Top 50 Players of the Season: 50-41 – Manchester United & Arsenal surprise stars sneak in

 

At the Offside Rule Podcast, we’ve been voting for our Top 50 Players of the Premier League season since the latest campaign wrapped up just over a week ago. Over 20 people nominated 25 players, first place gaining 25 points, right down to 25th place getting a solitary 1 point and slowly the whole thing came together.

Here’s the players that just did enough to sneak in from 50 down to 41…

 

50. Francis COQUELIN (Arsenal)
Points: 23

His second of the season has done just enough to earn Francis Coquelin a place in our Top 50. If you’d mentioned his name last season, people would have laughed at the prospect of such a thing happening, especially when he was given ANOTHER loan spell to Charlton at the start of the season. It appeared he had little future at Arsenal, but an injury crisis meant he was recalled to the first team.

A string of superb performances meant he kept his place in the team for the rest of the season; he was excellent in big games at the Etihad and Old Trafford and completely bossed the opposition in the weekend’s FA Cup final. Arsenal fans will hope he’s not a one-season wonder, if he’s not, he could be much further up the rankings this time next year.

 

49. Lukasz FABIANSKI (Swansea City)
Points: 24

The Pole has certainly got rid of the ‘Flapianski’ nickname he garnered for himself at Arsenal. Last year’s cup final goalkeeper departed the Gunners on a free and has been one of the best keepers in the league this season, culminating in a superb performance back at the Emirates a short while ago.

Given he was a free transfer, he was certainly one of the buys of the season, putting himself in with a chance of the Golden Glove award, quite an achievement given he was playing in a defence vastly inferior to those nearer the top of the league.

 

48. Saido BERAHINO (West Brom)
Points: 25

He’s had some odd moments this season, his non-celebrations against Gateshead and constant rumours of wanting out seemed all the more understandable when it became known he shares an agent with Raheem Sterling, who himself has been badly advised all season.

But, Berahino did more than enough to entice the big clubs with his on pitch performances this season. He was the driving force in West Brom’s attack and his age ensures he’ll only continue to improve wherever he ends up in August.

 

47. Emre CAN (Liverpool)
Points: 27

A real tale of two seasons for Liverpool’s new recruit Emre Can. Undoubtedly brought in to play in midfield once Steven Gerrard departs, Can found himself a home in a back three tested out by Brendan Rodgers at the start of the season.

Can looked right at home alongside Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren, but the failings of his defensive partners and goalkeepers ensured he maybe didn’t get the credit he deserved. He has no problem going forward and running with the ball, which means he’ll turn into a top player next season if Rodgers decided to shift him into midfield. He had a tough end to the season, but he certainly looks a prospect.

 

46. Hector BELLERIN (Arsenal)
Points: 28

One of the breakthrough’s of the season, although he owes a lot to the constant injury issues of Mathieu Debuchy. Whilst a player coming out of Barcelona’s famed La Masia has to have some talent, Bellerin was allowed to flourish when Debuchy got injured during the first half of the season.

Another nasty shoulder injury ensured Bellerin stayed in the team for the rest of the season and he was a crucial outlet for Arsene Wenger down the right hand side, culminating in an impressive performance in the FA Cup final. With time on his side and plenty of room for improvement, fans will be excited to see how Bellerin develops next season.

 

45. James MILNER (Manchester City)
Points: 28

Despite his impending departure, James Milner probably had his best season in a blue shirt this season, leading to City offering him a new contract at the end of the season. With Samir Nasri likely on his way, Milner could stick around but it appears there will be a revolution at the Etihad this summer, leaving Milner even further down the pecking order.

His selfless attitude and tough approach doesn’t fit the styles or messrs Silva and Aguero, but that has made him all the more crucial and Pellegrini’s go to guy in the big games this season. With some top performances behind him, he’ll be a good pick up for someone this summer.

 

44. Toby ALDERWEIRELD (Southampton)
Points: 31

It was a big job for any defender to come in and replicate the first season form Dejan Lovren showed at St. Mary’s last season, but Atletico Madrid’s Toby Alderweireld definitely took up the mantle left by the Croatian.

As it turns out, Lovren’s move to Liverpool didn’t go well, but unless the Belgian signs a permanent deal at the club, Southampton will have to go through the same process again this summer. Fortunately for Ronald Koeman, Jose Fonte was once again sensational and provided excellent cover for Alderweireld. But with Champions League football to go back to in Spain, it’s a question over whether or not Atletico want to keep him.

 

43. Mile JEDINAK (Crystal Palace)
Points: 32

Whilst the likes of Yannick Bolasie and Jason Puncheon stole all the attention as Palace flourished towards the end of the season, Jedinak was again the engine in Alan Pardew’s midfield. His influence was missed when he departed for the Asia Cup in January, but his no nonsense attitude in midfield was pivotal in order for the likes of Bolasie to shine.

Given the small fee he commanded after leaving Turkey in 2011, Jedinak may go down as one of the best signings in Palace’s Premier League history. He even reached double figures this season to add to the success story.

 

42. Wilfried BONY (Swansea City & Manchester City)
Points: 46

Many questioned whether he was right for a big team like Manchester City, especially for the £30m reported back in January. Bony’s form at Swansea before January meant he was still the club’s top scorer right until the end of the season.

Just two goals followed at City, once back at his old home in May, but he does appear to have all the qualities to be successful at the Etihad, if he gets a run of games alongside the ever influential Sergio Aguero next season. With Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic set to depart, those chances should arrive.

 

41. Marouane FELLAINI (Manchester United)
Points: 48

The big Belgian was certainly one of the surprises of the season, unless you’d seen him play at Everton. It was never in doubt that Fellaini had the qualities to cause chaos among defenders, it was simply that he had struggled to adapt to a deeper role at Old Trafford under David Moyes.

But a half-time substitution at West Brom in October changed everything for Fellaini, a goal just minutes after coming on, the Belgian struck his first goal for the club with five more soon to follow. Fellaini was sensational in big games against Manchester City and Liverpool and has really turned things around for himself at Old Trafford.