Rumour Mill - Israeli Exchange at Eastlands?

With the European Championships and more specifically England dominating the back pages, you have to dig a little deeper for transfer rumours this Summer.  Some City fans have suggesting that we have been strangely quiet in the transfer market this year, but I am not so sure that is the case.  It is only June, and during tournament Summers, the majority of business is normally done in July.  That also ignores the fact that had things panned out differently we could already have made one significant signing in Eden Hazard.  On top of that, it is highly likely that we have an offer on the table for Robin Van Persie, and with the Netherlands massively under-performing the player could be making a decision on his future earlier than many expected.


So that is at least 2 deals that we have been involved in, and today we could possibly add a third.  It looks as if it could be one in, one out with regards to Israeli players this Summer, it was announced towards the end of last month that former Barcelona midfielder Gai Assulin would not see his contract at City extended and he was let go.  The 21 year old came to City after being released by the Catalan club 2 years ago, his career in Spain was marred by a string of injuries and when he was returning to fitness towards the end of his first campaign at City he picked up another serious injury playing for the reserves and he has never recovered from that.  A regular starter for the reserves, he has not been near the first team in a League Cup game, let alone the Premier League.  He did spend the end of the year on loan at Brighton and appeared in 7 games, whether they choose to swoop for the tricky winger on a permanent basis remains to be seen.

So whilst Assulin has seen his time at City come to an end it now appears he could be replaced by a compatriot, and that man is 20 year old Nir Biton.  Now that name might seem familiar to some of you, and that would be because the Daily Mail claimed a deal had been done in January, well that was just yet another story they got wrong.  Parts of it were true, he did spend a week on trial with the club, and he trained with the first team at Carrington, however despite murmurings in the press and supposedly impressing the clubs coaching team, he returned to Israel where he plays for MS Ashdod.


The 20 year old made his debut for his club in 2009 when he was 17, and he soon established himself to be one of the brightest talents in Israel, his success for his club has also seen him capped at international level making his debut for the national team in 2010.  At 6'5 it could be easy to assume that his game purely revolves around his physical prowess, but that would be doing the youngster a disservice.  If you are active on twitter, you will be aware of @Doug_mcfc, and how he is a regular at Carrington watching training sessions.  So he is in a good position to comment on the players ability and attributes.  During a couple of training games he commented on the players awareness, touch a good eye for goal, and went on to tell me that he believes the player can definitely have a future in England, maybe not at City, but somewhere in the top flight.

My only concerns revolve around the players age, not that he is too old, but at 20, I don't believe that is a player you would be signing as being 'one for the future', in recent years, players are breaking through at 16/17, so 20 is a relatively 'grown up' age for a Premier League player, so should this deal come off he should be expected to be taking part in first team activities.  If it is going to take him 2 to 3 years to be ready then I don't really see the point in bringing him in, at his age he has to be ready to make an instant impression on the squad.


It is again the Daily Mail that are claiming this deal is close to completion, no price is quoted but back in January the asking price was thought to be around £2million and I can't see it being much more than that now.  Of course the other issues are the work permit and national service, but again in January the players agent released a statement saying neither would be an issue because of the players 'exceptional potential'.

So really it could be a pretty exciting piece of business, other Premier League clubs were seemingly interested but it would appear that we have won out.  So maybe the transfer dealings are about to begin, who is going to be next? Gareth Bale maybe?  Watch this space...

Rumour Mill: Round Up Of Friday's Press Rubb....Stories

A fair few bits and bobs in the papers today, some of which are worth the time of day, some of which aren't even worth being wrapped around your sausage and chips.  Picking the wheat from the chaff isn't overly difficult in a few of these cases, but lets get on with it.


First up is the ongoing Nigel De Jong saga, Italian sporting website Tuttomercatoweb have tested my language skills (google translator) this morning and are reporting that Liverpool are keen to move for the Dutch destroyer.  In recent months the midfielder has started to get back to where he was last season, but he is still not one of the first names on the teamsheet as he has been in times gone by.  He still offers plenty, but whether he is content to remain a squad player is unclear, and on top of that the issues with his contract still persist.  De Jong has one year remaining on his current deal, an offer was on the table last Summer that was turned down, and it appears that an improved one is not forthcoming.  The Italian sports site reckons that King Kenny (or whoever makes the transfer decisions since the departure of Comolli)  would be prepared to offer around £15million, which to be honest would not be a bad deal considering he could theoretically leave for nothing next Summer.

