Championship PFA fans' player of the year top 12: Part One

09 May 2014 13:26

1. Kasper Schmeichel - Leicester City

The son of you know who has truly come to the fore this season as the Foxes secured an early return to the Premier League. After a series of loan spells earlier in his career, and following a year with Notts County and then Leeds, Kasper has become settled at Leicester and played a key role in the club’s promotion campaign – displaying all the reliable traits of the old man.

2. Kieran Trippier - Burnley

A product of the Manchester City academy, and an FA Youth Cup winner as captain in 2008, Kieran has established himself as a Championship defender of some repute – with a place in the Premier League a suitable reward. Voted Burnley’s player of the year in 2012, he was named in the PFA’s team of the year for the second successive season.

3. Aaron Cresswell - Ipswich Town

Often described by Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy as ‘the best left back in the Championship’, his fellow professionals have backed up the view of Aaron’s manager with his nomination in the PFA team of the year. During the 2012-13 season he played in EVERY minute of EVERY game, and has made another huge contribution this term as the Tractor Boys fell just short of a play-off place.

4. Wes Morgan - Leicester City

Having served his hometown club Nottingham Forest with such distinction for ten years, Wes joined Leicester in January 2012 and was named the club’s player of the season at the end of a campaign which ended in play-off disappointment. No such heartache this time around, and Wes’s defensive partnership with Liam Moore has been a key factor behind City’s return to the top flight as worthy champions.

5. Jason Shackell - Burnley

Burnley have arguably been THE surprise package in the Championship this season, but the consistent performances of Shackell has come as no shock to those who have monitored his career from Norwich to Derby before his arrival at Turf Moor in July, 2012. Being named club captain within a month of signing said much about the character of a respected central defender.

6. Danny Drinkwater - Leicester City

‘Drinkwater, for me, is the best midfielder in the division. He can do everything; get into the box, create chances, defend – the quality and ability to do everything you need from a midfielder’ – the words of Brighton boss Oscar Garcia sum up the feelings of many who have followed Championship football in the last year. A former product of the Manchester United academy, Danny has really come of age this season.

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Source: DSG