It’s the festive season – a time where we honour those we hold dear through the giving of gifts and general merriment. It only makes sense that as a football fan I pay tribute to the players who have best caught my attention in the Premier League this season. Surely there can be no better gift? We’re not even halfway through the League’s fixture list yet and as such, it’s way too early to crown the player of the season, but that doesn’t mean we can’t consider the forerunners thus far. So who has caught your eye already this season?
My first candidate is Leighton Baines. Whilst Everton have suffered this season, Baines has impressed. There isn’t a better showcase for this lad’s ability than the 1-1 draw between Everton and Chelsea last weekend. He was instrumental in Everton’s comeback against the Premier League Champion’s and there were times where Chelsea just didn’t seem to be able to stop him. He already has 7 assists this season. Whilst Ashley Cole has played some part in Chelsea’s slump, Baines has continued to perform week in and week out.
Next up for consideration is a certain Dutch midfielder currently plying his trade for Spurs. Whilst Gareth Bale’s most heroic moments have generally come in the Champion’s League, it is Rafael that has set the Premier League alight for Tottenham this season. He began his career at White Hart Lane by scoring three goals in four games. He was named the Premier League’s Player of the Month for October. He adds a genuine bit of quality to the Spurs midfield.
The third candidate is Carlos Tevez. I confess that I recently wrote an article slating Tevez for his attitude and his disruptive nature. On the pitch however, Carlos has been City’s most important player. He has the most goals at the club, the highest number of shots on target and more man-of-the-match awards than anybody else. He is their talisman. His goal-scoring record speaks for itself.
But my personal player of the season thus far is another man whose goal-scoring record this season has his rivals looking on with envy. Arsenal’s Samir Nasri has been spectacular this season. His form has seen him score 8 goals in the Premier League in only 13 appearances. That statistic is all the more remarkable considering that Nasri is a winger, not a striker. Some of the goals have been real beauties too. None more so than the two goals he scored against Fulham last weekend. He has such poise and technique that defenders find it difficult to pluck the ball away from him. Coupled with his tenacity and determination, Nasri has been a real force this year0. Without a doubt, he is the player of the season, thus far.
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