Personally I would like to see him stay, he is a real fan favourite and has shown total commitment to the cause even during his contract troubles, I am sure a middle ground could be found to tie him down.  As for the Liverpool side of things, whilst De Jong is a top player in that position, it is one area that they already have quality, although he has been out all year Lucas does a very similar job and is an extremely good player so whether anything comes of their supposed interest remains to be seen.


De Jong is actually an important part of the next story as well, although this time he isn't the star! Step forward chimp like Tottenham flying machine Gareth Bale.  This one is splashed across the back page of The Mirror and surely that should tell you all you need to know about its credibility.  As I write this piece, the following quotes are spreading like wildfire on twitter:

"Gareth Bale is a fantastic player. But I don't think he will leave a big team like Tottenham,".

Make of that what you will, is Roberto trying to out 'Redknapp' Harry? The fact is that Gareth Bale probably will leave Spurs (one of many) should they miss out on Champions League football, and I would certainly have him at City....but not for the figures suggested in todays Mirror.  The paper reckon we are going to offer the ridiculous figure of £40million....plus Emmanuel Adebayor.....and Adam Johnson.....oh and Nigel De Jong as well.  To be quite honest if we did make that offer, Spurs would be absolute fools to not take it, but to offer that sum of money and then potentially 3 players worth about another 40? No chance!

Now to throw in a quick one before the main event!  Back to our Italian friends Tuttomercatoweb, and the future of Brazilian 'fullback' Dani Alves.  To keep to the point, he won't be joining City this Summer or any time soon.  He has been linked to us numerous times over the past few years, particularly during his protracted contract negotiations with Barcelona, but it is now reported that he wishes to stay in the Catalan capital for a while longer.


I can't see I am overly disappointed personally, we already have one fullback who struggles with the defensive side of his game (Kolarov) and I am not quite sure we need another, besides, with the marauding Micah Richards and the warrior-like Pablo Zabaleta I really don't see that area of the field as one that needs strengthening in the slightest.


Now for the big one...Eden Hazard!  It has been a very eventful few days for the Belgian, and there could now be the biggest indication as to where his future lies, well, at least geographically.  According to the rumour mongering French newspaper L'Equipe the wingers next move will definitely be to England, counting out the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona, and more precisely, it will be to Manchester...which club though is still unknown.


Allegedly he was at the derby on Monday and more intriguingly there are claims that his people were entertained by the City delegation at the recent Wolves game.  These 2 events have led some in the media to suggest that we are in pole position for his signature, but I doubt it will be as straight forward as that as the United hierarchy are though to be extremely keen on securing him themselves.  Mancini and Vieira have flown to France on a couple of occasions to watch the 21 year old and both are said to have been extremely impressed.  

The decision for the player is relatively simple, he knows should he join City he will be part of a squad, but he will also earn more money and arguably be challenging for more honours, where as at United he is guaranteed to be a starter week in and week out.  The other advantage that we posses is the posse of French speakers we have, as well as the presence of his national captain Vincent Kompany.  Personally I expect the Hazard saga to run and run, but I would be very surprised if he ended up anywhere but Manchester, and if I had to pick, i'd say I can see him holding up the blue shirt in the near future.

After Walcott, Bale and Oxlade-Chamberlain, Southampton are aiming to create a new golden generation for England

By NICK HARRIS

Barcelona's contribution to the fortunes of Spanish football could be replicated with the England team of the future thanks to a remarkable project launched, not by one of the Premier League big boys, but by a club whose recent history has been beset by financial problems and a battle to survive. 

Southampton’s academy, tucked away on the South Coast but with an ethos modelled on Barcelona’s famous set-up at La Masia, has already provided home-grown talent now worth £100 million-plus to Premier League clubs, including Englishmen Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Wales star Gareth Bale. 

Les Reed, the club’s head of football development, insists it is only the start. 

No accident: Oxlade-Chamberlain

‘Alex was not an accident,’ says Reed of a player sold at 17 to Arsenal for £12 million this summer. ‘Maybe at the next stage of our academy’s development we’ll have two Oxlade-Chamberlains in a single year, and then three.’ 

Reed, along with Saints’ Swiss chairman Nicola Cortese, and academy manager Matt Crocker, is a key figure in an upgrade of the academy that will bring it in line with Europe’s best. 

