It has been grandiloquent season of football in the English Premier League as talented athletes from the best teams in England provided first class entertainment to millions of global fans worldwide. Teams like Blackpool and Bolton have impressed people from all walks of life while traditional forces which include Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea provided their fair share of entertainment and shocks as well.
What are the barriers to success in the Premier League? Is it holding onto a lead or is it playing at a high tempo? We all talk about hunger and desire but are there barriers in the lower ranked clubs that act against the real quest for success in top half of the Premier League? It's pretty simple in fact. Everybody knows how big-name players are needed to add that little bit of magic into a particular team.
This is perhaps the fundamental reason that separates the best clubs in England and the minor clubs. That little bit of 'class' that stands out among certain players have helped their respective clubs shine when it all mattered in the so called 'best' league in the world. Nonetheless, PFA have shortlisted seven individuals who have impressed throughout the course of this season and Live Soccer TV provides a closer look at those selected ones.
Scott Parker: The Driving Force Behind West Ham United's Resilience.
From almost being doomed into relegation last season, West Ham fans were expecting a mid-table finish for this season, especially when Avram Grant- widely recognized as an inspiring manager after a battling stint with Portsmouth last season, took charge of the Hammers. However, things were far more delicate than expected with another drop-zone battle making a statement on West Ham's fortune cards.
But, there is a belief at Upton Park that the 'Irons' will not be relegated when there is a particular individual at the club that goes by the name of Scott Parker. 14 years after kick-starting his career with Charlton Athletic, Parker finally made into the England set-up this season despite playing for a team that has been fighting for its life in the lower zones of the Premier League standings.
Such has been the level of consistency in his performances that even Fabio Capello agrees that Parker is the right man for the Three Lions. One aspect that stands out from the tireless midfielder is his never-say-die attitude.
Every single fan cloaked in claret at Upton Park will never deny the indispensable status Parker has gained over there. Sky Sports pundit Chris Kamara once said: “Scott Parker seems to be carrying West Ham on his shoulders with the performances he brings to that team every week. I'll pick him out because he seems to be the catalyst for that football club and I don't think any other player influences a team as much as he does.”
Already 30 this season, enthusiasm is something that will never be lacking from his game and for that quality itself, Scott Parker deserves a salute from every fan of the universal game.
Samir Nasri: An Example of Proven Talent and Potential
While familiar problems have once again tarnished Arsene Wenger's men this season, Samir Nasri ensured that every Gunner had something to cheer for at the end of the season. After Fabregas spent last summer's break, trying to flirt with some team called Barcelona, nobody were expecting anything from a rather vulnerable team under the disposal of Wenger.
However, Nasri turned out to be a revelation as he proved to their critics out there that Fabregas is neither the only lock nor the only key in Arsenal's hypothesis. While a fit Fabregas was on the team, the Frenchman shone his skills on the flanks and whenever the Spaniard was out injured, Nasri elegantly took over the playmaker role- which he executed to perfection in most of the games.
While his sublime style of play has captured the hearts of Arsenal fanatics, his goals have only increased and enhanced his reputation as one of Europe's most dangerous players. After arriving from Marseille with the 'talented' tag on his head, Nasri has finally fulfilled his illustrious and industrious 'rare' potential.
Rafael Van Der Vaart: Mourinho's Loss Is Redknapp's Gain
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After making his name with Ajax Amsterdam and Hamburg, Van Der Vaart never really showed any sort of promises while plying his trade at the Bernebeu. The highly dynamic Dutchman was a shadow of himself at Madrid and when Mourinho arrived at the club, there were signs of some promises for him.
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur were on the look for a big name signing that could spur them on as they were in pursuit if making some recognizable impact in their debut season of the Champions League. When all hopes were rather gone, Real Madrid and Rafael Van Der Vaart popped out of no where’s land and in a split second, Spurs got their man.
