EPL 2016/17: 5 players unlucky to miss out on PFA Players' Player of the Year nomination

Modified Apr 14, 2017 15:58 GMT

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 04: Ngolo Kante of Chelsea in action during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on February 4, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) — *N’Golo Kante is the bookies’ favourite to win the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award*

#3 Diego Costa – Chelsea

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 18: Diego Costa of Chelsea celebrates scoring his sides second goal during The Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Chelsea at Molineux on February 18, 2017 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) — *Diego Costa has been one of the key players in Chelsea’s surge to the top this season*

If there was one player who played a significant part in Chelsea winning matches in the first half of the season, then it was Diego Costa. The Spaniard spearheaded Chelsea’s title challenge in 2016 with 14 goals and five assists in 18 league games and looked set to be named the Player of the Year. Costa scored five winners and three equalisers in that period, becoming the most important player for Chelsea.

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However, a training ground bust-up and a mega bid from China seem to have turned his head and injuries have also played a part in his dip in form. He has not scored in the last four league games, which is a first in his Chelsea career and a combination of the above factors could have led to a miss in the awards nomination.

Nevertheless, his terrific performances in the first half of the season, that helped Chelsea build a platform on which the team is marching ahead in 2017, definitely deserved a mention.

Edited by Staff Editor