Photo by Ronnie Macdonald

This season has seen many players turn out match winning performances week-in week-out. As a result, the PFA Player of the Year is harder to call than ever. The young Player of the Year Award may be easier to judge. Only two players stand out: Jack Wilshere and Gareth Bale. Phil Jones and Andy Carroll are also worth a mention. But out of the two leading candidates, I feel Wilshere should claim the accolade.

Whilst everyone in recent times has seen Cesc Fabregas as Arsenal’s midfield maestro and the player that holds the team together, it has been the emergence of the 19-year-old Englishman that you could say has kept Arsenal in the hunt for the Premier League title up ’til now. Whilst Arsenal’s midfield was being dominated by Barcelona in their recent tie, it was Jack Wilshere who was the only player keeping up with them and at times outclassing them. As the season has grown so has the player. He is calm on the ball, and his pinpoint accuracy when passing is at times breathtaking. Some may rightly say more goals are required before he is seen as one of the best in the league but this season his performances have been near perfect.

Bale on the other hand has been untouchable at times, especially the two games against Inter Milan, but isn’t as consistent especially in the Premier League. Some games he has lit up the left hand side but in too many games he has gone missing. Some may say it is down to some niggling injuries he has suffered.

Due to the hype surrounding his name Bale will probably scoop to win the award but I feel this will be unfair to Wilshere as he has been the most consistent and frankly the best young player overall this season.