James Milner, Aston Villa
Milner is still a young player but seems to have been around forever. He made his debut for Leeds United at the tender age of 16 and has been consistently playing in the top-flight ever since. Milner moved to Newcastle where he quickly established himself in the starting eleven before moving to Aston Villa at the beginning of the current campaign. It has been over the course of this year that Milner’stalent has truly been seen, though he is often overshadowed by the performances of Ashley Young and Gabby Agbonlahor. Milner has been in great form all season and scored a wonder goal against Everton from a free-kick last weekend.
Milner is still a young player but seems to have been around forever. He made his debut for Leeds United at the tender age of 16 and has been consistently playing in the top-flight ever since. Milner moved to Newcastle where he quickly established himself in the starting eleven before moving to Aston Villa at the beginning of the current campaign. It has been over the course of this year that Milner’stalent has truly been seen, though he is often overshadowed by the performances of Ashley Young and Gabby Agbonlahor. Milner has been in great form all season and scored a wonder goal against Everton from a free-kick last weekend.
Abdoulaye Faye, Stoke City
At the start of the season Stoke were football favourites to go down with the majority of football pundits and punters alike. They are on the verge of achieving the unthinkable in Premier League survival and this is largely due to their towering defender Abdoulaye Faye. The Senegalese international began his Premier League career with Bolton, where he made over 50 appearances for the Lancashire side. When Sam Allardyce swapped the Reebok Stadium for St James’ Park Faye was the only player he took with him to his new club. After just one season at Newcastle he was sold to Stoke for a fee of around £2million. At Stoke Faye has become a hero and is probably going to be named their player of the season this year, he has almost single-handedly turned their defence into a formidable unit and has chipped in with three vital goals for the Potters.
At the start of the season Stoke were football favourites to go down with the majority of football pundits and punters alike. They are on the verge of achieving the unthinkable in Premier League survival and this is largely due to their towering defender Abdoulaye Faye. The Senegalese international began his Premier League career with Bolton, where he made over 50 appearances for the Lancashire side. When Sam Allardyce swapped the Reebok Stadium for St James’ Park Faye was the only player he took with him to his new club. After just one season at Newcastle he was sold to Stoke for a fee of around £2million. At Stoke Faye has become a hero and is probably going to be named their player of the season this year, he has almost single-handedly turned their defence into a formidable unit and has chipped in with three vital goals for the Potters.
Danny Murphy, Fulham
Danny Murphy began his career at Crewe, where Dean Ashton, Rob Hulse and David Platt also started out. He sealed a move to Liverpool in 1997 and quickly established himself alongside Steven Gerrard in midfield. After making over 150 appearances for the club he moved on after being deemed surplus to requirements but his career continued to flourish elsewhere. He played a major part in Fulham’s Premier League survival last season and has perhaps been their star this season, where Fulham have got to the brink of European qualification. He may not be the most flash player in the league but Murphy is consistent and always puts in a decent display for Fulham.
Danny Murphy began his career at Crewe, where Dean Ashton, Rob Hulse and David Platt also started out. He sealed a move to Liverpool in 1997 and quickly established himself alongside Steven Gerrard in midfield. After making over 150 appearances for the club he moved on after being deemed surplus to requirements but his career continued to flourish elsewhere. He played a major part in Fulham’s Premier League survival last season and has perhaps been their star this season, where Fulham have got to the brink of European qualification. He may not be the most flash player in the league but Murphy is consistent and always puts in a decent display for Fulham.
Gary Cahill, Bolton Wanderers
23-year-old Cahill is the heart of Bolton’s defence and is a major factor in the Wanderers staying out of the relegation dog-fight this season. He is great in the air, has brilliant awareness and is very good on the ball for a centre-half. He was overlooked by Fabio Capello in the most recent England squads but should break into the national side in the near future. One thing is for sure though, Bolton would really struggle without Cahill shoring up the back.
23-year-old Cahill is the heart of Bolton’s defence and is a major factor in the Wanderers staying out of the relegation dog-fight this season. He is great in the air, has brilliant awareness and is very good on the ball for a centre-half. He was overlooked by Fabio Capello in the most recent England squads but should break into the national side in the near future. One thing is for sure though, Bolton would really struggle without Cahill shoring up the back.
Antonio Valencia, Wigan AthleticWigan have been pushing for European qualification all season and a big reason for this is the talented Ecuadorian Antonio Valencia. The talented 23-year-old has notched up six goals for the Latics this season and is always a handful for the opposition defence. It looks as if Valencia could be set to leave the JJB Stadium in the summer, with Real Madrid among his reported suitors, but Valencia turned down a move in January because he wanted to see the season out with Wigan. In a world where football is dominated by money this kind of loyalty has to be applauded and I’m sure Valencia will be a world famous name in the near future.
