Football: PFA release award nominations

April 11, 2008 The Professional Footballers' Association announced nominees for the Players' Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year on Friday. PFA awards are voted on by the players, for the players, based on their performances over the past season. Last years winner of both awards, Cristiano Ronaldo, is again in contention for the double, as is Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas and Liverpool's Fernando Torres. Both Arsenal and Liverpool have two players up for the main award, while Aston Villa has two nominees for the Young Player Award through Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young.

Players' Player of the Year Award
Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal): Adebayor has scored 25 goals so far this season for Arsenal, 19 of which have come in the Premier League. The striker from Togo has stepped up for Arsenal since the departure of French International Thierry Henry, and is now Arsene Wenger's number one attacker. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United): Last years winner is again on course to lead the league in goals, currently at 27 in the league and 40 overall. The midfielder is also the top scorer in the Champions League with 7 goals in 8 matches. Fernando Torres (Liverpool): After a somewhat slow start to the season, Torres has become Liverpool's lead striker with 21 goals in the league and 29 overall on the season. David James (Portsmouth): The English keeper has been in good form this season for Pompey, helping the team climb to their current position of 6th in the league. James also earned an England call-up this season for two international friendly matches. Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal): The young Spanish midfielder has been in good form this season as a play maker for Arsenal. He has scored 12 goals for the Gunners this term, five of them coming in Arsenal's recently finished Champions League run. Steven Gerrard (Liverpool): The Liverpool captain has had another inspiring season for the Reds with 20 goals, the latest of which earning his team a spot in the Champions League semi-finals.

Young Player of the Year Award
Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa): The 21-year-old Englishman has impressed this season, scoring 8 goals for the Villains and also finding a place in the England Under-21 team. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United): Still only 23, Ronaldo is eligible for the young player award again this season. See above for more stats. Fernando Torres (Liverpool) At 24 years old, Torres is one of Spain's most promising strikers. See above for more stats. Ashley Young (Aston Villa): Though he has only scored 4 goals this season for Villa, the 22-year-old Young has been a play maker and goal creater for the Villains all season. Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal): 20-year-old Fabregas is another sign of Spain's bright future in Football. See above for more stats. Micah Richards (Manchester City): 19-year-old Richards is the only defender up for an award. He hasn't yet found the net for Manchester City this season, but his solid defensive work has helped put the team in contention for an UEFA Cup spot.

Please note all stats and facts are as of April 11, 2007