Every week, Sportsnet.ca will chat with Sportsnet soccer commentator James Sharman about the big stories and issues in the Premier League, and preview the weekend’s games.
Jamie Vardy, N’Golo Kante, and Riyad Mahrez are on the Professional Footballers’ Association shortlist for England’s player of the year award, alongside Tottenham striker Harry Kane, West Ham United midfielder Dimitri Payet and Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil. Who should take home the honour and why?
I would love nothing more than to see Kante win the award—he is the key cog at Leicester; his energy and uncanny ability to break up attacks allows Leicester to be the counter attacking force they are. I could watch the guy all day long; he really is a freak of nature.
I have a strong suspicion Mahrez will scoop the award, and I have no problem with that. Sixteen goals and eleven assists is world-class territory. He just beats out Payet, who in fairness may have had similar numbers if not for a long-term injury mid-season. Mahrez is so unpredictable, much like Payet, and he is one of the few players who get you off your seat the second the ball arrives at his feet.
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Vincent Kompany is expected to return to action for Manchester City this weekend. How important is it for the Blues to have the Belgian back in the starting 11?
Massive, as long as he can stay healthy until the end of the season, which is a big question. City are in a scrap for a top-four spot, although there is now a four-point gap which should be enough if City can maintain any kind of consistency. It is in Europe where they really need their captain, though.
In fairness Otamendi and Mangala were very good against PSG on Tuesday, but does anyone truly trust them? Kompany, despite an injury-ravaged campaign, has been brilliant when on the field this season, but it is his leadership and organization that has really stood out. Their chances of experiencing a Champions League final are hugely improved if the Belgian is anchoring the defence.
Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Granit Xhaka has been linked with a summer move to a number of Premier League teams. What would be a good fit for the Swiss international?
Whenever I hear a big money target associated with Arsenal my eyes tend to roll. However, if in fact the Gunners are targeting him, it speaks very well for the future of the club. Arsene Wenger needs to rebuild his squad, with several midfielders expected to leave this summer. Xhaka has been excellent this season, and although young he is a real presence at the club.
He is a big body, good in the air, an excellent passer and simply someone you can trust centrally. Really, he is just the type of player this club needs, and would become a central figure quickly. Let’s just hope any deal wouldn’t be the only move this off season; Arsenal need more, but this would be a good first step.
Aston Villa visits Manchester United on Saturday. Wayne Rooney returned to action for the Red Devils as a substitute in the FA Cup midweek. If you were Louis van Gaal, how would you use him for the rest of the season?
United have been so inconsistent. Remember they beat Man City a few weeks back, but most recently they were smashed by Spurs. It’s as if the club is relying on extremely young players! Right, they are. Rooney, despite a poor season, needs to get back in the side to see how his form can improve and to take some pressure off the very impressive Marcus Rashford.
Rooney is still the captain, and as much as his stats have fallen this season, he has still at times been effective. I would allow Rooney and Rashford to split duties, perhaps try them together up front at some point. Besides, he has to convince his national team manager that he still has a role in England’s starting XI, something that only a strong run-in can do at this point.
Arsenal hosts Crystal Palace on Sunday. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Santi Cazorla could return to full training next week after lengthy injury spells. How much have the Gunners missed this pair?
Talk about two players who just cannot stay healthy. Cazorla was badly missed; prior to his injury he had been Arsenal’s best player, totally bossing the midfield week in and week out, whether he was lying deep or in a more attacking role. Cazorla is a very intelligent player and was the glue that held that team together, his loss has clearly been crippling.
As for the Ox? Meh. Decent off the bench, injects real pace into a team that at times looks slow, but overall has never done it for me simply because he cannot string together more than a few games back to back.
Sportsnet’s Soccer Central podcast, hosted by James Sharman, takes an in-depth look at the beautiful game and offers timely and thoughtful analysis on the sport’s biggest issues.