“Fact Or Fiction” is a series that will be run every Friday. In this series, an assertion will be made regarding an impacting topic in the Premier League. EPL Talk writers Matt Hackenmiller and Earl Reed each offer their views on whether the statement is “Fact or Fiction.”

Fact or Fiction: Juan Mata is now Chelsea’s most important player.

MH: Fact.  There are a few reasons for this.  First, his tempo and pace has caused havoc for opposing backlines.  Chelsea currently has no other player that offers these skills.  Secondly, Mata has provided width to an attack that has run centrally through Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba for so long.  Lastly, and probably most importantly for Chelsea fans, Mata’s creativity has rejuvenated fellow Spaniard, Fernando Torres.  Ever since Mata has joined the club, Torres has looked like he has regained his Athletic Madrid form.  It will be interesting to see how Mata holds up over the course of his first season in England.  But if he continues to find himself in the starting eleven for Chelsea, there could be more hardware heading to Stamford Bridge.

ER: Fiction. At this point, Chelsea has a pretty formidable attack, and it can come from many talented players. In my mind, the one area that can be overlooked is their defending. So for me, I think Petr Cech is as important as any player on their squad. You look at the early fixtures of this season, and the two matches where Cech was injured, there was a lot of unease for Chelsea supporters. Hilario was not particularly effective in matches against West Bromwich and Norwich City, and allowed those two teams to hang around until the latter portions of the match. The offense ended up bailing him out in those matches, but the great thing is that Cech is a stabilizing force who allows the team to be more aggressive, knowing that they have a top-class keeper to hold the fort. While Mata may be a strong catalyst for the attack, Cech’s presence is even more important to Chelsea’s success.

What do you think, is it fact or fiction that Juan Mata is now Chelsea’s most important player?

“Fact Or Fiction” is a series that will be run every Friday. In this series, an assertion will be made regarding an impacting topic in the Premier League. EPL Talk writers Matt Hackenmiller and Earl Reed each offer their views on whether the statement is “Fact or Fiction.”

Fact or Fiction: Wayne Rooney will lead the Premier League in goals scored this season.

MH: Fact. Although Wayne Rooney has been slowed the past few weeks with an injury, he is still the odds on favorite to lead the league in scoring. By the way that Rooney has began the season, the goal-scoring drought of last season seems to be in the rearview mirror. He will continue to be the focus of the Manchester United attack as he remains one of the best players in Europe. Also, some of Rooney’s biggest competition, Carlos Tevez and Didier Drogba, either have personal issues or have fallen out of favor for their perspective clubs. The only other player to match Rooney’s start to the season is Sergio Aguero and he has not been tested over a full season in England. So as long as Rooney can stay relatively healthy, there is a pretty good chance that he will lead the league in scoring.

ER: Fiction. This is a tough one. While Aguero and Dzeko are both in the early running behind Rooney, I’m going to take a long-shot at another Manchester City-owned player: Emmanuel Adebayor. He’s had a tough ride over the last couple of years, with City continually burying him in the depth chart with forward after forward. After a loan stint at Real Madrid last season, I think he’s ready to return to prominence on the Premier League stage on loan with Tottenham. He has 3 goals thus far, and that’s considering he missed a couple of early fixtures before his loan move. He’s starting to bed in with the club, and Spurs have already gotten both City and United out of the way in their first half fixtures. With easier fixture list to close the first half, a club looking to return to the Champions League, and a player who needs to prove he is still a top-class striker, I think Adebayor has a great shot at the Golden Boot.

What do you think, is it fact or fiction that Wayne Rooney will lead the Premier League in goals scored this season?

Ah, it’s that time of the year again and I simply love it. No, not Christmas, but the end of the year lists that all end up being about the same everywhere you look. Seriously, I think every music magazine has awarded album of the year to Kanye West, but that’s a topic for another article. Here we discuss the Premier League and the individual footballers that make it one of the best leagues in the world.

2010 has been quite interesting if you’re a fan of the Premier League. We’ve seen current Champions Chelsea start the season on a flier only to loose out on some key players and suffer once again from the goings on behind the scenes as owner Roman Abramovich and his cronies have their way. Adding parity to the Premier League, all three promoted teams are comfy in mid table or there abouts while once boring Bolton have enjoyed a mini resurgence under current boss Owen Coyle. The end of last season’s title race was a close one with Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney picking up most of the accolades. Chelsea were deserved Champions but Manchester City and Tottenham have emerged as serious title contenders in the last four months.

While familiar faces currently hold the top two spots in the standings, 2010 hasn’t been the kind of year dominated by English football’s ‘big 4′. Liverpool are re-building under Roy Hodgson, Manchester United have been solid without being great, and Arsenal seem to be plagued by the same old problems that have hindered their title credentials for the last few years. Critics will say that the big 4′s lack of dominance has burdened an already top heavy league while proponents will argue just the opposite. Regardless of your stance on the overall theme of this year’s Premier League, there have been some standout performances which we’ll now take a look at in the form of the league’s best starting XI.

