Rooney heads award list
Thursday 7 November 2019 15:54, UK
Wayne Rooney goes up against the cream of Premier League strikers for the Fans' Player of the Month.
Is there any stopping Didier Drogba or Wayne Rooney? You decide
Didier Drogba signed off with a crucial goal in the 2-1 win against Fulham to keep him firmly in the frame for the fans' player of the month award for December.
The African Cup of Nations now beckons for the Chelsea striker who came close to breaking the 20-goal barrier before the turn of the year.
The Ivory Coast star will be a big miss, although Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti insists the Blues have enough in reserve to cope without their main man.
"Didier has scored 19 goals but without him, this year, we've done very well," said the Italian. "We won three games in the Champions League without him. We can do the same in the Premier League."
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney reinforced his claims for the fans' player of the month award with a swashbuckling display in the win against Hull.
The Manchester United striker responded to the error he made for the Hull equaliser with dazzling display of grit, desire and skill.
Sir Alex Ferguson was delighted to see his number one striker back to his best, and said: "Wayne was fantastic on Sunday. That was the Wayne Rooney we know.
"He had a quiet spell for two or three matches but he was explosive at Hull. He was a constant threat. That is the kind of form we are hoping for because when he is playing like that, he is hard to handle."
James Milner
James Milner continues to shine in his new role for Villa as he looks to force his way into the reckoning.
The Villa ace has scored two sensational goals this month against Hull and Sunderland and has been an inspiration in his new role at the heart of the midfield.
The 23-year-old's progress this season he is now considered a 'shoe-in' for Fabio Capello's World Cup squad.
Milner's Aston Villa teammate Brad Friedel said: "James is one of the top three professionals I've ever played with, and that's saying something when he's so young." High praise indeed.
Cesc Fabregas
Cesc Fabregas did that on Sunday with a two-goal salvo for Arsenal against Villa, even though he was only on the pitch for less than half an hour.
Thomas Vermaelen has become the latest player to heap praise on the inspirational Spanish midfielder.
"He is the best midfielder I have played alongside," Vermaelen told his club's website. "He's really smart in his game and in training if you play against him he's really difficult to defend against because I think he has eyes in the back of his head. He sees everything.
"He is a good captain too. He has a lot of qualities in football and I think that's important for a captain. He talks in the dressing room, not too much but just enough."
