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Decipher Soccer Awards 2009 : The Players of the Year 2009
Published by Ian John on December 30, 2009
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2009 has witnessed some of the best individual player performances in many years both in the EPL, abroad and in international games too. We look back over the year and select our best young player of the Premier League in 2009, the best player in the Premier League 2009, the best young International Player in 2009 and the best International Player in 2009.
Player of the Year : Young Player of the Premier League 2009 : Jack Rodwell (Everton)
Everton boss David Moyes and his backroom team, seem to have an uncanny knack in finding some of the best young talent in Britain and nurturing them at Goodison Park. Wayne Rooney was the biggest name in recent times to come through the Everton academy, but now a new name is on the lips of almost every big club in the world. That of Jack Rodwell. He made his debut at 16, at 17 was a regular in the side in a midfield anchoring role and yet, it is thought he may well become established as a centre half. A hugely talented footballer who reads the game very well, athletic, strong and packs a good shot from distance. Rodwell has it all to become one of European football’s biggest talents. Manchester United, Chelsea and Real Madrid are already believed to be keeping a very close eye on the youngster and it is easy to see why after the year he has enjoyed.
Player of the Year : Premier League Player of the Year 2009 : Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
A very tough selection to go from. Didier Drogba was extremely close and but for his ban in European competition may well have edged this award, but in the end Cesc Fabregas gets the nod. The elegant midfielder oozes class from every pore and his influence over the Arsenal team has grown markedly over the past twelve months. He has added goals to the creative talents that he possesses and he is already club captain at age 22. No wonder that Barcelona reportedly want to spend £40m on securing a deal for the player. Arsene Wenger would be mad to let him go at that price however for at the moment, it is hard to see any player out there capable of playing the role he does for Arsenal any better. An outstanding year that confirms Fabregas as one of the best central midfielders in world football.
Player of the Year : International Young Player of the Year 2009 : Mesut Ozil (Werder Bremen & Germany)
What a transformation this year has seen for Bremen’s outstanding young playmaking midfielder. Always talented, but sometimes accused of lacking application, Ozil has answered his critics in resounding fashion, scoring the winning goal in the German cup final for Werder Bremen just weeks before leading Germany Under 21′s to a fantastic European U21 title with some exhilarating performances and he has since become a regular for his club side, scoring six goals in just twelve league games for Bremen this season, 9 in 17 in all competitions and he has also become a regular for the German national squad. The 21 year old should go on from here to enjoy a successful 2010.
Player of the Year : International Player of the Year 2009 : Andres Iniesta (Barcelona & Spain)
While all the plaudits this year have gone to Lionel Messi, my choice for player of the year is his Barca team-mate. Messi’s eye catching performances are sublime and I do not doubt his brilliance or importance to Barcelona, but for me Iniesta is as reliable as they come and is performing at such a consistently high level in terms of both defending and attacking, week in week out, that for me he is arguably the best all round midfield player in world football at the moment. His vision and movement are almost impossible to defend against at times. Allied to that he is supremely skilled, able to beat a player in a tight space and he also scores vital goals, as shown by his last gasp equaliser against Chelsea in the Champions League semi final. He may not have the eye-catching skills of Messi, or the flair and pace of Ronaldo, but for me Iniesta is as valuable to Barcelona as any other player in that wonderful team.
Image Courtesy of ***Zin Ty Ty *** on Flickr.com
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Naheem Charania on Wed, 20th Jan 2010 10:51 pm
Ozil is a fantastic choice, filling Diego’s boots very well for Werder. Miralem Pjanic has been a phenomenal fill-in for the departed J.Pernambucano as well. Looking forward to some great stuff from the young Bosnian.