The recent PFA Player and Young Player of the Year shortlist were announced. There are not too many arguments with the list for both. They might not have stood out enough to be nominated, or not have played enough games but they have played valuable roles for their teams and have stood out when needed.
Young Players:
Andy Carroll – The British record signing scored his 1st goals for his new club, Liverpool, against Man City. I honestly believe that should he not have gotten injured, he would be on the list for player and young player of the season. He has already got his 1st international cap and goal. He is a player with immense talent. He is powerful, hungry and aggressive. Considering he is only 22, I would say he looks like a player that has a lot of goals in him, and had he not been injured, I think he would be the league’s top goal scorer (currently has 13 goals & 6 assists). I feel he is unlucky to have been injured because he would have gotten my vote as young player of the year.
Adam Johnson – A player that I really like. He came up from the championship last season and took to the pace of the premiership with ease. He started this season the way he left off last season. He is a direct running winger with creative flair and pace to burn. I feel for him because he was injured for a couple months, and it halted his fine form. He was looking like one of the top wingers in the country again. He has a goal in him and his early season form suggested that he might be the X factor or shining light for City, but instead they have asked Balotelli to do that job…Fail.
Martin Kelly – In a season where there have been few positives for Liverpool, Martin Kelly should be considered their most exciting find. I personally feel he has been one of their best players. Kenny has showed his faith in Youth, and Martin is the one player who has not let him down. He has not looked out of place at all in the Premier League and has a bright future ahead of him. His injury has caused him to miss a large part of the 2 half of the season. It’s a pity because I have a feeling he would of found a place in Kenny’s permanent run on team for next season.
Danny Welbeck – Another product of the Man United’s Youth Academy .Welbeck has been a wonderful loan signing by Steve Bruce at Sunderland. He has not been prolific in front of goal, but he has been a very important player to Sunderland this season. His early season form helped inspire Sunderland to as high as 6th on the table. His build up play, pace and movement has been the reason why Steve Bruce has already stated that he wants Danny to sign permanently. His 3 month knee injury lay off has affected his form after coming back but I am sure he will be I bright talent to watch provided he gets game time. The progress he has shown with game time in the premier league is encouraging from a Man United perspective, he has already got his 1st England Cap and he is going back to Old Trafford at the end of the season. Had he not been injured, I am sure he might have been on the list for young player of the year.
Chris Smalling – As a Man United fan, I am delighted with the signing of Chris Smalling. He has really been a surprise this year, and offered relief to Man United fans. His form has been great when called upon. He has an unusual calmness about him at 21, and his reading of the play reminds me of a younger Rio Ferdinand. His calmness, dedication and bravery stands out. Smalling has been called into battle in the 2nd half of the season to play the likes of Man City, Liverpool, Marseille (champions league last 16) and Chelsea (physical and powerful) and has not looked out of place at all. Considering that he has only been a professional footballer for just over 2 years, He will be a star defender of the future. I salute Sir Fergi for having faith in the boy who had only played a couple times for Fulham. Although he was signed as “one for the future”, has proved that he can be one for right now too. Had he played more league games at the beginning of the season, I would have to say that he would have been a certainty for the Young Players Short list.
Important Players:
Matthew Etherington – Stoke have become an established top flight team. They are an incredibly difficult team to play against because they are so powerful and physical. Their set pieces are a nightmare to defend against but Matthew Etherington has offered Stoke a little width, and flare to go with their route one game. He has become a good player under Tony Pulis and proved this with his great goal over the weekend against Spurs. He has been a dependable player for stoke and has put in great performances this year. I would not put him on the list, but his 5 goals and 8 assists his season must not go unmentioned. That is more “points” than Samir Nasri with 9 goals and 1 assist.Just saying.
David Silva – The Spanish world Cup winner has really fitted into the Premier League. He has been, along with Carlos Tevez, as City’s best players. He was sorely missed against Liverpool in City’s last game. His movement, creativity and unpredictability have made his a great player to watch. This player deserves more than to be stuck with the group of players that are not United in their cause. I really like him, and think that had he played more and Roberto Mancini actually tried to win games, I am sure that he might have been given a place on the short list. He has scored 4 goals this year and made 6 assists.
Dirk Kuyt – Even though he looks like he walked out of Mordor, there is not too much to be said about the man that has not already been said. His work rate and intelligent movement on the pitch has him scoring a goal almost every 3 games for Liverpool this season. That is not bad going considering he plays on the wing for most of the season. He is the unsung hero at Anfield, and is without a doubt the 1st player on Kenny’s team sheet. Maybe Arsenal and Chelsea should look at players that show heart, desire and actually want to fight for their team – they are the backbone of any successful team. Had Liverpool had more successful season, he would have been difficult to overlook for the shortlist. He is definately a player Kenny will be re structuring Liverpool around. He has scored 9 goals and made 6 assists. 
Laighton Baines – The Everton and England left back has been fantastic for Everton this season. Even when Everton struggled at the beginning of the season, he has stood out. He is tied second on the assists list with Arshavin, Brunt and Wayne Rooney on 11. His fantastic free kick in the FA cup in the dying minutes of extra time against Chelsea sticks in my memory. He is a very good player and I would imagine David Moyes will struggle to keep him in the summer. I hope not though because he suites Everton and the aspirations that David Moyes has for the club. He might have made the list if Everton did not have the stuttering start they had (in the relegation zone and bottom half of the table). He is exciting to watch because his crosses, free kicks and forward runs are up there with the best.
Peter Odemwingie – He might come as a surprise to most, but the player has been excellent for West Brom this year, and Roy Hodgsen has gotten the best out of the player. He has 11 goals, and 8 assists. That is fantastic going considering the free fall West Brom took near the end of Roberto Dimatteo’s era. The Nigerian has become a danger man and a player to watch. If West Brom is going to continue to climb the table, he will be one of their key players near the end of the season. I don’t think he should of made the list, but I wanted to highlight how well he has done at a struggling team.
There are of course others like Ashley Young and Downing for Aston Villa, Kevin Nolan for Newcastle and Jean de Jong for City that have been very influential in their teams and the their team's aspirations. Do you agree? Have i left out any?
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