Before criticising the selection of the players deemed to be the greatest in the Premier League, let me first congratulate the PFA for correctly selecting Gareth Bale as the most deserving candidate, as I predicted at the start of March.
This year, most of the players included in the team of the season practically pick themselves, with players such as Robin van Persie and Juan Mata consistently operating at the top of their game. However, the choice of David de Gea as the goalkeeper is questionable. While he has undoubtedly progressed during his second season at Old Trafford, it begs the question whether the players voting for him thought the award was for the most improved player and that his selection was in part an acknowledgement of his initial difficulties in the Premier League. Petr Cech warrants the Spaniard’s place in the team having frequently saved Chelsea’s blushes over the course of the season. His continued excellence creates a dilemma for the Blues though, as they prepare to welcome Thibaut Courtois back from his two-year loan spell at Atletico Madrid.
Unsurprisingly, the players in the team of the year all come exclusively from sides currently in the top six of the Premier League. Several players could have bucked this trend, but particular sympathies should be extended to Aston Villa’s duo of Christian Benteke and Brad Guzan and to Swansea City striker Michu.
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