Even if Chelsea manages to squeak passed Manchester United at the top of the English Premier League charts this year, it should come as little surprise that the shortlist for the annual Professional Football Association’s Player of Year and Young Player of the Year is dominated by United players — and more specifically, Cristiano Ronaldo — says ESPN Soccernet columnist Joe Carter.
Many expected Chelsea to three-peat with ease, but it’s safe to say that no one expected Man United to put together so many dominating performances with such consistency this season, especially when you consider that Sir Alex Ferguson never replaced center forward Ruud Van Nistelrooy after he left for Real Madrid. Consider also that United’s goal differential of 52 is just four shy of Chelsea’s total tally for the year, and even if the Sky Blues steal the title, United’s meteoric rise to their level has definitely been the story of the year — not just in England, but in Europe as well.
Ronaldo, of course, is the man behind that resurgence. He’s joined on the PFA list by teammates Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, two of United’s elder statesmen, as well as Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas, Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard, and fellow- avorite, Didier Drogba of Chelsea. The 22-year-old Portuguese also heads the PFA Young Player of the Year list, accompanied by teammate Wayne Rooney, 21, and 19- year old Fabregas. Ronaldo, with 21 goals and 19 assists in all competitions so far, is favored to win both, although a late Drogba- inspired run from Chelsea could give the PFA award to the Ivorian, who currently has 30 goals and 7 assists in all competitions. Carter calls both talents “reformed actors” who’ve cut back on histrionics to focus more on their game this year.