1. DAVD DE GEA
DANNY ROSE HÉCTOR BELLERÍN
WES MORGAN TOBY ALDERWEIRELD
JAMIE VARDY HARRY KANE
DIMITRI PAYET
DELE ALLI N’GOLO KANTÉ
RIYAD MAHREZ
HÉCTOR BELLERÍN (ARSENAL)
In another season of frustration forArsenal fans, the emergence of the
Spanish right-back has been a source of some comfort. His stand-out
attribute is his pace, which once saw him beat Theo Walcott by 1/100th
of a
second in an unofficial 40-metre sprint contest. The 21-year-old grew up in
Barcelona’s youth system and the buzz about his performances has sparked
rumours that the Catalans may want him back.
TOBY ALDERWEIRELD (TOTTENHAM)
Tottenham’s capture of the former La Liga winner and Champions League
finalist from under the noses of Southampton – where he was on loan last
season – was a highly shrewd move. He is quite simply a class act, hardly
ever erring in his tackling or passing and popping up at the other end with
goals too. His partnership with fellow Belgian Jan Vertonghen is the major
factor in Spurs’outstanding defensive record this term.
WES MORGAN (LEICESTER)
The ruthlessness of Jamie Vardy and guile of Riyad Mahrez may have shot
Leicester to the top of the table, but it is the immoveable Morgan who has
kept them there. Since Christmas he has been the mainstay of a defence who
have kept a staggering 11 clean sheets in 16 League games. The Jamaican
international is one of just seven outfield players to have played every
minute of the Premier League season so far. He seems certain to end it with
a medal around his neck.
DANNY ROSE (TOTTENHAM)
It is now six years since Rose scored that goal on his Premier League debut
in the North London derby and his progress since then has not always
been smooth. This season, however, the marauding left-back has put the
loan moves, injuries and fans’criticism behind him.At the time of writing
Spurs have lost just one League game in 2015/16 when he has played – a
testament to his importance in their wonderful season.
DIMITRI PAYET (WEST HAM)
Although West Ham fans’claims that he is “better than Zidane” might be
pushing it a bit, Payet is certainly the Hammers’most exciting player since
Paolo Di Canio. His debut Premier League season has been packed with
impudent flicks, dazzling tricks and cracking free kicks. The 29-year-old
had spent the previous decade in France and was little-known to audiences
this side of the Channel before he arrived. We certainly know who he is
now.
DELE ALLI (TOTTENHAM)
This time last yearAlli was helping MK Dons win promotion from League
One. The ensuing 12 months have seen him score what will surely be voted
goal of the season, orchestrate Tottenham’s title challenge and nail down a
place in England’s EURO 2016 squad. Mauricio Pochettino’s willingness
to place faith in young players has given him a platform to show his skill,
vision, versatility and fierce work rate.
N’GOLO KANTÉ (LEICESTER)
In contrast to his midfield companion, Riyad Mahrez, Kanté has stood
out not for his trickery, but for doing the simple things well. His relentless
harassing of opponents, tackling, energetic runs and accurate distribution
of the ball have energised Leicester’s stunning title charge. His £5.6million
move from Caen to the East Midlands last summer made few headlines, but
the 25-year-old’s profile will be considerably higher from here onwards.
RIYAD MAHREZ (LEICESTER)
When signed by then-Championship side Leicester in January 2014 for half
a million pounds from a club in the bottom half of France’s Ligue 2, no-one
could have foreseen Mahrez’s breathtaking impact just two years later. In
a season where unexpected names have seized centre stage, theAlgerian
has arguably been the star turn. Whereas many twinkle-toed playmakers
perform in fits and starts, Mahrez has been consistently brilliant and his stats
(in goals and assists) are remarkable.
JAMIE VARDY (LEICESTER)
Leicester have made believers of us all and Vardy has become every fan’s
blue-collar hero. Modern Premier League title-winning campaigns don’t
tend to centre around £1million signings from Fleetwood Town, but Vardy
has torn up the rulebook. His wonder goal against Liverpool epitomised
Leicester’s ‘have a go’spirit and two brilliant goals for England capped his
fairytale season. The 29-year-old’s record-breaking streak of goals in 11
consecutive Premier League games is likely to endure for many years.
HARRY KANE (TOTTENHAM)
He may have started the season slowly with just one goal in his first 12
games, but Kane has since rediscovered his sang froid in the penalty area,
resolutely backing up his astounding breakthrough season in 2014/15. If
Spurs are to lose out on the title, one feels their fans will not have much
longer to wait for silverware with this gem in their ranks. The fact he is one
of their own makes him all the more precious.
DAVID DE GEA (MANCHESTER UNITED)
Much attention has been lavished on Jack Butland, Kasper Schmeichel,
Fraser Forster and Hugo Lloris this season, but with United being so
underwhelming, De Gea’s consistently high-class performances have
rather slipped under the radar. Startlingly agile wonder saves have
become almost expected of him these days. The Red Devils clearly have
deficiencies, but the Spaniard is one member of Louis van Gaal’s squad he
has never had to fret over.
BARCLAYS PREMIER
LEAGUE TEAM OF THE YEAR
PFAAWARDS 2016 | 7574 | PFAAWARDS 2016