The Professional Footballers Associations Team of the Year was announced on Thursday and, as expected, was dominated by both Manchester City and Liverpool players, while the selection of others left fans scratching their head.An annual season award since 1974, the selection is voted for by professional footballers and while there are the expected inclusions and shock ones, too, there are also a number of surprise omissions.
13Pepe Reina (Liverpool)
The Spaniard left Anfield in 2014 and it is only this season they have finally found a worthy replacement in Alisson Becker.A brilliant goalkeeper who was comfortable on the ball, something deemed essential in the modern game, Reina made 285 Premier League appearances for the club and was a three-time Golden Glove winner.Only Petr Cech, Joe Hart and Tim Howard have kept more Premier League clean sheets.
13Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea)
Despite being part of three Premier League title-winning sides with Chelsea, the Portuguese centre-back somehow failed to make the PFA team selection.Was the perfect foil for John Terry and the pair were formidable, especially during the 2004/05 season when they only conceded 15 goals.
13Martin Keown (Arsenal)
Was part of one of the best defences in the 90’s alongside Tony Adams, Steve Bould Nigel Winterburn and Lee Dixon. The no-nonsense centre-back was integral to Arsenal’s double winning teams in 1998 and 2002 and remained with the club until 2004.
13Marcel Desailly (Chelsea)
While Carvalho was Terry’s defensive sidekick, Desailly played a crucial role in helping to teach the latter the art of playing at the back and what it means to be at Chelsea, a man the former England captain described as his ‘mentor.’Known as ‘The Rock’ Desailly was a two-time Champions League winner and World Cup champion when he moved to West London in 1998 and was equally comfortable as a defender or playing in midfield.
13Xabi Alonso (Liverpool)
Arriving with manager Rafa Benitez and Luis Garcia in 2004, the midfielder added class and guile to the Reds midfield, operating as a deep-lying play-maker able to pass any distance across the pitch and was excellent alongside Gerrard as Liverpool captured the Champions League that same season.Was key in their title charge of 2008/09, but reluctantly left the club at the end of that campaign for Real Madrid.
13Gareth Barry (Manchester City)
Barry has made a record 653 appearances in the Premier League, for Aston Villa, Man City, Everton and West Brom.Mr consistency for over a decade with Villa, he got a move to the Etihad and won the Premier League in 2011/12 and was Everton’s Player of the Season in 2015/16, but remained over looked for PFA acknowledgement.
13Gianfranco Zola (Chelsea)
Signed by Ruud Gullit in 1996, the Italian already had a lengthy career, notably in Serie A, but despite being 30 at the time of coming to Stamford Bridge, would go on to enjoy several rewarding seasons and become a club legend.Only 5ft 6, Zola refused to be intimidated in the physically demanding Premier League, skilfully navigating his way past defenders with ease and was key in the club’s resurgence to challenge and win trophies in the late 90’s.
13Freddie Ljungberg (Arsenal)
Instantly recognisable with his red mohican and underwear modelling, the flamboyant Swede was a trailblazer not just for his fashion, but his ability to score from midfield and turn up in the big games.His best season was arguably the 2001/02 campaign in which he won his first Premier League with Arsenal, netting against the likes of Man United and Liverpool.As a result, he was named Premier League Player of the Season, but failed to make the PFA Team of the Year.
13Claude Makelele (Chelsea)
The Frenchman was unheralded at Real Madrid, but loved by Chelsea. Makelele was the pivot-point under Jose Mourinho for which the midfield was built upon allowing Frank Lampard and Michael Essien to flourish.His ability to read the game, tackle and pass quickly and accurately was vital, as he captured two league titles with the club.Such was his greatness, the defensive midfield role has been named after him.
13Robbie Fowler (Liverpool)
He may now be the manager of Australian side Birsbane Roar, but Fowler was once the ultimate striker, renowned for his instinctive ability to finish and score all types of goals. That ruthlessness earned him the nickname ‘God’ from Liverpool fans.Voted PFA Young Player of the Year in 1995 and 1996, Fowler was unable to ever make the team as voted for by his fellow players.
13Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Chelsea)
Chelsea have had a mixed bag when it comes to strikers over the years, but they got it right with Hasselbaink. There was nothing fancy about the Dutchman, who possessed a lethal shot and knew exactly where the net was.Scored 23 times in 2000/01 to finish as the league’s top scorer, but somehow missed out on selection to Teddy Sheringham.
13
13
Many Everton fans would have expected the Turkey international to leave Goodison Park this month, but it is looking increasingly likely that he is going to stay and fight for his place.
Everton striker Cenk Tosun on nearly signing for Crystal
David Hopkin has resigned as manager of League One strugglers Bradford City after less than six months in charge. The 48-year-old Scot replaced Michael Collins in September, but only won seven of
David Hopkin resigns as Bradford City manager after six
Transfer news and football gossip: Real Madrid's 'plan' to sign Liverpool star, Marcus Rashford linked with stunning Barcelona move, Chelsea target Philippe Coutinho by: 161385360554578 — Talk Sport 16 Apr talkSPORT.com round up all the latest transfer news and football gossip from Tuesday's papers and online…
NewsNow: Real Madrid Transfer News news | Breaking News 24/7
Javi Gracia was unhappy with a couple of calls that went against Watford in their dramatic draw with Everton. Watford head coach Javi Gracia joined the growing call for VAR to be introduced in the
Gracia bemoans lack of VAR after Watford's dramatic draw with
Home Sports Kick-off time, TV channel and details, live stream, talkSPORT coverage and more
Newport vs Tranmere: Kick-off time, TV details, live stream
Ever since he arrived, it was clear that Salomon Rondon would play a key role at Newcastle. Rafa Benitez pushed hard to bring him in, even allowing Dwight Gayle to go the opposite way. Gayle has done well in front of goal for West Brom, but Rondon has been much more inspirational at his new club.
Rafael BenÃtez presses Mike Ashley to change Newcastle's
'Aston Villa are a bigger club than Chelsea' - Dean Saunders
One rival fan actually urged Liverpool to sign Depay, because his performance was that bad: "Liverpool please sign Memphis, this man is s****." In his new book Heart of a Lion, Depay partially blamed Van Gaal for his failings at Old Trafford. "It was very frustrating I didn't reach my usual level," he said.
Liverpool monitor Man United flop Memphis Depay as Sadio Mane
Barcelona set price for Chelsea and Manchester United to sign Philippe Coutinho Metro.co.uk 13:29 2-Jun-19 Spanish media identify Chelsea's number one choice to replace Eden Hazard Chelsea-News.co (Weblog) 12:59 2-Jun-19
NewsNow: FC Barcelona News | Barca News | Breaking News 24/7
Uefa prepared to re-open FFP investigation into Manchester City in light of Football Leaks revelations. The Premier League leaders could face new sanctions if they are found to have 'abused
UEFA may reopen Financial Fair Play investigation into
Manchester City fans seen with their backs to the game as Vincent Kompany fires in sensational winner against Leicester City Tuesday, 7 May 2019 Manchester City are the favourites to win the Premier League going into the final game this weekend after edging past Leicester on Monday.
Leicester City 0-1 Manchester United: Solskjaer says players
0 Comments