As this season’s Player of the Year awards approach at the end of this month, it is a straight battle between Tottenham’s Gareth Bale, Liverpool’s Luis Suarez and Manchester United’s Robin Van Persie.
For all the brilliance of Juan Mata, Leighton Baines and Michu, the three offensive stars stand out from the crowd.
But who should win?
Up until Christmas, Van Persie was the main man without any doubt. He had scored an endless amount of goals, with many of them either winners or moments of genius. His run of form and influence on the United team between August and December will turn out to be the reason they win the league. Over the last few months, however, the goals have stopped for the Dutchman, who has now not scored in 10 games. He is far from playing badly, but he has lost the edge that made him so amazing earlier on in the campaign.
Bale’s season has been the opposite of Van Persie’s. He had a solid, if unspectacular, first half of it, but he has been a phenomenon in 2013. Countless times he has picked Spurs up on his own and inspired them to victory, with unstoppable pace and memorable winning goals. The awesome solo goal against Norwich; the long-range strikes against West Brom and West Ham; the crucial finish in the derby against Arsenal. That’s just a few great moments from the flying Welshman this season. His current injury has only helped highlight his importance to the team.
Suarez has been sensational for Liverpool, and he is arguably the most unique, talented player in the Premier League right now. In comparison to Bale and Van Persie he has been the most consistent of the three- leading the scoring rankings with 22- but maybe hasn’t had an incredible spell of form like the other two. Where Liverpool might be without him is frightening, and his skill, work-rate and finishing are a joy to watch. His controversial personality will work against him when the winner of the prestigious award is announced, because it is voted for by their fellow professionals.
It’s certainly a difficult decision to choose between three such great players, and all of them would be worthy winners. For pure consistency and brilliance, however, Suarez should win it, but Bale will be the man who does.
