Who is the Young POTY?

Article by e-Football Correspondent Lee Beevor

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Having written a piece on the PFA’s premier award, I felt compelled to give the youngsters the same treatment. Not that the nominees are exactly young in several cases, leading me to reflect that a renaming to “Breakthrough Player of the Year” may be more fitting. After all, currently any player aged 23 or under at the start of the season is eligible. Thus, it is possible to win it several years in succession. Ryan Giggs, Robbie Fowler and Wayne Rooney have all “retained” the award, when surely they should be barred from so doing, with their sights elevated to the senior equivalent. The 2013 winner Gareth Bale was hardly making his first steps in the league, but he was nevertheless young enough to qualify. His countless brilliant displays and match-winning contributions for Spurs resulted in a somewhat farcical sweep of both PFA gongs.

Aside from the folly of the criteria applied is the ridiculously early vote gathering. I doubt very much there is a footballer in England who does not own a smartphone, gold plated or otherwise, enabling them to send their selection instantly. In this way, the whole procedure could surely be completed in any designated week, with the clubs tasked with ensuring their squad duly submit their choices. This would remove ludicrous nominations, such as that of Aaron Ramsey, who has been injured for months and should not even be in consideration.

Aside from Ramsey, the shortlist consists of Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge, Luke Shaw, Ross Barkley and Eden Hazard. Like the unfortunate Welshman, I feel two can be rejected almost instantly. Both of the players concerned have started around half their respective team’s fixtures, with their managers electing not to select them for whatever reason. As such, Barkley and Sterling can be discounted, despite the recent scintillating displays of the latter in Liverpool’s race to the title. This leaves us with a top three, all of whom have been automatic selections for their clubs all season:

Luke Shaw The Southampton left back has been consistent and excellent, attracting suitors of the calibre of Real Madrid, Manchester United and Chelsea. That three European giants are interested in paying £20 million for an 18 year old, is testament to his quality. His swashbuckling runs to create overlaps and make crosses are as likely to occur in the ninetieth minute as the first. This boundless energy is akin to Ashley Cole in his prime. Indeed, it is Cole who could pay the ultimate price for Shaw’s emergence, with his World Cup place in serious jeopardy. If he tops the PFA list, Shaw would be a worthy recipient, consistent with the true spirit of the accolade.

Daniel Sturridge Finishing marginally ahead of Shaw is a man who has seized his final opportunity to shine at the highest level. Sturridge has always maintained he was good enough to be draw comparison with the world’s deadliest strikers. Suddenly, with Suarez suspended for the opening five matches of the campaign, the stage was set for him and Sturridge did not disappoint. When Suarez returned, the duo forged a fine partnership, albeit with the Uruguayan very much the main man. As time has progressed, Sturridge has dipped a little, although 20 goals is a fine return for his first full season as a Premier League centre forward.

Eden Hazard In his first season in England, Hazard showed flashes of genius, immense skill and pace. Under Jose Mourinho, he has elevated his level, channelling raw talent to produce an end product. In the same way that Ronaldo prospered under Mourinho at Madrid, so has Hazard at Chelsea. Furthermore, his stated ambition is to compete with CR9, Messi et al for the Ballon D’or. This lofty claim is supported by 14 league goals and 7 assists from a position wide on the left and frequently double marked. If he can show this form with Belgium in Brazil and again in a Chelsea team sure to strengthen this summer, he may be among the elite group unveiled in 2015. In the meantime, under the daft system employed by the PFA, Hazard is by far the best of the under-24’s and to me at least, stands above the other nominees.

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