End of Season Review: Best Midfielder

Timi Iwayemi: Santi Cazorla (ARSENAL): Wenger made the important decision to play the diminutive Spaniard deeper this season and Santi flourished. Cazorla’s influence was present all over Arsenal’s game. He greatly improved his defensive contribution to the Gunners averaging 1.6 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per game. This improvement didn’t hinder the other side of Cazorla’s game. He made the most passes in the Premier League completing a healthy 89% of his 2369 attempts. He was also directly involved in 18 goals for Arsenal with 7 goals and 11 assists.

Oluwamayowa Idowu: Two of the players I enjoyed watching the most in the League were Ander Herrera and Daley Blind but ultimately, they didn’t do enough to merit being tipped as the Best Midfielders in the league. For pure brawn and solidity, Francis Coquelin and Nemanja Matic would get my picks but a creative midfielder is always a pleasure so I’ll cheat and pick Santi Cazorla and Cesc Fabregas. Cazorla’s season picked up when he was moved deeper into midfield towards the end of 2014 as his ambidextrity helped in beating opponents and exploiting space while Fabregas returned to England with a bang before going on his half season hiatus. That assist against Burnley oozed class.

Michael Famoroti: Eden Hazard. Dangerous from start to finish, decisive on a number of occasions and pivotal to Chelsea’s title win. The blossoming Belgian didn’t actually improve much statistically year on year but he was often the difference between a draw and a win for Chelsea (and slumber and alertness for those watching the games). He showed much greater maturity and stood out from the rest of the league. A deserved winner of the FA Player of the Year award.

Somto Mbah: Eden Hazard came of age in the Premier League this season. He always picked the right time to start off on a dazzling run, and the right time to defer to his teammates by simply passing. Also, he tracked back tirelessly to help his team’s defending, all thanks to Jose.

Most importantly, he chipped in with the decisive goals all season long. The penalty against Arsenal after another one of his mesmerising runs, and the goal against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge, a match which effectively sealed the title spring to mind. He also scored the goal which confirmed Chelsea were champions against Crystal Palace. Chelsea was the best team in the league by far thanks to him, and it’s no surprise he won the PFA and FWA awards at season’s end.

Dami Etomi: Cesc Fabregas. Despite having a relatively quiet second half of the season, Cesc Fabregas was integral to Chelsea’s title winning team. He played in 34 of their 38 games and registered a league high 18 assists. After being deemed surplus to requirements at Barcelona and turned down by Arsene Wenger, Fabregas has been one of the signings of the season. His passing range and passing accuracy is a joy to watch, as is his ability to operate in both the deep lying playmaker role and in the position behind the striker. It still amazes me how Chelsea were able to sign him with no competition.