EPL 2014-15 Soccer Transfer Rumors & News: Who Are Top MVP Candidates?
Being crowned the top player in the Premier League is one of the great individual honors.
Over the years, top players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Gareth Bale, Thierry Henry and Ruud van Nistelrooy have received the honor. In 2013-14, Luis Suarez was given the award for his offensive prowess and ability to help restore Liverpool to a competitive state.
Offensive players tend to be favored for the award. Since it was started in 1994-95, only two defenders and one goalie have been given the accolade. Nine forwards have won the honor while eight midfielders have been graced with the trophy.
Which players are the favorites to be named MVP in 2014-15? Latin Post takes a look:
Cesc Fabregas - Chelsea
The Spanish midfielder has not been particularly great over the last few years, but that is the result of playing second fiddle for Barcelona. Prior to his move to Catalonia, Fabregas was a terrific player for Arsenal. He put up 23 assists in 45 games in 2007-08 (a personal best thus far) and also scored a career-high 19 goals in 36 games back in 2009-10.
The quick pace of the Premier League certainly suits him and he is likely to be the main creative star at Chelsea this season. There is simply no way that Jose Mourinho spent money this summer to sit him on the bench. Fabregas' assists will rack up as he gets the chance to dish the ball off to the likes of Diego Costa and Eden Hazard.
Diego Costa - Chelsea
Yes, another Chelsea player (there will be more).
Costa was terrific in Spain last season with a career-best 36 goals in 52 games for Atletico Madrid. He will be the main man again for Chelsea and will be relied on heavily to score. Costa should have no difficulty coping with the pace and physicality of the Premier League. If he remains disciplined, he could rack up the goals. As Suarez and Gareth Bale proved in the last two seasons, being a leading goal-scorer is a way to ensure the MVP award.
Eden Hazard - Chelsea
The final Chelsea player on this list, Hazard is coming off a breakout season and at age 23, he is still growing. He carried Chelsea's depleted offense in 2013-14, but he will not have that pressure this year. If he continues playing his creative game, there is no reason that he cannot continue to rack up goals, and even assists, for his club.
Wayne Rooney - Manchester United
Wayne Rooney is already having a terrific pre-season and it is certainly a sign that things are great under Louis van Gaal. The Englishman is coming off a solid 2013-14 season and could find himself as the captain of the club in the upcoming season. He still has a lot to give for his club and could put up more than 20 goals this year while creating plays.
Robin van Persie - Manchester United
The Dutchman will certainly be thrilled to work alongside his former national team coach. Rooney could still score north of 20 goals and if he plays the way he did back in 2012-13, there is no reason to doubt his ability to win the award. A lot will be determined by how healthy he can stay. Van Persie only played 21 Premier League games in 2013-14. He has only managed to play a full 38 two times in his career (2012-13, 2013-14), but has never played more than 30 games otherwise.
Alexis Sanchez - Arsenal
The Chilean is entering his prime years and will finally get a chance to be the main man on his team. Sanchez had a terrific 2013-14 with Barcelona (a career-high 19 goals in the Spanish League), but he remained in the shadow of Lionel Messi and Neymar for most of it. His arrival at Arsenal will ensure him top minutes as well as every opportunity to score. He is also an astute passer and more than capable of creating goals. Sanchez assisted on 10 League goals in 2013-14.
Mesut Ozil - Arsenal
Remember when Ozil's arrival in Arsenal at the start of last season sparked the team to the top of the table?
That is the kind of impact that the German can have when he is at his best. The problem is that he has not been at his best since November. He had a terrific performance in the World Cup final, but the tournament was far from his best moment (he was better in 2010). Despite a mediocre season, Ozil still managed 2.9 key passes per game in the Premier League and also completed 88 percent of his passes. If Ozil can recapture his best form more consistently, then there is no reason that Arsenal cannot compete and win the title. If they do, then expect Ozil to be at the center of it and win the top individual accolade.
Aaron Ramsey - Arsenal
If Ozil was a major reason for Arsenal's success, Ramsey might have been an even bigger one. The Welshman was on fire to start the 2013-14 season until an injury derailed his campaign. He had actually managed an astonishing 10 goals in 23 matches to start 2013-14. His versatility, creativity and speed make the Gunners tremendous on the flanks. If Ramsey can stay healthy and play at his best -- he is only 23 -- then he could follow his countryman Gareth Bale and win the award in 2014-15.
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