I sometimes wonder who picks the best teams of the year in football. After FIFA's farcical inclusion of David Luiz (making the recent nutmegs by Luis Suarez all the more sweet) and Angel di Maria (remember him?) in its Team of the Year in December, the PFA have shown they are not to be outdone, with some rather odd decisions for its Team of the Year just last week.
However, before we get onto that, I'll cover the bases on the PFA Player and Young Player of the Year. Despite my protests regarding the team (and there are a few), I actually agree with both the decisions. Eden Hazard has had an exceptional year, scoring 18 goals in all competitions this season, and laying on an additional 10. More than that, he has been consistent ever since arrived in England. Last season, he scored 16 and assisted seven, while scoring 10 and assisting 14 in his first season in the Premier League. In fact, the largest surprise for me is that this is the Belgian's first individual award, but in those two years he came up against individuals having the seasons of their lives in Bale and Suarez. Nevertheless, it is a deserved success for the Chelsea man, and it's unlikely that this will be the last.
Similarly, Harry Kane is certainly one to watch out for, and his Young Player of the Year award is richly merited. I would note that we should avoid doing what we do so often with young players after an impressive first season (especially those of English descent) and not over-hype. Whilst he has the element of surprise against defenders uncertain of how to deal with him, he will naturally get more chances and goals. However, it will be how he reacts to a goal drought, which every striker inevitably goes through. The best come out stronger, and it will be interesting to see how Kane performs next season. However, it has certainly been a dream season for the Spurs man, being the first Tottenham player to score 30 goals in a season since Gary Lineker (and he went on to be ok!).
Now for the more contentious point: the PFA Team of the Year. I'll start by saying that I agree with the majority - David de Gea has been the league's best goalkeeper, Ryan Bertrand at left back, John Terry as one of the centre backs, a four in midfield of Hazard, Coutinho, Matic and Sanchez, with Kane up front. However, I have a couple of serious issues. Firstly, it's all well and good to favour the champions, but until recently, I don't remember anyone discussing Chelsea's defensive ability. At the start of the season, it was entirely about the performance of Southampton's back four, meaning that the South Coast club are neck and neck with the league leaders when it comes to defensive record. To only have one player in the team is therefore extremely harsh. In my opinion, I would have at least a two-two split, and perhaps even a three-one in favour of the Saints. Nathaniel Clyne and Jose Fonte would both be deserving of inclusion, giving the back four a slightly more red and white look.
Finally, I'm astounded that a side does not include the two joint top scorers in the Premier League. Regardless of whether this is Diego Costa's first season in English football, he hasn't scored as many as Sergio Aguero - that alone should be enough to get the Argentine a place. Also, I'm sure that was a stamping incident earlier in the season that should count against him?
So this is how my team would look:
David de Gea (Manchester United), Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), John Terry (Chelsea), Jose Fonte (Southampton), Nathaniel Clyne (Southampton), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Phillippe Coutinho (Liverpool), Nemanja Matic (Chelsea), Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
There are just a couple of smaller issues to tie off following the end of my (remarkably short) rant regarding the team. Firstly, the Manager of the Year. I'm very much of the opinion that, short of some extraordinary circumstances, the Manager of the Year should normally be the manager of the champions. So it should come as little surprise that my manager of the year is Jose Mourinho. The master tactician has once again proven his ability to win pretty or ugly, and has deservedly led his side to an inevitable title win.
However, I will give a top three, taking into account the successes of managers lower down the table. In second place would be Alan Pardew, after proving himself both at Newcastle and Crystal Palace. Despite hostility from the Geordie fans, Pardew dragged the Magpies into the top 10 of the Premier League, before leaving to take Crystal Palace away from a relegation battle. In fact, such has been the failure of Newcastle since, that Crystal Palace have overtaken the Geordies, and are now almost mathematically guaranteed to finish above them. In third, Ronald Koeman. Few were expecting Southampton, given the astronomical changes made to the club in the summer, to finish in the top half, never mind challenge for Europe. However, the Saints briefly flirted with the idea of Champions League football, before a late lack of form has seemingly denied them. Nevertheless, it's a magnificent achievement for the Dutchman, and a great base to build on next year.
Finally, time for my Goal of the Season. Assuming Eden Hazard doesn't score a 45 yard overhead kick between now and the end of May, I think this is likely to be my top three:
1. Charlie Adam - Chelsea vs Stoke City
There aren't many footballers who would even think about scoring from 60 yards, and even fewer that would have the capabilities to pull it off. Adam does, and he proved it live on TV at Stamford Bridge, lobbing one of the most impressive and talented goalkeepers in the world in the meantime.
2. Phil Jagielka - Everton vs Liverpool
The context of the goal must also be taken into account. In the 91st minute of the season's first Merseyside derby is probably about the best time of all to come up with a wonder goal. I can honestly say I have never seen a better strike of a football from a defender, thumping a half volley into the roof of the net from fully 35 yards.
3. Harry Kane - Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal
Like Jagielka's goal, this was also critically important. However, Harry Kane's winning goal in the North London derby was picked for its impressive technique more than its context. As most strikers will tell you, accurately angling a header back where it comes from is incredibly difficult, but Kane made it seem easy, looping his effort well away from the reach of David Ospina. Probably his favourite effort of the season too!
Analysis of sporting events, talking points and controversies.
