This goes to the one, the only, Wayne Rooney with this pearler from the Manchester Derby
Next award is the Robert Green blunder of the season award, awarded to the biggest 'keeper blunder and this season it goes to Ali Al Habsi from Wigan for this terrible mistake against Manchester City
The next award shall be known as the Roy Kean's Red award, awarded to a player who is a tad loco and goes in for that too rash tackle. Although this tackle was not in the Premier League it was produced from a Premier League club in the Europa league. The award goes to none other than Mario Balotelli for this imitation of his club mate Nigel De Jong's effort in the World Cup final
Here is De Jong's tackle if you were wondering
On to the next award called the Landon Donovan award, awarded to the player who had the worst goal miss of the season. This year it goes to Marouane Chamakh for this absolute howler against Blackpool
The next award is the Bend it like Beckham award, awarded to the player who scores the best free kick of the season. An honourable mention must go to Carlos Tevez's effort against Stoke which was a close second to this one. However the winner was Leighton Baines with this stunning left foot effort for Everton
Everton shot stopper Tim Howard has got the Gordon Banks award for save of the year. It is at 1 min 12 seconds of this video.
Now onto the rest of the awards. We will begin with the biggest flop of 2010/2011 season award and its absolutely no contest for this one. It goes to Fernando Torres. After securing a £50 million transfer to Chelsea at the end of January he appeared 14 times for the Londoners only to score one goal! Oh Fernando.
To the other end of the scale its time to award the bargain buy of the season award. There are a few honourable mentions to be given here. Chiek Tiote to Newcastle was an absolute master stroke and has been solid all season. Peter Odemwingie of West Brom broke the clubs Premier League goal scoring record by netting 15 this year and to think West Brom only shelled out around £2 million for him. But the award goes to wheeler dealer master Harry Redknapp for nabbing Dutchman Rafael Van Der Vaart of Real Madrid for the measly fee of £8 million. He went on to be top scorer for the club with 13 in the league and created just as many, nice work Tottenham.
The debutant or young player of the year was a tough call. There has been a couple of real talents to emerge in the Premier League this season. Jack Wilshere for Arsenal is one, along with Andy Carroll - originally for Newcastle - now for Liverpool but the award has to go to Chicharito (Javier Hernandez) of Manchester United. He also could have fallen into the last award, as Fergie managed to pay only £6 million for his services. The 22 year old Mexican went on to score 20 goals in all competitions and counting with the Champions League final this weekend, not bad for your first season.
Finally we come to the team of the season. There have been some fine performances by players this season so it has been a tough choice. The team is as follows, lining up in a traditional English 4-4-2 formation:
'Keeper: Joe Hart
The lad has been outstanding for this star studded squad. He was introduced last season due to an injury Shay Given - a superb 'keeper himself - and has never looked back. He has managed to keep Given out of the City starting XI permanently thanks to his consistent displays between the sticks. Hart has also landed the English number 1 gig as well thanks to his performances.
Right Back: Micah Richards
Hart's City team mate Micah Richards gets the nod marginally over Branislav Ivanovic due to his consistency and constant starting place in his team. Richards has a bit of pace and quite a lot of strength for a right back and uses it to good effect. The right back position has been the problem area for a lot of squads this season.
Centre Backs: Nemanja Vidic and Vincent Company
Again a Manchester City player makes it, this time in the form of Company. He has been the rock in City's defence this season and could well be on his way to getting the armband depending on Tevez's decision on his future. Vidic needs no introduction. He has been part of the United set up for seasons now and has been the skipper in Ferdinand's absence in a tight nit United defensive unit. Robert Huth and Brede Hangeland narrowly missed out but have been excellent for their respective clubs this season.
Left Back: Leighton Baines
Everton's Baines has been outstanding this season nabbing some brilliant goals, but more importantly was equal third for assists in the league with 11. Not bad from your left back. He also managed to win himself four caps for England for his performances and thats why he beat Ashley Cole to the team of the year.
Right Midfield: Nani
Has been instrumental for Manchester United this season, topping the assists charts with 18. With not much help from his central midfield partners at times, Nani has taken it upon himself to be the midfield maestro that United rely on.
Centre Mid's: Scott Parker and Charlie Adam
Although both Parker's and Adam's clubs were relegated they were the heart and soul of their clubs fight to stay in the Premier League. Parker won the Football Writer's Association award for good reason working tirelessly for a club that never seemed to gel under Grant's management. Adam was just as important for Blackpool with 9 assists and 12 goals. The Scotsman gave everything for the Seasiders and attracted interest from both Tottenham and Liverpool in January.
Left Midfield: Rafael Van Der Vaart
Although its not Van Der Vaart's favoured position, there was no way he was going to be left out of the starting XI for his efforts this season. 13 goals and 9 assists is a superb effort for adapting to a new league.
Strikers: Carlos Tevez and Robin Van Persie
Yes I left Dimitar Berbatov out of the starting XI, mainly down to the fact he was not consistent enough to warrant a starting place compared to these two. Whilst Tevez's future is still unclear his on field performances show no sign of his indecision off of it. 20 goals and sharing the golden boot with Berbatov is a wonderful effort from the Argentine. City look a completely different side without him in it, his fighting spirit and leadership has been crucial in City's third place finish. Robin Van Persie has assumed the captain's armband in the absence of Cesc Fabregas and boy has he stepped his game up. The Dutchman racked up a tally of 18 goals for Arsenal this season, mainly from the turn of the year as he shrugged off injury and hit form. Mind you he scored the bulk of his goals when Arsenal were under performing as well which is the reason why he is in the squad.
The Bench:
'Keeper: Edwin Van Der Sar
Left Back: Ashley Cole
Centre Back: Brede Hangeland
Centre Mid: Joey Barton
Attacking Mid: David Silva
Right Mid/Striker: Clint Dempsey
Striker: Dimitar Berbatov
Hope you enjoyed the inaugural Beautiful Game Premier League awards, was a pleasure to present them.
awesome!
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