It’s funny how there are cycles within a football season. This campaign started with both Manchester clubs seemingly running away with the title, even only after a handful of games. Then United went through something of a sticky patch and the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham gained ground. Now as we head into the New Year, despite a shock defeat to Blackburn, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side are level on points with City and a healthy six clear of the chasing pack as it looks a two-horse race once more. Inevitably perceptions will change again over the remainder of the season.
As for this month’s award, there are plenty of viable candidates as per usual. These include some strikers at the bottom half of the table, particularly Steven Fletcher and Yakubu, whose goals have significantly helped their respective struggling clubs. Without their contribution, one has to wonder exactly where they’d be, and whether Mick McCarthy and Steve Kean would still be in a job. Elsewhere, Chris Brunt has been instrumental to West Brom’s steady recovery whilst at Swansea, Leon Britton’s seasonal pass completion rate of 94.1%, the highest in the league, is enough to put him in contention, alongside Fulham’s Bryan Ruiz and Clint Dempsey and Everton’s unsung hero, Leon Osman.
At the top end, Manchester City owe a lot to the imperious Vincent Kompany, whose outstanding performances have helped contribute to three December clean sheets for Roberto Mancini’s side. However, this month’s winner resides across the city: Manchester United’s forgotten man, Antonio Valencia.
Following the high-profile arrival of, and blistering start made by Ashley Young, Valencia was somewhat relegated to a squad player rather than the fundamental cog he had been in previous seasons. The Ecuadorian is pretty much your ideal winger with pace, power and exceptional delivery. This was epitomised by his stats this month: an incredible seven assists during December in addition to a well-taken goal against former employers, Wigan.
This is made even more impressive by the fact he has often been deployed as a full back as injuries have taken their toll on the Champions’ squad. With the industrious Park Ji-Sung in front of him in recent weeks, Valencia has been given the license to bomb forward and, evidently, supply his teammates with the ammunition to score.
After a horrific leg break at the beginning of the previous campaign, Valencia’s career could have completely fizzled out; as so many on the receiving end of similar injuries have discovered. It is a testament to his determination and that heavily clichéd mental strength that he has thrust himself back into the manager’s plans and has become a vital contributor to his side’s resurgence. At just 26 years of age, there is scope for further improvement in the future, making him an invaluable asset to United’s arsenal. If they are to retain their crown as Premier League champions, you can be sure Valencia will have had a hand in it.
November: Brad Friedel (Tottenham)
October: Danny Graham (Swansea)
September: Leon Best (Newcastle)
August: Anderson (Manchester United)
Written by Tom Pyman for CleanSheetsAllRound.com. Follow me on Twitter for more insightful musings.
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