You’ve seen our domestic winners, but just like something out of Richard Littlejohn’s nightmares, it’s time for us to all go a little bit European and hand out our Euro CollinsBeans gongs.
European Manager: André Villas-Boas (FC Porto)
Is it us or are football managers getting awfully young these days? It’s staggering to think that the man who takes home this award is only 33, yet it’s an award that is well deserved given his record last season in sweeping all before him both at home and abroad. Two trophies in Portugal, including a successful, not to mention unbeaten league campaign was added to by the Europa League, as Andre Villas-Boas lived up to his former manager’s Jose Mourinho’s billing by carrying all before him. He’s also followed in the ‘Special One’s’ footsteps by becoming the highest profile arrival in England this summer. If his first few steps in management are anything to go by then the sky’s the limit.
Honourable mentions: Rudi Garcia (Lille), Jurgen Klopp (Borussia Dortmund)
European Player: Xavi (Barcelona)
If you consider the current Barcelona side as one of the best teams of all time then it stands to reason that after a season that ended in both domestic and European glory that the little man that makes it all happen be deservedly recognised. Xavi Hernadez is the man that makes everything tick. He is the conductor of the orchestra; the man that calls the tune. He isn’t flashy, but with the ball at his feet he is simply a genius. A man that can play an incredible pass before other players have even begun to open their eyes to the possibility that a ball could be on. His standards are impeccable his level at a constant level of brilliance. Always thinking, always probing, always moving the ball and always keeping it. He is an incredible player and one who we are proud here at CollinsBeans to call our European Player of the Year.
European Goalkeeper: Victor Valdes (Barcelona)
While England struggle to produce top quality goalkeeper’s right now, Spain in contrast seem to be pumping them out. When you have the consistently excellent Iker Casilas as your Number one and the equally able Pepe Reina as a deputy you are doing well. Added to that is the fact that Manchester United have just paid a hell of a lot of money for young David De Gea. The fact that Barcelona’s custodian is only third choice must be galling for most countries and it could be argued that over the past couple of seasons Valdes has *whisper it quietly* been in better form than his Real Madrid counterpart.
Whilst initially thought of as flaky and inconsistent, Valdes has blossomed into an excellent goalkeeper, one also able to play as a sweeper, defending the high line that Barca play when squeezing their opponents. Maybe Spain could throw us a couple of keepers as they seem to have so many going spare...
European Defender: Alessandro Nesta (AC Milan)
This award could quite easily have gone to AC Milan’s young Brazilian centre back Thiago Silva, but then, that in itself is the reason why this award goes to his veteran partner Alessandro Nesta. After numerous injuries, the now 35 year old enjoyed an Indian summer last time out in helping steer AC Milan back to the summit of Italian football.
Leading by example, the calmness and composure he exhibited has rubbed off on his Brazilian protégé leading to the latter being recognised this season as one of the best around. Nesta has long been recognised as one of the finest exponents of the now often missing art of how to defend and yet after a succession of serious, debilitating injuries that would have ended the career of lesser players, the former Italian international stepped up to give his club the platform on which to build their Scudetto winning team.
Honourable mentions; Thiago Silva (AC Milan), Dani Alves (Barcelona), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund),
European Midfielder: Nuri Sahin (Borussia Dortmund)
Yes, yes, we know, *technically* Xavi should be the midfielder of the year, given his player of the year award but it’s nice to share some of these awards around and so this one goes to t he creative hub of the young, dynamic and cavalier Borussia Dortmund team that took the Bundesliga by storm; Nuri Sahin.
The 22 year old Turkish International deserves all of the plaudits that gave come his way, whether it was scoring goals himself or setting them up for his grateful team mates he was deservedly voted the Germany’s player of the year, in the process earning him a glamorous big money move to Real Madrid. Indeed if there was a ‘bargain of the summer award’ then Sahin would also be a shoe in, given that for the fee that he went for (10 million Euro’s) you could get two of him for one ludicrously Jordan over priced Henderson.
