Premier League: 10 Contenders To Win PFA Player Of The Year Award
4. Juan Mata
Despite Chelsea's wayward form this season, I have listed three of their players because their midfield creativity has starred inspite of lacklustre performances of their defence or strikers. Juan Mata is the spark that has gotten Chelsea motoring ever since he joined the club, his left foot probably being worth more than my home and everything in it. Having the beneficial genetic traits of being both Spanish and a footballer, it was doubtless he was going to be a success in England, and he hasn't disappointed. This season has been again an example of his importance to the team, with fourteen league assists being complimented with ten goals in pushing Chelsea away from their current Thursday night hell towards a brighter mid-week future. Despite the Spanish domination of international of football since at least 2008, there has never been a winner of the PFA Award from that country. Is there any realistic chance of Mata being the one to buck the trend? It might be a stretch, but he certainly has a shout. The flair and skill of Mata is very evident in most matches he competes in, and is well regarded for being able to control the pace of the game like few others could manage. But he has kind of performed below the radar this season, and despite having only a few substandard performances to note, he is usually just the consistent performer in the middle, not allowing himself as much as the limelight as Lampard, or Hazard, or Ba. Mata doesn't often make the headlines, but his benefit is that he makes them for his teammates. But being a selfless player won't necessarily help win an award that is more suited to the selfish. Chances of winning: Outiside bet, but not as likely as he should be