Hitting the heights: Rooney has been superb for
Manchester United this season
Wayne Rooney has been installed as the overwhelming
favourite to land the PFA player of the year award following the
release of the short-list this lunchtime.
The Manchester United star has enjoyed an
outstanding season, even if it appears his success at club level
will be limited to the Carling Cup.
Rooney does have some competition, although the usual six-man
shortlist has been trimmed to four.
Like Rooney, Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas has been selected for
both the main award, and the young player of the year prize.
Goals galore: Drogba (left) and Tevez have been on
fire this season
Although he has been sidelined for the rest of the
season by injury, Fabregas held together a Gunners' title challenge
that twice seemed to have collapsed before Tottenham almost
certainly snuffed it out.
As champions-elect, Chelsea were bound to have a representative, and
while he might not have hit the heights as consistently as in other
years, Didier Drogba's goals ensured the Stamford Bridge outfit
came through their rocky patch and are now in line to become only
the seventh team to land the domestic double.
Manchester City's emergence as a Premier League
force is also confirmed by the presence of Carlos Tevez, who has
been such a pivotal figure for the Blues since his controversial
summer move from neighbours United.
Midfield maestro: Gunners captain Fabregas
City also have a representative for the young player
prize, although in Joe Hart's case that has only happened following
a successful loan move to Birmingham
.
Aston Villa's James Milner is the fourth name on
that list, testament to his outstanding form for Martin O'Neill's
men, which seems certain to earn him a place in Fabio Capello's
England World Cup squad.