Who is Paris Saint-Germain’s Player of the Season

Paris Saint-Germain came into the campaign seeking their first league title in nearly two decades, having been denied last season by surprise package Montpellier. Carlo Ancelotti’s side was reinforced by high-profile additions such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva and Ezequiel Lavezzi to help them secure domestic glory and also progress on the European stage. It was the kind of investment that was previously unknown in France.With six games michael kors Outlet of the Ligue 1 campaign remaining, there is little doubt that PSG have reached the domestic pinnacle. Having only been knocked out on the away goals rule by Barcelona in the Champions League, les Parisiens are also establishing themselves as a major force on the European scene.The high-profile signings have been important in the success, but the existing players have also had a major role to play, with Salvatore Sirigu, for example, keeping more clean sheets (20 in Ligue 1) than any other goalkeeper in Europe’s major leagues.Below, in alphabetical order, are Goal.com's three nominees for PSG's louis vuitton Outlet player of the season, based on their club performances in all competitions. ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC | STRIKERCompetitionGamesGoalsAssistsBookedSent offLeague2826871Coupe de France22100Europe93711Others10000Total40311682PSG scored a major coup last season when they claimed the signature of Ibrahimovic from AC Milan. A proven goalscorer, the Swede also brought with him the reputation of being a serial winner. He may be a frustrating presence at times due to his languid style and egocentric nature but there can be little doubt the 31-year-old remains a player of genuine world-class ability. At times he has looked far too good for Le Championnat, in which he has struck nine times more than any other player (Saint-Etienne's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is his closest contender on 17) in notching 26 goals in 28 appearances.Critics may point to a lack of similar production in the Champions michael kors outlet canada League, yet even here Zlatan has been a vital component of PSG’s side. He may not have found the net easily but he has readily laid on goals for others, tallying a competition-high seven assists to the quarter-final stage.BLAISE MATUIDI | MIDFIELDERCompetitionGamesGoalsAssistsBookedSent offLeague314030Coupe de France41000Europe92130Others20000Total467160For a great deal of this season former Saint-Etienne and Troyes midfielder Blaise Matuidi was regarded as an unheralded star of this PSG side, though in recent months he has started to be recognised as one of the outstanding midfielders in Europe.France great Luis Fernandez argued earlier in this campaign that Matuidi is just as important to PSG as Lionel Messi is to Barcelona, and while this may be laced with a touch of hyperbole, there is a strong case to suggest the France international is now an indispensable member of this side.A player with boundless energy, the 26-year-old is key to the destructive side of PSG’s midfield as he tackles hard and makes many interceptions. What he has added to his game this season that has seen him catch the eye to a greater extent is a more dynamic offensive threat, boasting a career-high seven goals, including one against Barcelona, having managed only eight in total in his previous eight seasons.THIAGO SILVA | DEFENDER CompetitionGamesGoalsAssistsBookedSent offLeague190020Coupe de France10000Europe92130Others21000Total313150Billed as the world’s best centre-back when he arrived in Paris last summer from AC Milan, Thiago Silva is a player who has certainly lived up to his €42 million price tag.His season initially started slowly as he was on international duty with the Brazil Olympic side but he has since gone on to become the keystone to the PSG defence and arguably the most important player in their entire side, having taken over the responsibility of the captain’s armband.Against Barcelona in the Champions League he really showed his class, particularly in the first leg at Parc des Princes, where he gave a defensive masterclass. The 28-year-old has, however, performed to a remarkable level all season and is a major reason that they have kept more clean sheets than any other club in an elite European league. He has been a model of consistency and an outstanding asset to this ambitious side.For the latest in its series looking at all of Europe's top clubs, however, Goal.com has narrowed down the candidates for PSG's Player of the Season to just three names. Look them over and leave a comment if you disagree!

