EPL Season Roundup
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
LOL! Made me chuckle; thanks!
Nice job. I agree with Drogba over Ronaldo.
Is Rooney really more bipolar than Jens Lehmann, though? And, as a Yank I must say thank you for giving credit to our boys with gloves. We can do one thing right in this game. Good appraisal of Hahnemann, as well. Cheers!
I don’t think Lehmann is bipolar, he’s just crazy. As far as performance, I think he’s pretty consistent. You know you are going to get some great saves, as well as some just bonehead mistakes.