UEFA Club Football of the Year nominees 2007/08 sees 6 reds up for award
August 23, 2008
The nominees for UEFA’s club footballer of the year were announced yesterday and the Red’s lead the way with a total of 6 players nominated. The strength of the premier league is demonstrated with 17 of the 20 nominees playing their football in England. United have nominees in each category (goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and forwards) and our prediction is that United players will take 3 out of the 4 awards on offer.
Edwin van der Sar is nominated for the best goalkeeper award alongside Manuel Almunia of Arsenal, Petr Cech of Chelsea, Manuel Neuer of FC Shalke and Pepe Reina of Liverpool. There is no way Van der Sar is not going to win this one; he was instrumental in our domestic success and it was his penalty save in the Champions League final which won us the trophy. One down.
Wrong: Petr Cech won it again.
Both Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand have been shortlisted for the club defender of the year award alongside Jamie Carragher of Liverpool, Carles Puyol of Barcelona and John Terry of Chelsea. Vidic has had an outstanding season but Rio is sure to take this one. His displays last season were nothing short of immense and he has silenced any critics who thought he was overrated with dominant displays at the back. It used to be said that Rio was a great player on his day. After last season’s performances, I think it’s safe to say every day is his day. 2 out of 2.
Wrong: 0 for 2. John Terry won. Did they miss that penalty? Robbed.
The only United player to be nominated in midfield is Paul Scholes and I just don’t see him winning this one. His goal against Barcelona was a truly memorable moment but will it be enough to secure him the title of UEFA’s best midfielder of the year? Scholes is up against Cesc Fabregas of Arsenal, Michael Essien and Frank Lampard of Chelsea and Steven Gerrard of Liverpool. I think Fabregas’ performance against AC Milan in the competition may be enough to win him this one.
Wrong: Frank Lampard won this and that’s 0 for 3 in my predictions.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney will do battle for the best forward of the year along with Lionel Messi of Barcelona, Didier Drogba of Chelsea and Fernando Torres of Liverpool. It is surely not even worth considering anyone for this award other than the Portuguese trickster Ronaldo. He finished the competition’s top scorer with 8 goals, more than both Torres and Drogba who came in a close second with 6 each and double the 4 goals Rooney managed. Drogba finished the season’s top fouler with 37 offences and his red card against United in the final will surely rule him out of the award. Torres also clocked up a fair number of fouls committing an average of one foul every 35 minutes. Torres did have a good debut season but Ronaldo was out of this world. Another award for the forwards cabinet.
Correct: Well done Cristiano Ronaldo. This was a no brainer….
You can see more information on last season’s Champions League in our top performers list comiled at the end of the 07/08 campaign.
More that may interest you
- 4 Reds nominated for 2008 European Footballer of the Year award- Champions League top performers
- Champions League Draw 2008/09
- Alex Ferguson expecting improvement. Can United turn it around?
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