PFA Player Of The Year: Who Really Should Have Been Nominated?

The PFA Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year nominations were released today, sparking fanatical debate amongst the masses. 

Every Spring, a member of the PFA votes for two players they believe have performed admirably that season and in April, a shortlist of nominees is published. Members primarily consist of ex-footballers; so you think they'd have a clue.

Unfortunately, the nominations released in April 2013 have proven that they don't. 



PFA Player of the Year nominations
Gareth Bale
 
League Appearances: 28
Goals: 17
Assists: 3

The Welsh wizard has shone this season. The winner of the 2010-2011 award has thrived in his new central position, adding a deadly free-kick, goals and even more pace to his game. The Spurs star is this years favourite, and rightly so.

Michael Carrick
 
League Appearances: 33
Goals: 1
Assists: 4

The centre-midfielder has been everpresent for United this season and has developed massively as a player. Whether he's been taking lessons from Paul Scholes or has just found the confidence to exhibit his creativity, it's definitely worked for the (nearly) new Premier League Champions. 

However, many will argue that his foe from across the city should be on the list. Yaya Toure has scored six times as many and provided the same amount of assists in five less games for Manchester City this season and will wonder why he has not been considered.

Eden Hazard
 
League Appearances: 31
Goals: 9
Assists: 9

The Belgian ace has definitely been an exciting addition to the Premier League this season. At the beginning of the campaign, he tormented defences with his skill and pace, but since then, it's all dried up for the £32m man. 

He was anonymous in Chelsea's FA Cup semi-final loss to Manchester City and seems to have been sussed out already. Michu will be tearing his hair out.

Juan Mata
 
League Appearances: 30
Goals: 10
Assists: 14

The Spaniard has earned his place on this list this year with an array of stunning performances. Consistently the key man for Chelsea and instrumental in their Europa League, FA Cup and league campaigns; Mata will expect to feature in Spain's world cup squad alongside David Silva, Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez next year.

Robin Van Persie
 
League Appearances: 34
Goals: 24
Assists: 8

The Dutchman has been the major difference between the two Manchester clubs this season and has proven to be an inspired purchase by Alex Ferguson. The winner of last years award may not be the favourite as his goals have abandoned him recently, nevertheless, the striker has done tremendously to maintain the form he hit last season.  

His three goals against Aston Villa, including an outrageous volley that will surely land goal of the season, ultimately won the title for the Reds on Monday evening. He'll be lapping up the applause from his old teammates when they give him his guard of honour this weekend.

Luis Suarez
 
League Appearances: 33
Goals: 23
Assists: 5

The PFA have defended their decision to include the Uruguayan bad boy in the aftermath of their nominee release, claiming the decision was made based on footballing reasons. But why? Why should they have to defend their decision when Luis Suarez has quite obviously been the stand out performer of the whole season? The vote should be made on footballing reasons and who has been the best player and whether people like it or not, Suarez has been the best this season. 

Despite this, his most recent controversy will almost surely deny him the award. His vicious bite on Branislav Ivanovic is fitting of no respectful player in the world and will hopefully earn him a lengthy ban. Full of talent, but no brains.

Other Candidates
 Asmir Begovic

 Leighton Baines

 Marouane Fellaini

 Santi Cazorla

 Michu

 Pablo Zabaleta

 Yaya Toure

 Robert Snodgrass

 Ricky Lambert

 Dimitar Berbatov

PFA Young Player of the Year nominations
Gareth Bale
 

League Appearances: 29
Goals: 18
Assists: 4

He'll be hoping to bring the award to Tottenham Hotspur for the second season running after his teammate Kyle Walker bagged it last year. He's favourite for both and it looks like the Welshman will be picking up a double award at the end of the season.


Eden Hazard
 
League Appearances: 31
Goals: 9
Assists: 9

Other players deserve the award over him; players without the price tag, without the brilliant teammates surrounding them and players without the ego that Hazard has.

Christian Benteke
 


League Appearances: 31
Goals: 15
Assists: 4

What a stunning piece of business by Paul Lambert. Signed from Genk for a mere £7m in the summer, Christian Benteke has been vital in Villa's fight against relegation this season. Pace, power and a frightening aerial ability all make up the Belgian's game and the Villa faithful will be delighted that he has vowed to stay next year after being linked with the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City.

Romelu Lukaku
 
League Appearances: 30
Goals: 13
Assists: 3

Consistency is key and unfortunately for Lukaku, he's been unable to replicate the consistency of his Belgian teammate on the other side of Birmingham. With no goals since 9th March, Lukaku has struggled to maintain the fantastic form he hit early in the season. Although the start to his West Brom career may warrant a nomination, there are other candiates who haven't taken their foot off the pedal.

Danny Welbeck
 
League Appearances: 25
Goals: 1
Assists: 4

Possibly the strangest nomination of the lot. One only has to look at his goal record to know that the striker doesn't deserve his place on the list. The England forward made no real contribution towards United's title win as the Red's relied on the goals of Robin Van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez to secure their 20th Premier League trophy. Can't see him winning at all. 

Jack Wilshere
 
League Appearances: 21
Goals: 0
Assists: 3

Another questionable nomination. With a lack of appearances and without a single goal, Jack Wilshere will be surprised to see himself on the list. There's no doubting his ability, and when fit, Wilshere is definitely Arsenal's main man. However, his influence this season has been close to 'zilch' and he shouldn't really have the chance of winning Young Player of the Year.

Other Candidates
 David De Gea

 Rafael

 Matija Nastasic

 Andreas Weimann


Although the PFA have recognised the outstanding performances given by the likes of Gareth Bale, Robin Van Persie and Christian Benteke; they have ignored players such as Michu, Nastasic and Cazorla who have become instant hits in the league they have only just joined.

In place of them are British and high profile players who genuinely don't deserve their place. The likes of Welbeck and Wilshere haven't played enough to warrant nominations and are only on there to highlight what talents British national teams have at their disposal.

Unfortunately, the PFA will continue to overlook new, foreign talents in favour of underperforming British players in an attempt to flaunt what quality British football is producing.