‘The model is Barcelona, who have home-grown players and success,’ he says. 

Crocker adds: ‘The club has always had a philosophy of giving youth a chance and raising its own talent, from Mick Channon to Danny and Rod Wallace, Matt Le Tissier and Alan Shearer. What we’re doing now is continuing those traditions at even higher levels.’

Southampton were among the first clubs to adopt an academy system at the end of the 1990s, when they still were a Premier League club. Relegation in 2005 and the resulting steep drop in income made it more important than ever to keep the home-reared talent flowing. 

The sales of Walcott and Bale to Arsenal and Tottenham helped to keep the club afloat and, after near-extinction in the summer of 2009, it was clear to Cortese and Southampton’s saviour-benefactor, the late Swiss billionaire, Markus Liebherr, that player development should successful,’ says Reed. 

Southampton’s revival from a club who just two years ago were languishing in League One after administration has been swift and strong, and it is hoped that future success will come with more of the home-grown stars for which Saints have become known. 

Oxlade-Chamberlain joined the club at the age of seven in 2000 and was there until August, when he signed for Arsenal a few days before his 18th birthday, for a £12m fee fame remain at the core of the club’s vision. 

Since Liebherr’s death aged 62 in August last year, Cortese has been driven by the desire for Southampton to become a self-sustaining top-flight club, with all areas of the academy expanded and strengthened to realise that vision. 

Saviour: Markus Liebherr (right), pictured with former Soouthampton boss Alan Pardew in 2009

The cost of running it, around £2.3m a year, is seen not as speculating to accumulate but as economically prudent. Saints have already made returns of several times their outlay over the past decade and in the future they want to keep players of the calibre of Bale, Walcott and Chamberlain — not see them go for big money to other teams.

So there is a buzz among Saints fans as they take the Championship by storm, with Nigel Adkins’s side five points clear and entertaining large crowds, while insiders are just as excited about the future. 

‘Aiming to match Barcelona is a big ambition but you need to strive for that to be successful,’ says Reed. Southampton’s revival from a club who just two years ago were languishing in League One after administration has been swift and strong, and it is hoped that future success will come with more of the home-grown stars for which Saints have become known. 

Saintlets: Academy youngsters dream of following in the footsteps of stars who have made the big time. But the club hope to retain their best young talent in the future

Oxlade-Chamberlain joined the club at the age of seven in 2000 and was there until August, when he signed for Arsenal a few days before his 18th birthday, for a £12m fee that will rise to £15m. He has already scored for Arsenal in the Champions League and netted his first England hat-trick — for the Under- 21s — against Iceland last month. 

Walcott is another who took the Saints-Arsenal route, nurtured from 11 by Southampton until his big-money move at 16 in 2006. Walcott and Chamberlain are both expected to be key England players of the future, while Welshman Bale is now his country’s brightest star. 

Bale was spotted by Southampton at nine and attended their satellite academy in Bath before signing up, making his first-team debut in 2006, and moving to Tottenham in 2007. 

Other Saints academy alumni include Manchester City’s Wayne Bridge, Newcastle’s Leon Best, Fulham’s Chris Baird and Norwich City’s Andrew Surnam.

Career opportunity Theo Walcott moved from Southampton to Arsenal in 2006

The home-grown star of Southampton’s current team is Adam Lallana, an England Under-21 midfielder who has been with Saints since he was 12. 

All these players were produced by the academy as it stands today, with temporary buildings at the heart of a 10-acre site in the village of Marchwood on the outskirts of the city. But work begins within days on a vast and impressive new academy complex, complete with school-rooms, medical centre, swimming pool, state-of-the-art gym, video labs, restaurant and office suites for the youth recruitment department, coaching staff and support personnel.

‘We’ve got an ambition to be not just a Premier League club but a competitive Premier League club,’ says Reed. ‘If we want half our team to come from the academy, which we do, the recruitment needs to be the best, and the development plan for each individual needs to be excellent, as do the facilities, the sports science and the technical quality of the coaching.’

Superstar: Gareth Bale lit up the Champions League last season

Reed, 58, is a coaching veteran, best known for his short spell as Charlton manager in 2006. But he has spent much of his working life innovating behind the scenes, working as FA technical director, as an assistant to Sir Bobby Robson, Alan Curbishley and Kevin Keegan, and alongside Howard Wilkinson in trying to develop ways to improve young English players. 

