The top 10 players who may feel aggrieved at not earning a nomination for PFA Player of the Year.
10. Santi Cazorla
Cazorla has had an excellent debut season in the Premier League since joining Arsenal from Malaga. The Spaniard has outshone his compatriots David Silva and Juan Mata on many occasions this season, and yet doesn’t find himself on the list. He also boasts slightly better stats than nominee Eden Hazard, with four more league goals and only one fewer assist, and a better passing accuracy than the Chelsea man.
9. Rickie Lambert
In the twilight of his career, the Southampton man has finally made the step up to the Premier League, and has continued his ruthless goalscoring form that he showed in the lower leagues. He has also shown great overall ability, slotting into Mauricio Pochettino’s slick passing game seamlessly. His performances have almost certainly helped the Saints secure Premier League survival.
8. Rafael Da Silva
The Brazilian right-back has come into his own this season for Manchester United, showing a great work-rate at the back as well as a willingness to get forward. One of many talented defenders who seem to have been overlooked at this season’s awards, but a few horror performances, most notably against Reading, probably hampered his chances.
7. Pablo Zabaleta
The Argentinian has become a real fans’ favourite at the Etihad Stadium, and although City have been disappointing in the defence of their Premier League title, Zabaleta arguably deserves a nomination for his individual displays more than surprise inclusion Michael Carrick.
6. Theo Walcott
The Arsenal forward has looked a different player this season, finally adding more of an end product to his game and notching up 11 goals and 10 assists. Admittedly, his form has dipped somewhat in the second half of the season and this may be why he didn’t make the final list.
5. Marouane Fellaini
The powerful Belgian has been a stand-out performer for Everon this season, catching the attention of a number of bigger clubs. It is therefore surprising to see that he didn’t make the final list of nominees. Perhaps if he seals a big transfer this summer he will get more recognition in the future.
4. Jan Vertonghen
The talented defender has been one of Tottenham’s best and most consistent performers this season since joining the club from Ajax. Showing a good mix of solidity at the back, he has also chipped in with important goals and been one of the best players in the league this year. Another player overlooked for being a defender, perhaps.
3. Christian Benteke
Although the Aston Villa striker found himself among the candidates for Young Player of the Year, Benteke has done enough to be counted among the very best players in the league this season. His goals have single-handedly kept Villa in with a fight of avoiding relegation, and they will struggle to keep the youngster at the club next year.
2. Leighton Baines
Five goals and Five assists from Baines do not tell the whole story; the left-back is the only player in Europe’s top five leagues to have create more than 100 goal-scoring chances this season, beating the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in that particular statistic. Baines has certainly been a crucial part of Everton’s challenge for a Champions League place but if the Toffees fail to secure a coveted top four spot, the 28-year-old is certainly another player who will be on the radar of bigger clubs this summer.
1. Michu
The most glaring absentee from the PFA nominations is surely Michu. The Swansea City man joined for just £2million from Racing Santander at the start of the season and has proven to be one of the most lethal strikers in the Premier League. Only the three favourites to win the award – Bale, Suarez and van Persie – have scored more goals than the Spaniard in the top flight. The previously little-known forward is on everyone’s lips now and could earn a call-up to the Spanish national team.