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The nominees for the Premier League Player of the Year award have been named, with a notable absence amongst the six candidates. All the discussion about the accolade have rightly focussed on Tottenham’s Gareth Bale, Liverpool’s Luis Suarez and Manchester United’s Robin van Persie. However, the addition of Juan Mata, Michael Carrick and Eden Hazard leaves me scratching my head about a certain Spaniard missed out.
I am not saying that Michu of Swansea City should be awarded the Premier League Player of the Year award. However, the versatile attacker has had a fantastic debut season in England, and was certainly great value for a nomination. It will boil down to Bale, Suarez or Van Persie, but Michu’s excellent season should have been acknowledged with a nomination.
Carrick has long been the unsung worker in the United midfield, and is only now being recognised for the tireless work he puts in and the range of passing he brings to the soon-to-be champions. Juan Mata has grown in stature this season and deserves his place in the six. The ex-Valencia playmaker has been superb throughout the season and will play a key role in Chelsea’s attempts to forge a Premier League title challenge next season. Hazard at times has shown brilliance, especially towards the start of the season. However, I feel he has not done enough to warrant a place on the shortlist.
It is unfortunate that bargain £2 million buy Michu is not included. He has netted 21 times in all competitions for Michael Laudrup’s men, 17 in the league, and been a figurehead in the Liberty Stadium side overcoming the often tricky second season to become a well-established Premier League side. He also played his part in the club winning the Capital One Cup, the first major trophy in the Welsh club’s history.
Michu was never going to be the Player of the Year, but a nomination would have been just reward for a cracking debut campaign. The fact that he plays for one of the less glamorous sides in the division has clearly worked against him, the powers that be should have widened their net to include the likes of the Spaniard in their shortlist.
Premier League Player of the Year nominees: Luis Suarez, Robin van Persie, Gareth Bale, Michael Carrick, Juan Mata, Eden Hazard
