The English Football Association on Friday released the list of players nominated for the PFA Player of the Year Award as well as the PFA Young Player of the Year prize. The Player of the Year shortlist had the expected names - Gareth Bale, Robin Van Persie, Luis Suarez - Michu, though was one that did not feature on that list inspite of his considerable contributions to Swansea's stellar season.
But, it was the shortlist for the Young Player of the Year award that left a lot of question marks over the selection. A lot of fine young performers from other teams who have put in a lot of good work have been overlooked. The list of players nominated are - Gareth Bale, Jack Wilshere, Eden Hazard, Danny Welbeck, Christian Benteke and Romelu Lukaku.
Benteke for Aston Villa and Lukaku for West Brom were sure shot knock ins to be chosen. The two Belgian strikers have had exemplary seasons for their clubs; without Benteke's goals, Villa would be further down in the race to stave off relegation and Lukaku has become first choice striker at the Hawthornes after Peter Odemwingie's falling out and the frequent injuries to Shane Long.
£7m was the transfer fee that Villa coughed up to bring Benteke to Villa Park from Belgian side Genk. The 22 year old has been a revelation scoring 15 goals and lending 4 assists to Villa's cause as Paul Lambert's side continue to battle to try and avoid the drop. And the dependence on his goals has been huge with Benteke accounting for a staggering 41% of their overall goal tally of 36.
Lukaku, on loan from Chelsea, has had a similar impact for Steve Clarke and West Bromwich Albion. He has made 29 appearances for the club, 14 of them as a sub (in the early part of the season), with a return of 13 goals and 2 assists. I'd like to bring in the 3rd Belgian on the list too, Eden Hazard, who has had a fantastic debut season for the Blues. 8 goals and 9 assists are the statistical part of it, but his pace and dribbling coupled with top quality strikes show why Chelsea spent a whole lot of money in getting his signature.
The remaining three on the list - Wilshere, Bale, Welbeck - are not entirely convincing choices. Yes, Bale fits the age category, but he has been already nominated in the Player of the Year shortlist and is even odds-on favorite to win it; that nomination could well have been given to another player. Wilshere has had a sizable impact; every time he plays, Arsenal look a totally different side. But, he has made only 20 appearances and his season has been ravaged by injuries. Welbeck is the most surprising choice; it's true that he is one of the most improved players in the Manchester United team, however, one would stop short of saying that he has had a year worthy of a nomination. In 29 appearances ( 12 starts), he has scored just 1 goal and provided 4 assists. It doesn't matter that he has been played out wide; because when you are a striker, you cannot have a return of 1 goal and be nominated for a prestigious award. And it has not been for lack of scoring opportunities. By far, his was the most startling inclusion.
We've had a look at the three players who probably did not merit a place and the obvious argument that would be thrown in is "If not them, then who else?". Here's a list of young players, some not from the big glamorous teams, but certainly deserving of recognition for their efforts this season.
MATIJA NASTASIC, Manchester City
The 20 year old Serbian has been one of the bright spots in the City squad this term. After Roberto Mancini seemingly fell out of love with Joleon Lescott, the young Serbian centre-back immediately became a part of the manager's first team plans, and, he hasn't disappointed. With 19 appearances in total, all of them starts, Nastasic averages almost 2 tackles/game, 2 interceptions, 6 clearances. He also boasts a stupendous pass completion rate of 86% with 45 passes on average in a game; in other words, a ball-playing defender. In those 19 league games he has won 60.1% of duels, 66.7% of aerial duels, and won 93% of 30 tackles made in total; traits of a very good defender. When the Serbian has turned out for City, the defending champions have conceded a meagre 0.65 goals per game. He has by some distance been the best defender in the City back-line.
DAVID DE GEA, Manchester United
Yes, De Gea is a youngster being only 22 years old. And if one had to vouch for a youngster from United to be part of the list, it would be the Spanish stopper. He has made 25 appearances in all, helping his side with 75 saves, which if you do the simple math translates to 3 saves on average a game. He has also kept 10 clean sheets, 40% of his games. He is the third-best keeper in the Premier League by their own index behind Petr Cech and Joe Hart. Rafael at right-back has also had a good season, but De Gea for United has been crucial with his contributions on numerous occasions helping United not drop points.
NATHANIEL CLYNE, Southampton
Clyne was a target for many top clubs in the summer transfer window. Southampton ultimately pouched him and his performances have shown why he was so highly sought after. Clyne is one of the most used players for the Saints with 30 appearances to his credit, all of them starts. The young English right-back has scored 1 goal and chipped in with 3 assists and is a prime focal point for a lot of the Saints attacks with his marauding runs down the right flank. His pace and crossing ability have caused a lot of problems for opposition defences and his defending has improved as the season has gone on.
MORGAN SCHNEIDERLIN, Southampton
Another Saints player who deserves a nomination; 23 year old French midfielder Schneiderlin. Morgan plays in the deep-lying role for the Saints, between defence and midfield, like Patrick Viera used to do for Arsenal. Schneiderlin has played every single game for Southampton and boasts a stat line that's as impressive as they come; 5 goals, a pass completion rate of 84%, 3 Man of the Match awards, 4.3 tackles on average a game and 3.8 interceptions per game. He is the lynch-pin in the Southampton team and has formed a formidable partnership with Gaston Ramirez and Adam Lallana in midfield.
BEN DAVIES, Swansea City
When Neil Taylor, Swansea's regular left-back, fell victim to a horror broken leg against West Ham United on 25 August, 2012, Michael Laurdrup turned to 19 year old academy graduate Ben Davies. Since then, Davies has come in and made that place his own and even with Taylor set to return to action looks set to keep his place in the starting XI. 32 appearances in all, 29 starts and 3 as a sub, the Welsh teenager has been rock-solid at the back and became the youngest goal scorer in Swansea's history when he scored his solitary goal of the season so far against Stoke City at home. He also has 2 assists to his name and has helped his team keep 7 clean sheets. Davies has put in 60 successful tackles and made 54 interceptions to go with 9 blocked shots.
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