the EPL, making him the second-highest English goalscorer behind Wayne Rooney.
Bent was unfortunate to be excluded from the England squad for the World Cup, but if he does continue to put in these impressive performances, it would be really hard for the England manager to neglect him from the squad.
13. Rafael Van Der Vaart (Tottenham)
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Rafael van der Vaart was signed by Tottenham from Real Madrid at a real bargain price of around £8 million, just minutes before the transfer window deadline. Van der Vaart will add a lot a creativity to the Spurs and also has vast experience playing for some elite clubs in the past; his Champions League experience will be invaluable for the London club.
He has already developed a good rapport and has not looked out of place in the Tottenham side. His flashes of brilliance could prove to be the difference in a lot of games for the Spurs. Harry Redknapp has shown his shrewdness in nabbing the Dutch playmaker for a really low price, and the flying Dutchman can have a huge impact on Tottenham this year.
12. John Terry: Centre Back (Chelsea)
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Carlo Ancelotti said John Terry was born with a captain's armband, and I find it hard to argue the fact. Let alone his private life, this guy will give his heart out on the field. Even when his form dipped temporarily after shocking revelations of his private life came to the spotlight, he was a leader on the pitch and was inspirational for the Blues.
With the departure of the experienced Ricardo Carvalho to Real Madrid, Terry's presence at the centre of defence is all the more important. His talents are well known, and should he be consistent throughout the season, Chelsea will be hard to break down. Captain Terry can help Chelsea retain the title with some inspirational performances, and he will undoubtedly be a key player for the club.
11. Florent Malouda: Winger (Chelsea)
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Florent Malouda has transformed into one of the best wingers in the Premier League in the last couple of seasons, and he has been great in this season so far, scoring as many goals as Didier Drogba, which is an achievement in itself. His chemistry with Ashley Cole has also been instrumental in him performing very well for Chelsea.
He is one of the best wingers in the Premier League, sure to trouble defences with his incisive passing and pin-point crosses. It will not be a surprise if he does manage to tally over 20 goals this season.
10. Dimitar Berbatov: Striker (Manchester United)
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Dimitar Berbatov was linked with a possible exit from Manchester United in the summer, but Sir Alex Ferguson was intent on retaining the striker, bought for around £30 million from Tottenham. Berbatov has not had a particularly fruitful time at Manchester United till this season, when he has shown that he has it in him to be one of the most important player for the Red Devils.
He has already scored six goals in only five games, including an important goal against Everton and a sensational hat-trick against rival Liverpool. His sublime volley against Liverpool was another indication why Ferguson decided to spend so much on the experienced striker. If his early season form is anything to go by, he could well be the driving force that Manchester United require to reclaim the Premier League trophy.
9. Thomas Vermaelen: Centre Back (Arsenal)
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Arsenal made arguably the best signing of last season when they bought the former Ajax captain, Thomas Vermaelen. Not the tallest of defenders but certainly skilled, he was one of Arsenal's players of the season. He has great aerial ability, and his ball control is better than some of the strikers in the Premier League. He had a marvellous debut season in the EPL, where he managed to break into the PFA team of the year.
With the departures of Mikael Silvestre, Sol Campbell, and William Gallas from the club, Vermaelen will be the rock upon which the Arsenal defence will be built. But he will undoubtedly be helped by the impressive new signings, Sebastien Squillaci and Laurent Koscielny. Vermaelen is a key player in the squad, and his leadership at the back is important for the Gunners to mount a successful title challenge.
8. Nemanja Vidic: Defender (Manchester United)
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He has been one of the stars of the Premier League and is among the best defenders in Europe. The Serbian will be integral to Manchester United's hopes of winning the Premier league. His absence contributed to the club's worries last season, but now that he is fit, fans hope to see the best of Vidic.
Tall and strong, Vidic possesses every aspect that is required of a quality defender. Never one to back away from a challenge, he is the man to anchor the defence for Manchester United. He also scores important goals from set-pieces, which can be very useful in tight matches. Vidic has all the attributes needed for a modern-day defender, and the Manchester United captain will be a very important player this season.
7. Gareth Bale: Winger (Tottenham)
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Gareth Bale has gone from being unsuccessful initially with the Spurs to one of Tottenham's most potent weapons. He scored in vital games against Arsenal and Chelsea last season, which helped them acquire the Champions League spot ahead of Manchester City and Liverpool.
He has also started this season strongly, with impressive showings in many of the matches so far. His brace against Stoke, which included a wonder goal, was one of the most important contributions for Tottenham this season. His pace will always trouble defenders, and he also crosses the ball decently, which is a very important aspect of his game. He provides width to their game and can influence games on his own.
6. Carlos Tevez: Striker (Manchester City)
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The new Manchester City captain is arguably the most important player for the club, and it is very important that he stays fit and happy at City. Tevez is a striker who will give his heart and soul for the team, and he also can inspire the team to new heights. He has got great aerial ability and also a very good shooting range, which has helped him score a lot of goals.
