Odds and Sods

Here is the Odds and Sods roundup of the 2006-7 season.

Starting XI

Didier Drogba, Chelsea

This one was pretty much a no brainer. He had 32 goals in all competitions, including 20 in the Premier League. Arguably the best striker in the world this season, he was the difference between Chelsea finishing 2nd and 4th.

Dimitar Berbatov, Tottenham Hotspur

The Bulgarian had twenty-three goals for Spurs this season in all competitons, showing no difficulty at all adjusting to the Premier League. Not much in the way of pace, but he is a first-class finisher. Purchased for 10.9m GB, he has most likely tripled his value.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United

Another no brainer.  He had 23 goals and 20 assists out of the midfield this season.  His flair and stepovers were actually productive.  He may be the best player in the world right now, and the scary part is he is still developing.

Michael Essien, Chelsea

He probably could be in the All-Premiership list at multiple positions.  He was excellent playing out of position in Central Defense and at Right Back.  In his natural midfield position, he was an absolute beast and an engine driving the Blues forward.  He also had arguably the best goal of the season with his late equaliser against Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta, Everton

The Spaniard is the most underrated player in the Premiership.  He was absolutely outstanding in the midfield, contributing nine goals and numerous man of the match performances.  Without him, Everton do not qualify for Europe.

Ryan Giggs, Manchester United

What a long strange trip it’s been, but Ryan Giggs is still the best left winger in England.  He turned out a vintage performance this season and was a key component of Manchester Utd’s multi-pronged dynamic midfield attack.  Led the Reds to their 9th Premiership Title during his career.

Steve Finnan, Liverpool

It is hard to believe that there could be an UNDERrated Liverpool player, but Finnan manages to get overlooked time and again.  The Irishman is the only player in the Premiership to have worked his way up through every level of English football from the Conference to the Premiership.  He does a fabulous job of getting down the wings getting crosses into the box.

Ricardo Carvalho, Chelsea

Often christened “the master of the dark arts,” the Chelsea defender held down the fort for much of the season as injuries ravaged the rest of Chelsea’s back four.  Expert at crafty play and antagonizing opposing strikers, his absence was felt palpably against Liverpool in the Champions League and may affect Chelsea’s ability to compete in the FA Cup Final as well.

Nemanja Vidic, Manchester United

His partnership with Rio Ferdinand in central defense provided the backbone for Manchester United’s title run and gave Paul Scholes and Co. the freedom to drift forward.  The Serb showed incredible strength and tackling ability, and had a magnificent first season in the Premiership.  Sir Alex will attempt to keep him from jumping ship to Juve.

Patrice Evra, Manchester United

He was quite simply the best Left-Back in the Premiership and gave a truly world-class performance, unlike Cashley “The Best Left-Back in the World” Cole.

Marcus Hahnemann, Reading

Cech is without a doubt a class above the rest, but can’t be considered as he missed so much of the season.  The Three Americans (Howard, Friedel, and Hahnemann) were the best over the course of the season.  Hahnemann gets the edge because he was a leader on a young team and was a huge part of Reading’s surprising success.

An interesting sub-plot after the disappointing England showing in the World Cup is that there are no England National Team players on that list.  Lampard arguably could have been considered, had he not gone MIA the last two months of the season, but besides him no one.

Honorable Mention Subs Bench

Brad Freidel, Blackburn

Gary Neville, Manchester United

Steven Gerrard, Liverpool

Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal

Bennie McCarthy, Blackburn

Player of the Year: Didier Drogba, Chelsea

Drogba gets the slight edge over Ronaldo in our book.  Ronaldo had career performances from his teammates, while Drogba often dragged Chelsea by himself kicking and screaming.

Young Player of the Year: Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United

Apologies to Cesc Fabregas

Manager of the Year: Steve Coppell, Reading

Most Entertaining Side: Reading

Least Entertaining Side: Manchester City

Apologies to Wigan Athletic, Sheffield United, Watford, and Fulham

Best Signing: Dimitar Berbatov, Tottenham Hotspur

Worst Signing: Andriy Shevchenko, Chelsea

30 m GBP transfer fee, 30 appearances, 4 goals

Best Dressed: Thierry Henry, Arsenal

Spent a lot of time sitting in the stands, and looked sharp every time.

Worst Dressed: Alan Curbishley 

Is a tie too much to ask?

Most Pies Eaten: Mark Viduka, Middlesbrough

Apologies to Fat Frank and Baptista

Best Selling Swimsuit Calendar: Freddie Ljungberg, Arsenal

Worst Selling Swimsuit Calendar: Ivan Campo, Bolton

Apologies to Sam Allardyce

Most Unintentionally Funny Goal Celebration: Tie, Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson

Most Unintentionally Amusing Player Column: Kevin Nolan, BBC

Anger Management Award: Joey Barton, Manchester City

Apologies to Craig Bellamy

Ibsen Award: Frank Lampard, Chelsea

Apologies to rest of Chelsea Lockeroom

Bipolar Award for Consistent Inconsistency: Wayne Rooney, Manchester United

Cro-Magnon Award: Jamie Carragher, Liverpool

Peter Crouch Award: Peter Crouch, Liverpool

Best Hair: Joleon Lescott

Apologies to David James

Best Beard: Wayne Rooney, Manchester United

The BBC is reporting that Chelsea Manager Jose Mourinho was arrested on suspicion of obstructing police on Tuesday.  Mourinho was attending a Chelsea Awards ceremony on Tuesday, when he was called to return home.  He allegedly refused to allow the authorities to seize his Yorkshire Terrier under the Animal Health Act of 1981 and the Rabies Order Act of 1974.  He was taken to a West London police station and cautioned.

A spokesman for Mourinho issued the following statement.

Mr Mourinho would like to make it clear that his pet dog was bought in England from a reputable breeder and has had all its necessary inoculations…Full co-operation will be given over any animal health issues.

Any dog owner would sympathize with “The Special One,” and his actions aren’t really the issue at stake.  What is amusing is his ownership of a Yorkshire terrier.  The cool, calculating and reserved leader of men owns one of the wimpiest lap dogs on the planet.  One can only hope that it has a little tiny bed in his office as well and yaps at Andiry Shevchenko.

It is always great to see people with a gruff and masculine public personna have the dichotomy between that and their personal life exposed.   It is also nice to finally have a story relating sports personalities and dogs that doesn’t involve abuse.

Check it out here