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TEAMtalk Soccers: Young Player of Season

Monday 28th May 2012 10:56

Aguero: Scoops his second TEAMtalk Soccers award

Aguero: Scoops his second TEAMtalk Soccers award

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It's week two of our end-of-season TEAMtalk Soccers ceremony, and Matty Briggs steps forward to hand out the Young Player of the Season award.

Several of the Premier League's hottest young talents have come to the fore this season, but two high-profile contenders stood head-and-shoulders above the rest and ran away with the readers' votes. Forget the usual "this was a very closely-fought category" bile - because this pair obliterated the field.

Liverpool full-back Martin Kelly deserves a special mention for a breakthrough season at Anfield in which he was rewarded with an England call. And Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has also been recognised by England, polled plenty of votes but didn't quite make the five-man short-list.

Swansea midfield dynamo Joe Allen also had a brilliant first season in the Premier League and much will be expected from him as the Swans prepare themselves for another tilt in the top flight.

Young Player of the Season by Matty Briggs

5. Victor Moses - Wigan Athletic:

Moses would have made the top three had he hit his end-of-season form from the off, but there is no doubting the 21-year-old finished the campaign as one of the most influential players around.

The Crystal Palace graduate didn't score until December and didn't really get going - much like Wigan - until Easter time, but the dribbling sensation really raised his profile during the relegation run-in and with it his market value.

Quick feet, acceleration and amazing close control are just a few of Moses' attacking attributes and if he can continue his progress next term he is sure to become a player that the league's big guns will all be chasing.

4. James McClean - Sunderland:

McClean was seemingly ignored by Steve Bruce at Sunderland and new boss Martin O'Neill must have thought he had struck gold when he discovered McClean lurking on the sidelines on Wearside.

McClean was one of the driving forces of Sunderland's revival under O'Neill as he rampaged up and down the line.

His strength, stamina and hard work were notable as the Black Cats powered away from the wrong end of the Premier League table.

The powerful wideman, who has been called up to the Republic of Ireland squad, is a full-back's dream because of his defensive cover and huge work-rate.

3. Danny Welbeck - Manchester United:

Big things are expected of Welbeck at the European Championships this summer, especially with his Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney banned for the first two group games.

The pacy frontman has forged a good striking partnership with Rooney at United this season and he potentially could go on to become a real star at Old Trafford.

The former United trainee hit 12 goals in all competitions last season and proved he can play anywhere across the frontline.

Already a firm favourite with the United faithful, Welbeck has the ability to stretch defences and has demonstrated moments of brilliance.

2. Kyle Walker - Tottenham:

Walker won the PFA Young Player of the Year award, but despite polling a huge chunk of the TEAMtalk vote, he came up just short in the more prestigious TEAMtalk honours list.

But that shouldn't detract from what has been a brilliant breakthrough season for Spurs in the top flight, and but for a troublesome toe injury he would have been a shoo-in at right-back for England this summer.

His willingness to raid forward and join the attack is one of his finest features, but his defensive work is also first class and his long-range shooting ability will be sorely missed by England next month.

1. Sergio Aguero - Manchester City:

Aguero, who has already won the Signing of the Season and was runner-up in the Player of the Season category, was the overwhelming readers' choice, and mine too for the Young Player of the Season award.

The Manchester City frontman, the oldest 23-year-old in town or at least that is the common perception amongst football fans up and down the country, has been nothing short of sensational in his first season in English football.

But the very fact that he is perceived as being much older than his 23 years tells you just how much of an impact Aguero has had on the game in Spain, and now after his one season in England.

Forget the 'settling-in period', which even the legendary Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie required, and the price tag he arrived with, Aguero has been a major protagonist in City's title triumph.

Fifteen goals would have been a decent haul for the former Independiente star, but his 30-goal total was a monumental effort and key for Roberto Mancini.

While Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli were causing chaos, forcing Mancini to tear his thinning hair out, Aguero was consistently scoring goals and frightening City's opposition with his pace, power and finishing ability.

His influence and impact for City has been astonishing and he looks like becoming one of the Premier League's all-time greats.

Have we got our order right? Have we missed a player you would have picked? Let us know through the comment facility.

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