The former Manchester United star was a revelation last year, scoring 23 goals, only in the Premier League. He kept City was in the running for the Champions League spot till the very end, but unfortunately could not make it to the top four. With some more valuable additions to the squad, Tevez will undoubtedly aim for a higher place this season.
5. Wayne Rooney: Striker (Manchester United)
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Wayne Rooney was voted as the best player in the EPL by his peers for his marvellous exploits in the last year. Following the exit of Cristiano Ronaldo,the former Everton player has taken centre stage for Manchester United and had his best season last year, scoring 23 goals in the Premier League alone.
However, his form has dipped since March following injuries, and revelations of his affair with a prostitute have not helped his club or country in this period. But under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson, he will emerge from this scenario a mentally stronger player: Expect him to recapture his form in the near future.
4. Frank Lampard: Midfielder (Chelsea)
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If there is a word to describe the contribution of Frank Lampard to Chelsea, it has to be consistent. Chelsea's Mr. Consistent has scored over 20 goals a season for five years now, and he has also won numerous Player of the Year awards from Chelsea fans. He is a complete attacking midfielder with good passing range, vision, and great shooting ability as well.
Lampard has contributed immensely to the success of Chelsea in the last five years. In addition to his goal-scoring prowess, he also has a healthy return of assists, which is the hallmark of a good attacking midfielder. He has been sidelined by injuries this season, but when he returns to full fitness, he will be a force to reckon with and surely will be an integral part of the team.
3. Steven Gerrard: Midfielder (Liverpool)
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The Liverpool and England captain has been in the midst of some disappointments for both club and country, but if anyone can resurrect the forlorn atmosphere at Anfield, it is their local lad Stevie G, who has the capability to lift the Liverpool team on his own. Gerrard committed his future to Liverpool despite their disappointments in the last season and has shown how passionate he is to the club with some rousing performances.
The attacking midfielder was not in the best of form last year, but in this new-look Liverpool midfield, he holds the key to attaining respectability in this season. His two goals against Manchester United showed his significance to the team, and he will look to fire on all cylinders for Liverpool to attain a Champions League spot next year.
2. Cesc Fabregas: Midfielder (Arsenal)
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Cesc Fabregas is one of the world's best attacking midfielders, and along with Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, he forms the trio of the best attacking midfielders in the EPL. The young Spaniard, aged 23, is already the inspirational captain of Arsenal, and is arguably, the most important player for the Gunners. His presence on the pitch inspires the whole team to do well, and that is why, whether or not Arsenal break their trophy drought, is largely in the hands of Fabregas.
Last year, he missed a large chunk of the season, owing to injuries, but still had the highest tally of goals and assists for the Gunners. He was the subject of transfer speculation in the last few years, but he has committed to Arsenal for this season, and he will look to make it a successful one for him, personally and for the club, which has helped in his development as a player.
1. Didier Drogba: Striker (Chelsea)
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Didier Drogba scored a whopping 29 goals for Chelsea in their successful Premier League season, and was the highest scorer of the season, last year. Drogba become a world-renowned superstar in his time at Chelsea, and is a fan favourite at Stamford bridge.
The Ivory Coast International terrorizes defenders with pace, power, skill and aerial ability. He is one of the most complete strikers in the world, and his importance to Chelsea is much more than only goals. His presence on the pitch is a threat to any opposition, and his only disappointment is that he has never won a Champions League title with Chelsea. He will be all charged up for this season, and look to end their quest for the elusive European title.
Notable Mentions
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26. Bacary Sagna: Right Back (Arsenal)
He is one of the most consistent right backs in the Premiership, and his no-nonsense defending, makes him a very important player for the Gunners.
27. Ashley Young: Winger (Aston Villa)
Following the departure of James Milner, Ashley Young will have to take up the mantle and take up the responsibility of being the most important player for Villa. The versatile youngster is immensely talented, and will hope to have a great season for Villa, who are in a bad period following the departures of former manager Martin O'Neill and Milner.
28. Tim Cahill: Midfielder (Everton)
Tim Cahill is one of the most important players for Everton along with Steven Pienaar, Mikel Arteta and Phil Jagielka. Everton have got off to a very poor start, and the Aussie will look to lift the spirit of the Merseysiders.
29. Samir Nasri: Midfielder (Arsenal)
The Frenchman was excluded from the France squad for the World Cup, but has bounced back from the disappointment by producing some stirring performances in the preseason, and against Liverpool and Tottenham (in the Carling Cup). He will look to have an impressive season for the Gunners, and might be the one to replace Cesc Fabregas, when the Spaniard is not fit.
30. Jermain Defoe: Striker (Tottenham)
Defoe was prolific, last season, scoring over 20 goals in the last season, and leading the Spurs to attain a Champions League spot. He is injured in this season, and will be sidelined for quite a long period, but when he does regain his fitness, he will be amongst the most important players for the Spurs.