Immediate impacts were definitely part of Van der Vaart's early season run-in with the Lilywhites as he quickly became an inspiring figure both on and off the pitch. Forming a formidable partnership with Peter Crouch up front, his exemplary touch, vision and composure on the ball has became a revelation for Harry Redknapp's men over the season. Nevertheless, Van der Vaart has suffered from injuries and some substitution controversies with Spurs in the second half of the season so far but 12 goals in his first season of English Football hardly justifies any negativity in it.
Nemanja Vidic: The Serbian Rock That Made a Difference
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If Paolo Maldini was the icon of Milan's defence, Nemanja Vidic is probably the soul of Manchester United's backline. On his bad days, Vidic can showcase severe acts of desperation by pulling and shrugging on defenders. However on his day, the Serbian can send chills down any forward's spine in World Football.
Strong in the air and agile on his feet, Nemanja Vidic's importance to Sir Alex Ferguson's plans are virtually unimaginable. To further clarify this statement, the Spurs-United clash can be used as a major reference. During the first half of this season, Nemanja Vidic's inspirational performances were the obvious difference between victories and defeats for United.
As far as he was concerned, there is no beating around the bush for opposition attacks when they visit Captain Vida and co. His defensive master class typically outshined the lack of creativity in a very straight forward squad of players. If there is one player that deserves any sort of credit for their leadership contributions, it definitely has to be Nemanja Vidic.
Gareth Bale: If Ever There Was A Man To Rock The San Siro
From a relatively unknown talented youngster with Southampton, nobody in their wildest dreams would have imagined Gareth Bale announcing his arrival in the European football scene with a hat-rick at the San Siro. To be frank, Bale is the perfect definition for the word 'Breathtaking'.
11 goals in 35 matches have put him on top of Spurs' goal scoring rankings. While many would remember the vivid images from the San Siro, his wonder goal against Stoke City and equally mind-blowing performances in other matches have been as prominent as ever in a sparkling season for the Welshman.
In reality, no other player has been as captivating as Bale in the Premier League this season with unexpected moments from unexpected scenarios fulfilling his extravagant journey so far. One thing for sure, if ever there was a man to rock the San Siro, it has to be Gareth Bale.
Charlie Adam: Ian Holloway's Diamond Boy
Charlie Adam's name might sound rather inferior compared to the other players in the list but his monumental abilities have attributed to Blackpool's rise in the Premier League so far. As Ian Holloway has always insisted, take Adam away and Blackpool would just be a bunch of jokers in the top tier league of English Football.
Brought in from Rangers in 2009, Adam has evoked a miraculous turn of fortunes for Blackpool as they turned from Championship strugglers into Premier League new boys in the space of a season. Considering that nobody really knew anything about the phenomenal Scottish playmaker last season, it is rather amusing when we consider that there were even reported bids from Liverpool and Tottenham in last January's transfer window. A remarkable turn of fortunes for a player deemed to be 'not good enough' for Rangers.
There are already rumors being spitted around regarding Adam's imminent departure at the end of the season and if there should be any remorse for a side that has been a breath of fresh air in the Premier League this season, Charlie Adam must be awarded with the PFA Player of The Year award for his Herculean effort with The Seasiders.
Carlos Tevez: A Portrait Of Determination And Hunger
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Tevez could have missed out on this shortlist considering how much his form has suffered over the last few months. Anyhow, his inclusion could easily be justified with the staggering impact he has had with Manchester City this season. While the Argentinean is not a typical centre-forward that plucks in goals all the time, Tevez has set new standards at Eastlands this season, putting the likes of Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko to shame.
Carlitos has made and scored more goals than any other players in the Premier League this season- with six assists and 19 goals. Is that why he is so important to City? Not really though.
His final season at Old Trafford was often accustomed with goals as Sir Alex Ferguson described his five goals offering as not being on similar standards with the £25 Million price tag placed on him. But to be fair, Ferguson's statement was virtually unjust for a player that often played in a playmaker's role.
Nonetheless, his talents and abilities have been maximized to perfection under Roberto Mancini's guidance and if Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are the talisman of their respective clubs, Carlos Tevez is definitely the heart beat of Manchester City.