His research has taken him from drama schools to the Royal Ballet, from the Yehudi Menuhin music school to Nick Bollettieri’s tennis academy in Florida and elite football centres across Germany — academies that have contributed greatly to that country’s international renaissance. 

‘The philosophy of player-development at Bayern Munich,’ says Reed, ‘is “two each year for the first team, two for the league, and two for the rest of German football”. And you find similar aims across the top Bundesliga clubs.’

Reed was initially invited to Southampton as a consultant in late 2009 but is now a Southampton director, and his excitement at the future is obvious. The Saints academy has 104 students aged between nine and 16, plus 22 apprentices between 16 and 18. 

‘We believe we have the equivalent of Manchester United’s Scholes, Beckham and Co already within our system,’ he says. Southampton’s ‘golden’ generation of 16- and 17-year-olds includes James Ward-Prowse, a creative midfielder who made his first-team debut last month, and Luke Shaw, an England Under-17 attacking full back.

Then there are striker Jake Sinclair and Harrison Reed, known as Saints’ ‘young Scholes’ for more reasons than his red hair. Harrison’s father, Dave, says: ‘Saints have academy coaches who have worked with Scholes and they make comparisons with Harrison’s discipline and dedication and his tenacity in that central midfield role. They’ve got high hopes for him. 

‘He’s been at Saints since he was eight. He effectively left home for the club at 15 and lived with a family nearby. That was a wrench for us but it’s a fantastic club and his all-round education has been brilliant.’

Put through their paces: Southampton academy students train

Southampton employ six teachers on site. With class sizes as small as five or six, academic results are often better than predicted at their regular schools.

Julian Woods, whose 12-year-old son, Henry, has been attached to Southampton since the age of six, says: ‘They’ve always looked after him. In February he broke his kneecap but the care has been tremendous. I know he’s happy here.’

Southampton fans may be enjoying the moment. But behind the scenes, the future is dreamier still.

PFA Awards - Results

Earlier last week we highlighted the nominees in each of the Professional Football Associations player of the year categories.

The PFA has subsequently voted and at the award show last Sunday, Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere won the PFA Young Player of the Year award, while somewhat surprisingly Tottenham’s Gareth Bale won the PFA Player of the Year, ahead of my favourite Nemanja Vidic.

The PFA also voted for their team of the year, and it consisted of the following:

Edwin Van Der Sar – Goalkeeper - Manchester United – 40 years old

Bacary Sagna – Right Back - Arsenal – 28 years old
Vincent Kompany – Central Defender - Manchester City – 25 years old
Nemanja Vidic – Central Defender - Manchester United – 29 years old
Ashley Cole – Left Back - Chelsea – 30 years old

Gareth Bale – Left Midfielder – Tottenham Hotspur – 21 years old
Jack Wilshere – Centre Midfield - Arsenal – 19 years old
Nani – Winger - Manchester United – 24 years old
Samir Nasri – Attacking Midfield - Arsenal – 23 years old

Wayne Rooney – Forward - Manchester United – 25 years old
Carlos Tevez – Striker - Manchester City – 27 years old

Finally the Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year 2011 award went to West Ham’s Scott Parker. If ever a player has inspired and carried a team as much as this man, then I would like to meet him. West Ham are in the midst of a relegation battle, and as of today, sit 19th in the league on 32 points.

Unfortunately for the Hammers, they are favourites to go down, as the remaining fixtures do not make for good reading. They face two tough away trips to Chelsea and Man City, and matches against fellow relegation candidates Blackburn, Wigan and Sunderland. West Ham may not be in the Premiership next season, but it’s likely that Scott Parker will be, as with this award, his hypothetical football stock has gone up.

Real Talk Football

PFA Awards - Part 2

PFA Young Player of the Year

As stated, the Professional Football Association announced their nominees for the Barclays Premier League awards for both Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year.

Real Talk Football takes a look at the nominees in each category, concluding with the Young Player of the Year award.

Here are the players who have been nominated for the award, along with Samir Nasri and Gareth Bale.


Seamus Coleman (Everton)

Age: 22
League Apps: 28 League Goals: 4

The young Irishman has been superb for Everton this season, operating in a more advance position down the Toffee’s right hand side, playing right midfield instead of his normally playing right back.

