With the majority of Premier League sides reaching 19 games, and it being over half-way through January, it feels like an appropriate time to discuss the first half of the season.
I asked four members of the WDSportz staff for their verdict on five different categories.
Jack Bibb – Social Media admin
Reign-el – Writer
Jozef Kostecki – Writer
Grace Otuwehinmi – Writer
Here are their answers.
Player of the season
Jack – Harry Kane
“Kane has taken his game to a whole new level. 12 goals and 11 assist in 18 games speaks for itself, he has been phenomenal.”
Reign-el – Bruno Fernandes
“Without being biased, as a United fan, I believe that award belongs to Bruno Fernandes. His 11 goals and seven assists propelled United to top spot for the first time sine the Sir Alex Ferguson era. Additionally, securing four Premier League player of the season awards, which is a record, and has further enhanced his credentials.”
Jozef – Bruno Fernandes
“A bit of bias here, but there is no denying the Portuguese talisman has been the star of the show for Manchester United, and the league itself. With eighteen goal contributions already, Fernandes looks a shoe in for a spot in the PFA team of the year, for the second year in a row.”
Grace – Bruno Fernandes
“My choice would be Bruno Fernandes, for his 24 goals and assists so far this season. He also made history by winning four EA sports player of the Month in 2020, in February, June, November and December.”
Shock of the season
Jack – Arsenal
“For me, it has to be Arsenal being threatened with relegation for a while. A club of Arsenal’s size and history being in that position was unthinkable at the start of the season. Thankfully they have started to turn it around.”
Reign-el – Aston Villa
“It has to be Aston Villa. Dean Smith won the December PL manager of the month and for good cause. Villa have taken a lot of people by surprise especially with the 7-2 drubbing of Liverpool.”
Jozef – Patrick Bamford
“Last year Teemu Pukki seemed to defy all odds by continuing his goal scoring form when taking the step up from the Championship to the Premier League, this year, Bamford has done even better. Already grabbing ten goals in the league, only six behind his tally from last year. It is clear that Patrick Bamford is Premier League quality through and through.”
Grace – Aston Villa 7-2 Liverpool
“This was before Liverpool’s defensive troubles. They had their strongest back line against Aston Villa, yet still the Champions of England conceded seven against a team who were very fortunate to stay up last season.”
Biggest disappointment
Jack – Timo Werner and Kai Havertz
“Despite their young age I expected the pair, especially Werner to tear the league up. Especially with their previous Bundesliga form and the price that Chelsea paid for them both.”
Reign-el – Kai Havertz
“I don’t think I’ll be alone with this choice. Kai Havertz has not lived up to the billing after moving to Stamford Bridge for a hefty fee. With defender Kurt Zouma having more goal involvements than the German midfielder, you probably get my point.”
Jozef – Sheffield United
“This time last year Chris Wilder’s men sat eighth, only seven points from the top four. Now, one year and a severe case of second season syndrome later, they sit dead last with just five points to their name. A monumental fall from grace for the Yorkshire club.”
Grace – VAR
“Probably VAR not intervening with that horrific Jordan Pickford challenge on Van Dijk during the Merseyside derby.”
Moment of the season
Jack – Marcus Rashford’s off-field achievements
“His charity work and campaigning is outstanding and sometimes some things are more important than football.”
Reign-el – Aston Villa 7-2 Liverpool
“Liverpool’s 7-2 humiliation at the hands of Aston Villa. It was shocking to see and something that I can’t imagine happening again for a while.”
Jozef – Aston Villa 7-2 Liverpool
“Just four weeks and thirty-seven games in we thought we had seen this years big shock result as Spurs demolished a helpless Manchester United side six-one at Old Trafford. Then just a few hours later we were left reeling as relegation favourites Aston Villa put on a spectacle, playing defending champions Liverpool off the pitch putting seven past them. It was a game that will be remembered forever.”
Grace – Arsenal’s treatment of Ozil
“Arsenal making the decision to distance themselves from Ozil, then Arteta completely leaving him out of the team, only to go on an awful run of form, and desperately need some creativity.”
Predictions for the end of the season
Jack – Manchester City to be champions
“I predict that Pep Guardiola’s men will be champions, beating Manchester United and Liverpool to the title.”
Reign-el – Manchester United to be champions
“United will lift their 21st title, with Manchester City in 2nd place while Liverpool and Spurs round up the top four.”
Jozef – None of the ‘big six’ will change managers
“Football can be a reactionary game, win a few and you’re sky high, lose a couple and your job is on the line. That has been the case for a few of the ‘Big Six’ gaffers, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Frank Lampard and Mikel Arteta have all had their tenures questioned, and Pep had a rather shaky start to the season. However I expect come the first ball being kicked to start off next year it will be these same familiar faces at the helm.”
Grace – Manchester City to be champions
“1st Manchester City
2nd Manchester United
3rd Liverpool
4th Leicester City”
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