Top 5 Premier League players who can be Ballon d'Or candidates in 2014

Cristiano Ronaldo, to his great delight, walked away with the greatest prize of the night when the Ballon d’Or was awarded to the Portuguese after he secured about 27% of the total votes cast leaving Lionel Messi behind in a close fight. The English Premier League fans weren’t hoping for much joy in that department, but they were in for a rude shock when not even a single player made the World XI. Surely that isn’t a fair reflection of the league and its talent?

Jose Mourinho certainly didn’t think so. The self-designated ‘special one’ asserted that the exclusion of Premier league stars was not indicative of the comparative quality of the league but rather suggests the greater competition that creates a more hostile, competitive environment for professional footballers. The 2013-14 Premier League season stands in obvious support of that statement as the top half of the Premier League remains congested with Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool leading the race even though defending champions Manchester United cannot yet be ruled out of the contest.

However, it can hardly be contested that Spain and Germany (more particularly Bayern Munich) have become desired destinations for the top footballing talent. How does that reflect on the quality of the players in the Premier League? Greater competition entails greater expectations week in and week out. The league does not offer a lot of walkovers and even the last quarter of the table can punch above its weight on its day and in its own backyard.

This has direct consequences for the players who have to maintain high-performance levels, remain mentally focused and physically fit in spite of the packed calendar. The unique Christmas period that English footballing tradition has preserved is testament to the pressure that players and clubs have to undergo. There is also the eternally present argument that the Premier League is more physical, less tolerant towards players ‘who do not have the fight in them’ or as is colloquially said ‘go down easily’.

However, the general multi-layered ‘toughness’ of the Premier League is no excuse for a lack of presence at the Ballon d’Or. It is, after all, an affirmation of those already present fears that top talent has been looking away from England when it comes to their desired ultimate destination: Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Gareth Bale are some prominent examples. 2014 looks like a better bet for the English league as Suarez has smashed the ball rolling and leads the goal scoring charts. Pellegrini’s power-packed Manchester City look like a force to reckon with as indicated by their victory over current European Champions Bayern Munich in the Champions League group stage. Mourinho has returned to Stamford Bridge promising a re-enactment of his original triumphs at the club.

Here is a list of the top five players who can make their presence felt, if not topple the Messi’s and the Ronaldo’s, when it comes to the Ballon d’Or:

5. Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney was written off by many last season and speculation was strong that he might begin a new career away from Old Trafford. Incoming manager David Moyes was not the ideal replacement for Rooney in any sense as the two had shared a troubled relationship, but the English International has proved his worth to the club playing the redeeming saviour at a challenging time for the club. He has participated in more than two-thirds of Manchester United’s goals scoring 9 goals and assisting another 9 in 17 Premier League games so far. But more importantly, he has played with a great deal of elan.

He seems to have matured as a footballer as he looks focused, is a leader on the pitch and seems reconciled with his outlined role as the creative forward for the Red Devils. Another aspect that adds to Rooney’s candidature is the fact that he is a multi-faceted footballer who can create and score goals much in the manner of the Ronaldo’s and the Messi’s. The question is; can he find that dramatic consistency and drive his team to glory from a position of unprecedented trouble?

The odds for him to make his presence felt in 2014 as compared to some players who have starred at the Ballon d’Or event recently are not high by any stretch of imagination. However, United are still alive in the Champions League, Capital One Cup, Premier League, FA Cup and Rooney has lead England in their road to Brazil. Something dramatic, though improbable, cannot be ruled out.

4. Sergio Aguero

Sergio Aguero

The decline of the red half of Manchester post Sir Alex Ferguson has fatefully happened when the blue-half of Manchester has exhibited its intentions of establishing domination in Europe. Manchester City are clear favorites for the title in England and it is not uncommon to hear it being said that they will start as favorites in the Champions League knockout fixture against a Barcelona side that till very recently was Europe’s best. That set of fixtures, also including Bayern Munich versus Arsenal, will give us a clear indication where the Premier League stands vis-a-vis Europe’s best.

The ace in Manchester City’s pocket in these contests will be Messi’s compatriot Sergio Aguero who is staking his claim to be the best striker in the world. Aguero’s strength lies in his predatory skills, his tactical awareness, positioning and a sublime touch to match. He has a magnificent mid-field behind him to provide him ample service and that will allow him to garner those big numbers that have characterized recent winners.

Ronaldo set a rather exaggerated marker this time. Aguero has 13 goals and 4 assists to his name in 15 Premier League appearances whereas he has smashed in 6 goals in 5 Champions League fixtures also assisting another 2 goals. He has a great chance to establish his name as one of the top-top players of the world this calendar year with the Champions League as well through the massive stage that the World Cup is.

3. Eden Hazard

Eden Hazard

Chelsea have been slow on their heels this season and Mourinho’s dream return to Stamford Bridge hasn’t really been as dreamy as he’d have liked. They have scraped through with their results in the first half of the season unlike Manchester City who have been pumping in the goals, but they do seem to have that characteristic solidity at the back that Mourinho brings.

Eden Hazard often provides that spark of magic for Chelsea and the boisterous Belgian has smashed in some stunning strikes with his trusted right foot. His modus operandi is to turn inside from the wing utilizing his speed to unleash ruthlessly powerful shots that threaten to tear the netting.

Belgium has emerged as one of the new powers of international football and have been tipped to make a mark in the upcoming World Cup. Hazard will definitely have a starring role to play in that side. He has scored 9 goals and assisted 5 more in 21 appearances in the Premier League so far.

2. Yaya Toure

Yaya Toure

Toure has been recognized as one of the best players in the game, but this recognition has perhaps come late in a career that has glory written all over it. He was a less celebrated member of an all-winning Barcelona side and moved the other way to England when the dominant migration was to Spain.

He has become the fulcrum of everything nice at the Etihad Stadium and was recognized as the African Footballer of the year and also named in the 23-man shortlist for the Ballon d’Or. He has continued his stunning run of form under new manager Manuel Pellegrini and leads the charge as they try to become a world-conquering side.

Manchester City have all the credentials to achieve what they have set out for: a large talented squad, experienced manager and run-of-form. Toure can achieve the fame that he has been denied by being at the centre of such a side. Ballon d’Or hasn’t been particularly kind to specifically midfield engineers as the goal-scorers seems to take the cake, but Yaya stands out with his stats in this aspect in a free-scoring side.He has already grabbed 10 goals in 20 appearances for City while creating many more as he efficiently knits the defense and forward line.

1. Luis Suarez

Luis Suarez

The mercurial striker has left behind a past of uncertainties to take the limelight in England this season. He missed a significant chunk of the Premier league season due to suspension but came back to unleash a brutal attack scoring 22 goals in 16 appearances along with 5 assists for Liverpool. He is helping Liverpool in their bid to make a Champions League return, and they seem to be well on their way and much of that is down to Suarez’s desire to fill his boots day in and day out.

He doesn’t seem to be satisfied with a goal but puts in a couple everytime he takes the field. He makes the impossible seem frequent, commonplace. Moreover, he is a versatile player who drops back to link with the midfield. He is a predator as well as a creator, he scores with flamboyance from set-pieces and has an incredible tactical and positional awareness that allows him to see what not many see on the football field.

Suarez does not have the advantage of Champions League football to his name, but that will certainly change come the end of this season one way or another. He will have his work cut out with Uruguay at the World Cup too as he tries to stamp his name on the international stage and add to an already glittering international career. No wonder betting agencies worldwide have already settled his odds just behind Ronaldo and Rooney to get to the pinnacle of world football.