He spent the latter part of last season, impressing with Blackpool, and was instrumental in their promotion campaign. This season, he has come on leaps and bounds, and has been one of the best and most consistent players performing under David Moyes, in an Everton side which has been crippled by injuries this season.

This Premier League campaign, Coleman has received his first International cap for the Republic of Ireland, he scored his first ever goal (against former side Blackpool), and signed a new four and a half year contract with the club due to his fantastic form this season.


Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)

Age: 19
League Apps: 27 (3) League Goals: 1

The Arsenal midfielder, in my opinion has been the best young central midfielder in the Premiership and in Europe this season. The 19 year old spent six months on loan at Bolton last season, and gained some vital Premiership experience.

This year, despite interest from many Premier League clubs keen to take Wilshere on loan, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger felt he was more than ready to be a part of the Arsenal squad. How he was right.
Wilshere probably wouldn’t have expected to be as vital to the Arsenal starting XI as he is now, but injuries to Abou Diaby, Alex Song, Cesc Fabregas and the continued absence of Aaron Ramsey saw him play in 30 Premiership games, and scoring a solitary goal against Aston Villa.

He also made his England international debut, and impressed in the international friendlies against Denmark and Ghana, and is now considered a senior England international.

If you’re looking for justification to why he has been so impressive, watch both legs of the Arsenal v. Barcelona Champions League tie and see how well the England international played.


Joe Hart (Manchester City)

Age: 23
League Apps: 31 League Clean Sheets: 14

At the start of this season, there was a much heated debate to who would occupy Manchester City’s goal this season. It was up to Roberto Mancini to decide whether to select England international Joe Hart, who had had a sensational season with Birmingham City last year, or to go with one of the best goalkeepers to play in the Premier League; Shay Given.

The Italian was impressed with the ability, confidence and tenacity of the 23 year old. He has started every single Premiership game this season, and is the only Man City player to do so. He has kept 14 clean sheets this season, giving his team the most in the Premier League.


Javier Hernandez (Manchester United)

Age: 22
League Apps: 22 (12) League Goals: 11

The Mexican has been a revelation at Old Trafford this season, and it’s clear that Sir Alex Ferguson has uncovered another jewel. He has the movement of Filippo Inzaghi, and the goal scoring instincts of Raul, with the tendency to score vital goals from the bench similar to that of another Manchester United legend; Ole Gunnar Soljskaer. Testament to this is that all his goals have come inside the penalty box.


Nani (Manchester United)

Age: 24
League Apps: 27 (2) League Goals: 9

A player blessed with fantastic ability, with speed, flair and great technique. The Portuguese winger has had a very good season this year, and has produced some of his finest football. He recently stated that Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson doesn’t let him express himself as he wishes, and I believe this is why he has been so important this season.

The key reason for his nomination, the fact he is leading the Premier League table in assists, with 16 in total, 5 clear of nearest rival Andrei Arshavin. His assist have been vital in helping Manchester United leading the goal scoring charts with 68 goals, averaging 2.19 goals per game.


So that concludes our look at PFA Awards, remember to leave a comment below and let us know who you think will win in each category. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and add us on Facebook.

Real Talk Football

PFA Awards - Part 1

Early today, the Professional Football Association announced their nominees for the Barclays Premier League awards for both Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year.

Real Talk Football takes a look at the nominees in each category, starting with the Player of the Year award.

Players nominated for both awards

Two players have been nominated in both categories, both of which ply their trade in North London. Arsenal’s Samir Nasri and Tottenham’s Gareth Bale.

All stats and information is correct as of the 8th March 2011.


Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur)

Age: 21
League Apps: 25 (1) League Goals: 7 goals

The Welshman has continued his development from last year, and impressed both domestically and internationally. Bale has played in 26 matches this season, and has scored a career best of 7 goals.

He has been in captivating form this season and made the Tottenham left midfield berth his own. Some notable performances this season include the 2-3 fight back win over rivals Arsenal, the two decisive winners in the 2-1 win against Stoke, as well as a hat trick against Inter Milan in a 4-3 defeat in the San Siro.

Injuries saw him miss six weeks of the Premier League campaign, while speculation regarding his future have seen his performances tail-off towards the business end of the season.


Samir Nasri (Arsenal)

Age: 23
League Apps: 24 (2) League Goals: 9

The Frenchman has had a breakthrough year at Arsenal, and internationally with France as well. He has a career record total of 9 goals, and was named France captain despite being left out of the World Cup squad.

