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!