Who would be your Premier League player of the season so far?
Richard Neale
Matt Dickinson makes a very valid comment in his column this morning concerning the outstanding candidates for the Footballer of the Year award. His point is: there aren’t any (or very few, at least).
Cristiano Ronaldo may have picked up the Fifa World Player of the Year trophy last night, but that was more in recognition for his efforts in Manchester United’s Premier League and Champions League-winning campaign of last season, rather than the current season, when he has been decidedly average.
Wayne Rooney has been extremely good in short spurts, but not world-beating on a consistent basis, while Carlos Tevez has been a shadow of the player who so impressed at Old Trafford last season. Ditto John Terry, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard for Chelsea, three reasons why the Stamford Bridge side appear not to be destined for honours in 2008-09. Are Nicolas Anelka’s 14 goals enough for consideration when he contributes precious little else?
Fernando Torres has been injured for much of Liverpool’s season, Steven Gerrard has been good, but his mind may be turned by an upcoming court case and, while Ashley Young might have been turning heads for Aston Villa, has he really done enough to win an award that Ryan Giggs never has? Quite. And can you pick a regularly outstanding performer for Arsenal this season? No, neither can I.
What do we normally do here when we haven’t got a clue: we pass the buck over to you, our esteemed readers. Therefore, the question to you today is this: if we made you pick a Premier League player of the season right now, who would get your vote and why?
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Chris H Could you get your head out of your scouse bum!
Palacios has been a revelation as has Agbonlahor and Walcott
Rooney will one day be World football of the year!
How about Martin O'Neill for best manager?
Posted by: Big Al | 15 Jan 2009 14:00:40
1: Xabi Alonso
2: Vidic
3: Carragher
Posted by: Chris H | 15 Jan 2009 08:06:45
Steven Gerrard
Wayne Rooney
Park
Alonso
Young
Rio F
Vidic
Ashley Cole
Lampard
S Ireland
Glenn Johnson
Evra
Darren Fletcher
Bellamy
Thats my choice so far
Posted by: Ez Reeves | 14 Jan 2009 23:22:12
1. Wayne Rooney
2. Xabi Alonso
3. Seamus Given
Posted by: Marc | 14 Jan 2009 15:28:49
3 points: Alonso
2 points: Young
1 point: Vidic
Posted by: Yasunaga | 14 Jan 2009 13:59:27
Nemanja Vidic has been excellent all year but defenders never seem to get the big prizes.
Posted by: Gary Johnson | 14 Jan 2009 13:11:45
I think Brede Hangeland from Fulham has done very well this season.
Also Jamie O'Hara for Spurs has always made a difference when Spurs has needed it the most.
Posted by: Tootings Child | 14 Jan 2009 03:33:47
1. Alonso
2. Alonso
3. Alonso
Posted by: brendanm | 14 Jan 2009 00:00:21
vidic, van persie or adebayor especially adebayor since he was also african player of the year
Posted by: g | 13 Jan 2009 22:06:54
xabi alonso is the best player of premier league
Posted by: edu | 13 Jan 2009 19:31:01
G Bale for an outstandin premier record... Seriously M Turner at Hull and the obvious choice Vidic.
Posted by: rusel | 13 Jan 2009 19:26:56
Only one player.......ALONSO!
Posted by: Robert Postuma | 13 Jan 2009 18:20:55
It has got to be Shay Given, closely followed by Brad Friedl. I would have nominated Ballack, but he seems to have lost the ability to run.
Posted by: Bryan | 13 Jan 2009 17:57:05
How about Jermaine Pennant? Attracting attention from all over Europe? Must be having a blinder!
Posted by: Alex | 13 Jan 2009 17:54:32
There have been some suggestions of Mikel Arteta, but every Everton fans knows that Phil Jagielka (with the exception of two mistakes against Aston Villa) has been Everton's player of the season so far and as good as any defender in the Premier League since January 2008. Arteta in contrast has underperformed for the majority of this season.
Posted by: Jake10000 | 13 Jan 2009 17:54:02
Popular opinion seems to be on the right track for once. The three standout performers in the Premier League over the first half of the season have been Nemanja Vidic, Xabi Alonso and Ashley Young.
Posted by: Jeeves | 13 Jan 2009 17:53:09
Bentley
Guthrie
Eboue
All up for players player in my humble opinion!
Posted by: Fat Alun of Royal Berkshire | 13 Jan 2009 17:50:53
Ireland and Alonso have been the most consistent players this season. Vidic, Gerrard (Matt, Im not sure what his course case has got to do with anything?) and Van Persie are also good shouts. Agbonlahor could get young player if he continues to score goals.
Posted by: Ola | 13 Jan 2009 17:48:46
Lloyd Doyley. End Of.
Posted by: Brian Jones | 13 Jan 2009 16:03:18
1. Vidic
2. Given
3. Alonso
Young Player:
1. Young
2. Agbonlahor
3. Evans
Posted by: Sam | 13 Jan 2009 14:59:35
Definitely Ireland for me. He's been playing out of his skin - week in week out - and upstaging the returning SWP and Elano.
I'd have Ashley Young as runner up.
And Vidic, Given and Van Persie would round out the top five.
Posted by: Andy | 13 Jan 2009 14:43:00
Vidic, Lampard and Alonso are for me the obvious candidates, and then there is Gerrard who is never far from an awards ceremony. Arteta deserves a shout, constantly an 8/10 performer for a mid table club - a real match winner for Everton. I think one man that has been looked past is Darren Fletcher, he has been a different class this season shown by the fact that he has solidified his place in the Manchester United team ahead of Carrick and Scholes. Shay Given must also be in with a chance.
Posted by: Tom Wesseldine | 13 Jan 2009 12:51:19
Vidic all the way.
Posted by: Bledi | 13 Jan 2009 12:12:38
How can you look past Given, 10 years behind the worst defence in the league and finally getting the recognition for what we in Newcastle have always known. Best in the league bar none.
Posted by: Chris | 13 Jan 2009 12:04:07
His team might be duff, but not a mention for Stephen Ireland at Man City. He has been outstanding for a poor side.
Lampard, Vidic and Ashley Young would complete the standout performers with Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerrard, Gareth Barry, Mikel Arteta and Robin Van Persie in the next tier
Posted by: DR | 13 Jan 2009 10:43:14