Nasri has scored an array of goals displaying fantastic acceleration and technical ability, along with a wonderful goal against rivals Spurs, against Manchester City, and both goals in the 2-1 win over Fulham.

After much criticism for Arsenal midfielders not scoring enough goals, he has finally added this dimension to his game. Nasri, similar to Bale is another who’s performances have tailed off towards the latter stages of the season, and his anonymity in the Carling Cup final was something which disappointment many, as that was seen as a great opportunity for Nasri to showcase his ability.

PFA Player of the Year



Charlie Adam (Blackpool)

Age: 25
League Apps: 28 (1) League Goals: 9

For a player from a promoted team to be nominated for the Player of the Year Award, it is testament to how impressive both Ian Holloway and his Blackpool side have performed this season.

Charlie Adam has the same amount of goals as fellow nominee Samir Nasri this season, chipping in with vitals goals in the 2-1 win over Liverpool, 3-1 win over Tottenham and two key goals (including a sensational free-kick) in a 2-2 draw against relegation rivals Blackburn Rovers. He also has six assists to his name this season.

The only blight on his maturing career with The Seasider’s, is the persistent transfer rumours linking him with a move away to Liverpool. Adam handed in a transfer request during the January transfer window, but Blackpool rejected the request.


Scott Parker (West Ham United)

Age: 31
League Apps: 29 League Goals: 5

Captain Marvell. One of the most influential and hard working players in the Premiership, has finally received the well deserved plaudits, and has subsequently found himself back in the England squad.

With West Ham in the midst of a relegation battle, no one is writing off the Hammers chances of staying up, and that’s because of players like Scott Parker. A demonstration of his courage was playing in the 0-0 draw against Tottenham, just a few hours after his father passed away.

Finally, striker Carlton Cole led the plaudits back in February after a rousing half-time team talk which inspired the Hammers to come from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 with West Brom.


Carlos Tevez (Manchester City)

Age: 27
League Apps: 27 League Goals: 19

The controversial Argentinean has been one of the top strikers in the Premiership, and is just 4 goals away from equalling his tally from last season. He scored the winning goal in the 1-0 win over title rivals Chelsea, as well as a hat trick against West Brom and four doubles this season (against Liverpool, Blackpool, Newcastle and Wolves).

Manchester City currently sit third in the league, and Tevez continues to outshine other big money signings Mario Balotelli and Eden Dzeko, and lead Manchester City to their first UEFA Champions League campaign.


Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United)

Age: 29
League Apps: 29 League Goals: 4

The Manchester United captain has been the stand out performer for the Red Devils this season, and has received the plaudits for holding together a depleted back four. His no nonsense style is highly impressive, while his strong tackling and physical ability has been as impressive as ever, and is rightly regarded as one of the best defenders in the world.

He has however, had a few shaky performances this season, and Manchester United have only the fourth best defensive record in the Premiership, which means Vidic should be considered a dark horse for the award.


Rafael van der Vaart (Tottenham Hotspur)

Age: 28
League Apps: 21 League Goals: 10

Signing of the season? Without a doubt. The Dutchman transfered from Real Madrid for a snippet (in terms of today’s transfer market) at just £8 million. He has featured in 21 games this season, and scored 10 goals. He is the highest scoring midfielder of all nominees.

He scored a brace in the 2-1 win of Aston Villa, important goals in draws with Everton and Sunderland as well as the all important leveller against Arsenal, which Tottenham went on to win 3-2.

These are the nominee's for the PFA Player of the Year awards, leave a comment below and let us know who you think will receive the award.

Part 2 featuring the Young Player of the Year nominee's will be up tomorrow.

Real Talk Football

Gareth Bale is fast, but he is still not the fastest in Premier League!! Guess who??

Sunsport boffins have analysed slo-mo footage of Gareth Bale's blistering run to set up Roman Pavlyuchenko for Spurs' third goal and discovered that he ran the 37 yards in just 3.5seconds.

But he is not the fastest player in the Premier League. Here's SunSport's guide to the top-flight's top 10 speedsters...

1. Walcott 22.72mph

2. Drogba 22.27

2. Torres 22.27

4. Anelka 22.05

4. Fabregas 22.05

6. A Cole 22.05

7. Clichy 21.82

7. Rooney 21.82

9. Bale 21.62

10. Gerrard 21.60

(Top speed achieved on any run in Premier League in 2009)