With Eden Hazard claiming the PFA Player of the Year prize for 2014/15, here’s a look back at some real greats of the Premier League era who were unlucky never to win this prestigious award themselves, including some real surprises…
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1) Frank Lampard
A huge surprise, Frank Lampard is the second highest appearance maker and leading scorer from midfield in the Premier League era, and undoubtedly one of the finest players of his generation. And yet, despite three title wins in his time with Chelsea, the former England star has never taken home the biggest honour for individual players.
2) Yaya Toure
A player who arguably should have pipped Luis Suarez to the award last season, Yaya Toure was a one-man show for Manchester City as they won the Premier League title in style, putting in some memorable midfield displays and scoring an incredible 20 goals from the middle of the park in 35 games, many of which were solo stunners.
3) Didier Drogba
Probably the best striker in Chelsea’s history, Didier Drogba is another great who has somehow never taken home the prize, despite three title wins (about to be four) and two Golden Boot wins.
4) David Beckham
One of the biggest names in world football, even after his retirement, David Beckham is another midfield great of the Premier League era, but was perhaps victim of playing alongside too many other star names in his time at Manchester United.
5) Paul Scholes
Another Manchester United legend, it is hard to believe that Paul Scholes never once won this award in his long career at Old Trafford, where he is still regarded as one of their best ever players.
6) Patrick Vieira
Roy Keane has won it, so why not Patrick Vieira? The former Arsenal captain is another of the finest players ever seen in this country who looks unlucky not to be crowned the best player in the league.
7) Fernando Torres
He may have flopped big time at Chelsea, but many too easily forget quite how good Fernando Torres looked in his time at Liverpool, though he is perhaps the victim of not winning trophies during his time at Anfield.
8) Sergio Aguero
Top scorer in the Premier League this season and a crucial member of Manchester City’s two title-winning squads, Sergio Aguero is undoubtedly one of the finest strikers we’ve seen in the English top flight, but he is yet to be awarded that kind of recognition. One feels it will surely happen sooner or later.
9) Michael Owen
Now remembered for seeing his career fizzle out as a bench-warmer at Manchester United and Stoke City, Michael Owen was still an electrifying forward at his best for Liverpool and it’s hard to believe he never quite did enough to claim the PFA Player of the Year prize.
10) Cesc Fabregas
Perhaps a player who could’ve won it this year, Cesc Fabregas has been another consistently world class midfielder in the Premier League years, but is yet to claim the prize with either Chelsea or Arsenal.