West Ham's Parker fancied for PFA award
Ask any West Ham fan and they will tell you that Scott Parker has been in fantastic form for close to two years now but it's only over the last few months that his performances for the relegation battlers have earned nationwide recognition as a result of his return to the England team.
The 30-year-old had been called up by Fabio Capello on numerous occasions, including in his initial World Cup squad, however it was only in last month's friendly against Denmark that he made it onto the pitch for his fourth international appearance, performing well enough to retain his place.
A fair few punters clearly believe that the former Charlton and Chelsea midfielder's fantastic season will be acknowledged by his fellow professionals, as odds of [11.5] are offered on him becoming one of the most unexpected winners of the PFA Player of the Year award in history.
The shortlist for the 2010-11 gong will be announced over the next few weeks and both Parker and Charlie Adam ([12.0]) are considered to be in with a chance of surprise success despite each of the last 11 victors playing for a Big Four side and seven of those representing that year's champions.
The current favourite is Gareth Bale at [3.6] to follow Ian Rush, Mark Hughes and Ryan Giggs as the fourth ever Welshman to receive the honour, yet doubts have been raised over his prospects because his most notably displays have come in the Champions League.
In recent years, the player that has received the most press coverage has tended to take the prize though, so Bale's position as market leader is understandable. Joining him near the top are Samir Nasri ([5.9]), Nemanja Vidic ([7.0]), Dimitar Berbatov ([7.2]), Carlos Tevez ([7.4]) and Rafael van der Vaart ([7.6]).
Who deserves the award in this most open of campaigns? Tell us below...
Published: 23 Mar 2011
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