Joining ex Bundesliga men like Mesut Ozil and Sami Khidera he looks well placed to aid Madrid in their attempts to wrestle back the initiative from Barcelona by bringing a gorgeous range of passing and excellent playmaking skills. Sahin set the rhythm for the young and vibrant German Champions and while it’s disappointing he didn’t stick around to play with Dortmund in the Champions League he could play a major role in Madrid perhaps winning that magic 10th title next year.
Honourable mentions; Alexis Sanchez (Udinese), Eden Hazard (Lille),
European Striker: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
In our award for the Premiership Striker of the season we said; “In the 21st Century where the deeper lying attacking players are now king and the modern forward centre forward contributes far more than tap ins on the six yard box thinking of that classic striker, who leads the line is actually fairly difficult. Gone are the days of the classic striker...just in the team to score goals.”
We then went onto say that it’s rare that one player grabs all the goals, that a team shares them around more often, however Lionel Messi, despite being anything but an orthodox ‘No. 9’ continues to be staggeringly amazing in terms of the sheer volume of goals he scores not to mention the amount he lays on for those around him.
After watching his performances this season it is unbelievably difficult to be able to sum up the staggering standard that the little Argentinean has met using just words. Already, even at still a tender age he is unquestionably and undeniably one of the best the world has ever seen. Simply awesome, night after night after night. Then again, he never has done it on a wet Tuesday night in Stoke has he...
Honourable mentions; Moussa Sow (Lille), Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Samuel Eto’o (Inter Milan), Hulk & Rademel Falcao (Both FC Porto)
European Team of the Season:
GK: Victor Valdes (Barcelona)
In the form of his life for one of the best club sides ever, an underrated, yet vitally important cog in the excellence that is the Barcelona machine.
RB: Dani Alves (Barcelona)
A dynamo of a fullback with non-stop running, he adds a vital dimension to Barcelona’s attacking play given them pace, dynamism and width down the flanks. An explosive presence that is far more influential than perhaps a right fullback ever should be.
CB: Alessandro Nesta (AC Milan)
The veteran is enjoying a fine Indian summer to his legendary career. Just narrowly edging out his young protégé Thiago Silva, Nesta was an inspirational mentor to the Brazilian as the pair formed an awesome combination for AC Milan as they regained their Serie A title from their city rivals.
CB: Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund)
A commanding yet elegant centre back that looks set to develop into one of the finest defenders of his generation. Given their own porous back line, Bayern must kick themselves that they allowed him to slip through their youth team.
LB: Eric Abidal (Barcelona)
Perhaps a sentimental choice given his life was threatened when a tumour was found in his liver in January, he recovered to play in the European Cup final. The fact was that before that he was also playing out of his skin at full back for his club.
CM: Xavi (Barcelona)
The man that makes arguably the finest club and national sides of the generation tick. Xavi is the conductor, the man who calls the tune and sets the rhythm. A player that see’s things on a pitch that lesser men couldn’t even conceptualise.
CM: Nuri Sahin (Borussia Dortmund)
See the midfielder of the season award; the creative hub of the dynamic young Dortmund side that wept all before them in Germany in a style that would win even the most jaded of fans over.
AM: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Much as you would sometimes like to, you can’t ignore the goal scoring exploits of ‘CR7’. He absolutely blasted his way through La Liga this season breaking all sets of goal scoring records. Right foot, left foot, headers, free kicks, penalties, goals from everywhere – 53 in 54 games last season. Ouch.
AM: Eden Hazard (Lille)
Arguably the most coveted young player across all of Europe, the Belgian was instrumental in unfashionable Lille taking home the French League Title. An explosive attacking force, yet one exuding gracefulness when running with the ball it is little wonder that the world and it’s uncle is after him.
AM: Alexis Sanchez (Udinese)
The next time someone asks you why you enjoy watching football just show them a tape of Alexis Sanchez in action. The Chilean wing wizard captures the imagination with dazzling feet and lightning pace. This season has played out of his skin inspiring his club to an unlikely Champions League place. He won’t be there much longer that’s for sure
ST: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
What is there left to say about this man that hasn’t already been said? A genius with the ball, and a virtuoso that quite simply is the best player in the world, not tom mention a man well on the way to being quite possibly the greatest of all time.
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