Professional players association just issued their last six nominated players of the year which includes Manchester United’s Michael Carrick. This player of the year award has ever been one of the most prestigious awards in soccer fraternity even since it started forty years ago. The highlight of this honor is its independent selection process where professional players vote for their favorite players and no player can cast for his own club’s player. This year, Manchester United Michael Carrick is the probable name to win the title. The midfielder has played more than 350 EPL matches along with more than 50 UEFA matches and this is probably the first time he has been nominated for this award. Other players included in the list are Tottenham’s Gareth Bale, United’s Robin van Persie, Liverpool’s Luis Suarez, Chelsea’s Eden Hazard and Juan Mata. Out of the probable, Gareth Bale and Robin van Persie have already won this title back in 2010-11 and 2011-12 respectively. Notably, Bale and Hazard are also nominated in young player of the year along with Christian Benteke, Romelu Lukaku, Danny Welbeck, and Jack Wilshere.
Despite missing the headlines most of the time, Carrick has ever been an important part of United squad; hence he is most likely to be the winner of this honor this year coz of his consistence performance throughout his career. Taking about him, PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor said, “He is a players’ player. He doesn’t make big headlines but he is highly regarded by his fellow professionals.” Other strong contenders of the list are Bale, who has scored 22 goals in his 38 match appearances this season; in fact it was him, who enabled Tottenham reach into the Europa League quarter-final. Likewise, Van Persie, who moved to United from Arsenal in August, has scored 25 goals in 43 matches for his new club.
PFA chief executive also talked about Suarez, who has scored 29 goals this season out of his 46 match appearances, he said, “It would be naive to think controversy won’t continue to travel with him, but this is a footballing award. Sometimes the intensity that causes a problem also makes sure they win. His football ability shines through.”
If things work in favor of Bale or Hazard, anyone of them can win both the awards they are nominated for. Last time anyone won both the titles in the same year was United’s Cristiano Ronaldo who took both the titles back home in 2006-7 season.