Who's the best ... EPL guns RVP, Bale and Suarez will be vying for individual honours. Source:AFP
The end of the Premier League season is fast approaching, meaning so too is the awards season and this edition will prove to be as contentious as it will be controversial.
Who has been the best player this season?
There are three clear contenders. Robin van Persie, Gareth Bale, Luis Suarez … but no clear winner. Somewhat reminiscent of boxing’s alphabet belts, there are three main gongs.
PFA Player’s Player of the Year – Voted by the players through their union from the start of February (do they still use carrier pigeons?). It is the most prestigious in the players’ eyes, because they vote for it. Journalists would argue ... “why the hell is a popularity contest amongst peers so... popular?”.
FWA Player of the Year – Voted by 400 journalists, with polls open from April 25 and all done electronically (pigeons be done with!). Players would argue... “what the hell would a bunch of scribes know?”.
Premier League Player of the Year – Obviously only takes into account deeds in Premier League matches, voted by a panel of fans, media and governing body types towards the end of the season. Players and uninvited journo’s might argue... “what the hell would that lot know?”
Occasionally, like Wayne Rooney (2009-2010) and Cristiano Ronaldo (2006-2007 & 2007-2008), a player wins all three after a brilliant season. Most of the time – there is no unanimous decision and nothing is really solved, leading to many a syrup-barn argument.This year is a mix of both as Suarez, Bale and RVP have had standout seasons. One of them could sweep the pool and could say they’d deserve it. A case for each, if you will.
ROBIN VAN PERSIE
The reigning PFA and FWA Player of the Year started the season in similar form, putting Manchester United in prime position to regain the title with his unplayable performances and countless late winners. At the turn of the year, it was almost a case of give him the trophies, with not just his 19 goals by New Years Day, but by making everyone else around him better. The situation has changed. He’s still vital, however when United needed something special in the two legs against Real Madrid... close, but no cigar.
Falling into a camera hole on the pitch at Loftus Rd didn’t help. (How dumb is that by the way, a three-foot hole, just beyond the byline) He’s scored one goal since the end of January and when does voting open on the PFA Award? The start of February. A big chance to win My Kitchen Rules, too, but no longer the favourite for any of these awards which is a little mystifying as its Player of the Season, not player for the period after Santa.
LUIS SUAREZ
Mr Contention himself. Always in contention to do something incredible; always a contentious figure in the eyes of the opposition. The current idol of Anfield, Steven Gerrard says of his heir apparent – "if he doesn’t win an award this year, he’ll be the best player ever not to win an award" So the PR campaign is in full swing, but they have little say in the vote. Facts back up the sentiment from loved ones. 29 goals in 39 games in all comps, the longest he’s gone without a goal this season is 6 games but even when not scoring, he’s a major contributor, with his devastating movement creating space for others to score in. Central when Liverpool are good, capable of dragging them out of the mud when they aren’t. Problem for Suarez is his ability to polarise.
GARETH BALE
RVP might have gone off when his players got the ballot sheets for the PFA Award, but this man has gone right off in the other direction.Thanks to 10 goals in nine games since the end of January, every single superlative in February went on the ‘endangered of becoming a cliché’ list. Spurs fans and coaches might not like to admit, but without Bale there is more chance of the new Pope renewing Elton John’s wedding vows than Spurs making the Champions League. Currently in better form than RVP, and this shouldn’t come into it, but it will - more of a fan and media favourite than Suarez. Will be fascinating to see where the players rank them.
There is a strong case for all. The only true measurement might be the amount of interrupted sleep for opposing centrebacks the night before they play each of them.
If I had to go for one – and this is hard given the theatrics that go with this guy are hard to take – it’d be Suarez.
It is award for best footballer, not to find a model citizen for your sister. How Suarez influences games - for mine - has been more consistently brilliant over the journey of the season so far. Just.
Which EPL star has shone the brightest this season? Watch them in full flight in the videos above and vote in our poll at the top of this page.
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