The shortlist for this year's UEFA European Club
Footballer of the Year awards is dominated by Premier League
players.
Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool all reached the
Champions League semi-finals last season, with United overcoming
Chelsea on penalties in the Moscow-hosted final.
That is reflected in the shortlist, announced on Friday by UEFA,
with 17 players from the 25-strong shortlist currently playing in
England's top flight.
Last year's Champions League top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo,
Liverpool's Fernando Torres and Chelsea's Frank Lampard will all be
leading contenders for the award. Barcelona's Lionel Messi and
Carles Puyol are also in contention.
The coaches of the 16 teams which reached the knock-out stages
of last year's competition will cast their votes next Thursday, at
the Champions League group stage draw in Monaco.
There are also awards for goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and
forward of the year.
The list of nominees, from which the overall winner will be
selected, is:
UEFA club goalkeeper of the year: Manuel Almunia (Arsenal), Petr
Cech (Chelsea), Manuel Neuer (FC Schalke 04), Jose Reina
(Liverpool), Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United).
UEFA club defender of the year: Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Rio
Ferdinand (Manchester United), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), John Terry
(Chelsea), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United).
UEFA club midfielder of the year: Michael Essien (Chelsea), Cesc
Fabregas (Arsenal), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard
(Chelsea), Paul Scholes (Manchester United).
UEFA club forward of the year: Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Lionel
Messi (Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Wayne
Rooney (Manchester United), Fernando Torres (Liverpool).