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The PFA Team of the Year… without Lampard?

Published by Ian John on May 2, 2010

This time last week the PFA announced their choice of Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year and the Premiership Team of the Year. There were few eyebrows raised in surprise when Wayne Rooney was deservedly named player of the year. A few more were raised when James Milner pipped Cesc Fabregas for Young Player of the Year (though Milner has also enjoyed a fantastic season and was certainly not a poor choice for this award).

The team of the year made interesting reading as the PFA professionals voted it to be: Joe Hart (Birmingham), Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea), Richard Dunne (Aston Villa), Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Antonio Valencia (Manchester United), Darren Fletcher (Manchester United), James Milner (Aston Villa), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Didier Drogba (Chelsea)

And while I respect the fact they are professional players and their opinions count. I think some of the inclusions, and omissions, are quite frankly laughable.

Joe Hart in goal? Now the Birmingham man has had a great year, but what about Mark Schwarzer of Fulham? Brad Friedel of Aston Villa or even Gomes of Tottenham who has been in outstanding form? That is without even mentioning the best keeper in the Premier League by far, Pepe Reina, without whom Liverpool’s season would have lurched from the terrible to the laughable. Liverpool may have been dreadful this season but the one player who has been a measure of consistency is Reina.

Defensively, I’d happily agree with the inclusions of Richard Dunne and Patrice Evra. I can also understand why Branislav Ivanovic got the nod, though I think Glen Johnson paid the price for Liverpool’s miserable season. However Thomas Vermaelen? The Belgian is a class act, a good player but have Arsenal been a quality defensive team since his arrival? I don’t think so and their defensive frailties are the reason they are no longer in contention in the EPL and Champions League.

So as good as Vermaelen has been, I can’t understand his inclusion. Not when he hasn’t been the best centre back in London let alone the league because the omission of Michael Dawson of Tottenham is more a puzzlement to me.

The midfield is an area where I have most problem with. Fabregas of course, walks into the team. I would also make space for James Milner in midfield but how Fletcher and Valencia get into the team is beyond me. Both have had good seasons, though I would argue Fletcher last season was better than this. Valencia however blows hot and cold and Nani can equally claim to have had as good a season, especially recently.

But that pales into insignificance when considering that 20+ a season midfielder Frank Lampard is not even mentioned. How? Chelsea are top. Lampard has scored 20 goals from midfield. That is enough alone to get him in the team, no matter what Valencia or Fletcher have done. I’m sorry but without Lampard in the team then the PFA selection for me is bordering on farcical.

As for the second midfield slot then I can think of plenty of others just as deserving as Valencia or Fletcher. Huddlestone of Tottenham for example who has enjoyed a fantastic season and pushed himself into late contention for the England squad. You could make a similar case for his team mate Niko Kranjcar who is arguably the bargain of the season at £3m. Then there is Everton’s Steven Pienaar who has been superb this season for the Toffeemen so much so that Chelsea and Manchester United are reportedly interested in making a bid for him. Florent Malouda, who has been outstanding for Chelsea this season.

As good as Valencia and Fletcher have been, their inclusion, for me, is more about who they play for than how they’ve played. That puts players at clubs perceived to be a lesser club than Manchester United, every other team in the EPL in the main, at a distinct disadvantage.

And so onto the strikers. Rooney and Drogba. I would and could not argue against either players inclusion. I think Darren Bent of Sunderland can count himself unfortunate to have been up against two World Class strikers in top form and I think that in another season Bent may well have earned himself a place in the team.

So I think the professional’s got it right for the most part, but the omission of Lampard from midfield is the most baffling and inexcusable exclusion for me.

Image Courtesy of Jaenpu on Flickr.com

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