Why City's Given is the strong outsider to pip Drogba and Fabregas for Player Of The Year

By Mark Lawrenson

Published 21:58 22/01/10

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Three nominees stand out for the Player of the Year so far.

Cesc Fabregas, Shay Given and Nicolas Anelka. They are all having brilliant seasons for their respective clubs Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea.

Fabregas is just 22 and yet is showing maturity beyond his years and terrific performances.

He looks as if he is a different player this season, enjoying a new free role in midfield, giving him licence to get forward more and, as a result, he has scored 14 goals. Astonishing.

Fabregas more than most has really made more impact as an individual for his team than most other players could ever hope to.

Fabregas is such a positive influence, has come of age and really looks as if he is enjoying his football.

Can Arsenal win the league? It’s going to be tough with so many injuries. Arsene Wenger will have analysed everything as to what’s happening or going wrong and looked at training as well.

It is probably down to bad luck and so many games. Arsenal have a smaller squad, their players tend to be smaller and more skilful, more susceptible to injury.

But more importantly, Arsenal have a run of four games coming up in the Premier League - Aston Villa, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea - which will provide us with a real barometer of their potential.

We’ll know after then whether they can do it. If they can get through these next four games and still be in touch then anything’s possible. And anything is definitely possible with Fabregas in the team at the moment.

Nicolas Anelka is also Chelsea’s main man this season, he’s revelling in life under Carlo Ancelotti.

Anelka seems to have forgotten his demons, Ancelotti has got him playing with a smile on his face and the Frenchman appears to be accepting playing alongside Didier Drogba as a positive thing.

Again, Anelka has had a huge influence on Chelsea’s season and their push for the title.

Finally, Given is enjoying a great season. When we talk about Cesc Fabregas and Arsenal, how Arsene Wenger and a few other managers must kick themselves for not signing arguably the best keeper in Europe for a relative snip. £6m? Bargain.

Given often looks smaller on TV than he actually is and that - I can only think it’s that reason - has put off managers in the past.

But, trust me, Given is bigger in the flesh than he seems on the TV. He is an imposing figure but, more importantly, commands his penalty box and makes world class saves.

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