Bale, Suarez lead Player of the Year nominations
Source: AFP |
April 20, 2013, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE controversial Luis Suarez and Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale lead the nominations for the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year award, which were unveiled yesterday.
Bale, 23, is the favorite to win the prize for the second time in three seasons but Suarez has enjoyed a fine campaign with Liverpool, scoring a total of 29 goals, while Robin van Persie will hope to win the award for a second straight year.
The Dutch striker has scored 25 goals since joining Manchester United from Arsenal last summer.
There is no representation from last year's champion Manchester City, with United's Michael Carrick and Chelsea duo Juan Mata and Eden Hazard completing the list.
Mata's fellow Spaniard Michu, of Swansea City, is not named despite proving a revelation since his move to the Liberty Stadium last year.
PFA Chief Executive Gordon Taylor has defended the presence of Suarez on the list, with the Uruguayan striker's reputation having been damaged by the eight-match ban he received for racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra last season.
But Taylor, whilst accepting Suarez will always be a controversial figure, feels his on-pitch performances for Liverpool this term, make him worthy of inclusion. "Sometimes controversy travels with players," said Taylor. "Sometimes it is in their very nature. Sometimes it is that very intensity that causes a problem also makes sure they win.
"Luis Suarez is helping to restore Liverpool. It is a credit to them that he seems comfortable there and no one could deny he is one of the finest players in the world."
Bale and Hazard have both also been nominated for the Young Player prize, a category in which they face competition from Aston Villa's Christian Benteke, West Bromwich Albion's Romelu Lukaku (on loan from Chelsea), Danny Welbeck of United and Jack Wilshere of Arsenal.
Winners of both awards will be announced on April 28.
Bale, 23, is the favorite to win the prize for the second time in three seasons but Suarez has enjoyed a fine campaign with Liverpool, scoring a total of 29 goals, while Robin van Persie will hope to win the award for a second straight year.
The Dutch striker has scored 25 goals since joining Manchester United from Arsenal last summer.
There is no representation from last year's champion Manchester City, with United's Michael Carrick and Chelsea duo Juan Mata and Eden Hazard completing the list.
Mata's fellow Spaniard Michu, of Swansea City, is not named despite proving a revelation since his move to the Liberty Stadium last year.
PFA Chief Executive Gordon Taylor has defended the presence of Suarez on the list, with the Uruguayan striker's reputation having been damaged by the eight-match ban he received for racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra last season.
But Taylor, whilst accepting Suarez will always be a controversial figure, feels his on-pitch performances for Liverpool this term, make him worthy of inclusion. "Sometimes controversy travels with players," said Taylor. "Sometimes it is in their very nature. Sometimes it is that very intensity that causes a problem also makes sure they win.
"Luis Suarez is helping to restore Liverpool. It is a credit to them that he seems comfortable there and no one could deny he is one of the finest players in the world."
Bale and Hazard have both also been nominated for the Young Player prize, a category in which they face competition from Aston Villa's Christian Benteke, West Bromwich Albion's Romelu Lukaku (on loan from Chelsea), Danny Welbeck of United and Jack Wilshere of Arsenal.
Winners of both awards will be announced on April 28.
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