Who is Manchester City's Player of the Season

Manchester City have had a decidedly mixed season. The stars of their dramatic Premier League triumph in 2011-12 have not lived up to expectations, with Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure, David Silva and Sergio Aguero failing to consistently replicate the form that toppled Manchester United over the previous campaign.Their Manchester rivals look set to claim the title with plenty of time to spare, thanks in no small part to faltering performances from Roberto Mancini's men. They did not fare much better in Europe either, finishing bottom of their Champions League group and not picking up a single victory.City's summer transfer dealings left a lot to be desired, too. Jack Rodwell, Maicon, Javi michael kors 2013 Outlet Garcia and Scott Sinclair have all struggled to nail down a place in the starting line-up, or even on the bench. Joleon Lescott, meanwhile, has fallen well down Mancini's pecking order.Of course, the season has not been a total write-off. City are staging something of a late-season surge as they aim to capture the FA Cup for the second time in three years.And there have been individual plus points; Kompany, Silva, Toure and Aguero have still contributed in spells, while Kolo Toure has proved a capable stand-in at centre-back and Costel Pantilimon has played every game on the way to a Wembley final against Wigan. The improved Gael Clichy and James Milner are also worthy of a mention, but the three men below have been chosen by Goal.com as Manchester michael kors Outlet City's best players this season. Do you agree? Leave a comment at the bottom to let us know your thoughts. CARLOS TEVEZ | FORWARDCompetitionGamesGoalsAssistsBookedSent offLeague28111230FA Cup55300Capital One Cup10010Europe50000Total39161540 Carlos Tevez has been a divisive figure since moving to England in 2006, and he has certainly been no different at the Etihad Stadium. Last season he was famously sent to the peripheries after refusing to warm up against Bayern Munich, but this year he is back in the City ranks and has been one of their most impressive performers.He directly contributed seven goals in his first four Premier League games, but was subsequently shuffled around the forward line as Mancini tried to identify his preferred set-up. One week he would lead the line in a 4-2-3-1, next he would play behind the central striker in the same formation, then he would partner somebody (Aguero, Mario Balotelli or Edin Dzeko) in a 4-4-2. He would often be moved around mid-game if City moved to a three-man defence.Despite the upheaval and poor performances by players around him, he has still contributed 11 league goals and 12 assists. A steady return considering City's often conflicted approach.He may not be at his most spectacular, but his work-rate, drive and ability on the ball are still there, and as he proved against Wigan, he still has the quality to win a match with a moment of brilliance. MATIJA NASTASIC | DEFENDERCompetitionGamesGoalsAssistsBookedSent offLeague190010FA Cup20000Capital One Cup10000Europe50000Total270010 Nastasic is no stranger to a baptism of fire. In his first start for Fiorentina he came up against AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and after an impressive season in Italy he was snapped up by Manchester City. The Premier League champions' summer transfer dealings were largely disastrous, but the acquisition of Nastasic stands out as a great piece of business.Mancini has no doubts about the ability and nerve of the youngster, and handed the then-19-year-old his City debut against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu. Since then, he has gone on to establish himself as Kompany's first-choice partner in the centre of defence, relegating the experienced duo of Lescott and Toure in the process.Despite his young age he has proved a cornerstone of the City backline, even as Mancini flirted with a three-man defence. He has shown his ability to read the game and bring the ball out of the back on numerous occasions, and has kept many a striker in his back pocket. In a turbulent season at Eastlands, the young Serb has certainly been a bright spot. PABLO ZABALETA | DEFENDER CompetitionGamesGoalsAssistsBookedSent offLeague262260FA Cup51010Capital One Cup00000Europe50010Total363280 The Argentine right-back has proved to be a fan favourite at Manchester City over the years, but has taken his performances to another level this season.Zabaleta, who has been known to watch City's reserve and youth matches with fans, has had to carry the can at right-back this season due to Micah Richards' injury, and has also stood in as captain in Kompany's absence.Not only that, but he has played centre-back and left-back on occasions, and has not looked out of place. He has not been fazed by any of the challenges in front of him and he has driven his side forward from the back. His attacking play has improved significantly and he remains the defensive rock he has always been, and could indeed lay claim to being the best right-back in the louis vuitton Outlet league.

Sir Alex Ferguson Ferdinand has enjoyed his best ever season for Manchester United

Sir Alex Ferguson insists Rio Ferdinand has enjoyed his best ever season for Manchester United, helping the Red Devils claim a record 20th league title.Ferdinand was recently named in the PFA Team of the Year for the first time since 2009, alongside team-mates Robin van Persie, Michael Carrick, and David de Gea. PREMIER LEAGUE LATEST33/1Robin van Persie is 33/1 with BetVictor to win michael kors Outlet the 2014 Fifa Ballon d'Or awardAnd after overcoming several injuries over recent years to start more league games than any of United's other centre-backs this season, Sir Alex believes this has helped him along to his best ever season.The Scot told MUTV: "Rio Ferdinand has had his best season at the club."We have had continual problems with the centre-backs being fit. Nemanja Vidic has missed half a season, Chris Smalling has missed most of the season, michael kors 2013 Outlet Phil Jones missed a good bit and Jonny Evans missed parts but Rio has managed his situation very well."Although we have left him out of certain games because we have managed him the right way, at the most important times he has been there."Despite such praise from his boss, the veteran defender's five-year contract - michael kors canada Outlet signed in 2008 - expires in the summer.Yet Sir Alex sees little issue, with all the signs currently pointing towards Ferdinand staying for at least another year."I don't think there is any reason to think differently," he added. "I hope he will stay and I think he will Louis Vuitton Outlet too."