Author’s Note: While not an easy feat, the following list has been complied by analyzing performances from the entire 2010 calendar year. If readers fail to see a player on the list they feel was deserved, it’s likely said player had a great few months but was injured, suffered a drop in form, fell to the fact that only one player can occupy each position or simply wasn’t good enough over the course of the last 12 months. As always, feel free to leave comments and suggestions in the space below.

Goalkeeper – Joe Hart, Manchester City- While Chelsea’s Petr Cech has enjoyed his best form since 2007, the league’s best keeper thus far has been the England #1 Hart. Hart started 2010 on loan with Brum then was called back to his parent club Manchester City. He began the season in the kind of super-human form football fans are used to seeing on highlight reels and maybe even in their dreams. Manchester City are chasing the title and with Hart healthy, fit and between the sticks, they’ll feel their shot at the title will increase.

Right Back -Branislav Ivanovic, Chelsea- Having filled in for the injured, first choice right back at Chelsea Jose Bosingwa, Ivanovic slowly claimed the spot as his very own over 2010 yet remains available to fill in in defense wherever needed. A good crosser of the ball when getting forward to support attacks, Ivanovic is a staunch defender and able to score the occasional goal from a set piece when opportunities present themselves.

Central Defender -  Nemanja Vidic, Manchester United – Vidic has arguably been the league’s best defender for a couple of years as well as this calendar year of 2010. Strong, smart and with brilliant defensive positioning, Vidic remains a staple in the heart of United’s back line and should be considered as one of the best defenders in the world.

Central Defender – Vincent Kompany, Manchester City- Although City have been leaky recently, they’re not challenging for the title for nothing. They finished last year in fifth and look to improve upon that this season. Kompany has been a rock solid defender for City through their resurgence up the table.

Left Back – Leighton Baines, Everton- Ashley Cole and Patrice Evra have also had a great 2010, but I grow tired of players the likes of Leighton Baines missing out on recognition. Baines has been one of a few standouts on an Everton side with not much to gloat about in recent weeks. And although one could argue that Baines isn’t asked to do as much as the aforementioned Cole and Evra, he remains as important to his team as Cole and Evra do to theirs. Baines just missed out on joining England at last summer’s World Cup to Aston Villa’s Stephen Warnock but it wasn’t because of form, but more because of the experienced players in front of him. Baines is a solid defender and possesses the attacking abilities that modern day full backs need to enhance the shape of their team moving forward.

Midfield (Right) – Nani, Manchester United- Nani’s stock has risen immensely in 2010 with some great wing play on the right, a number of important goals scored and has shown he possesses the kind of footballing maturity needed to succeed at United. Nani was brilliant in last season’s away victory at Arsenal on 31 January by turning in a man of the match performance and remains one of the league’s most dangerous attackers when on form.

Midfield (Attacking) – Samir Nasri, Arsenal- The brilliant Nasri can play on either flank or in central midfield in an attacking role. Quite possibly the league’s form player so far this season, Nasri has been an instrumental play-maker and attacker as Arsenal chase the Premier League title. Quick, a good link player, a goal scorer and emerging as a leader while Cesc Fabregas continues to struggle with injury, Nasri has excelled as a footballer in 2010.

Midfield (Defensive) – Nigel de Jong, Manchester City- What a year City midfielder Nigel de Jong has had for both club and country. His exploits in South Africa, while at times controversial, earned him a starting spot in the Final v Spain while he remains a staple with club. Strong in the tackle, a good distributor of the ball and a solid defender, de Jong is currently one of the most effective defensive midfielders in the Premier League.

Midfield (Left) – Gareth Bale, Tottenham Hotspur – No one in the world has been as effective on the left side of midfield in world football in 2010 as Bale has been for Spurs. First a left back with attacking abilities and now an out and out attacking winger, Bale’s stock has risen higher than any footballer this year. Bale’s a strong, marauding runner, a brilliant crosser of the ball, dangerous over a free kick and can score goals. His trickery in attack is only matched by his effectiveness when running at defenders while his abilities to defend shouldn’t be overlooked.

Forward – Didier Drogba, Chelsea- Drogba hasn’t been at his best in recent weeks, yet he’s still a top five goal scorer this season and was last season’s highest scorer. Although he’s battled sickness and injury, Drogba remains a threat the moment he steps out onto the pitch and let’s not forget, Chelsea are the title holders largely because of how good Drogba was earlier this year.

Forward – Carlos Tevez, Manchester City- Like Drogba, Tevez is always near the top of the goals scored list while his work rate remains mostly unmatched by any other forward in the Premier League. I’m happy to hear that he’s rescinded his transfer request and will remain at City, at least for the time being. Tevez is one of the league’s best and most exciting players to watch.

Bench: John Terry, Chelsea – Patrice Evra, Manchester United – Petr Cech, Chelsea – Darren Fletcher, Manchester United, Roger Johnson, Birmingham City – Florent Malouda, Chelsea – Wayne Rooney, Manchester United – Darren Bent, Sunderland – Stewart Downing, Aston Villa

October ended with Chelsea looking imperious and pulling away from the chasing pack at the top of the Premiership. The side seemed to playing with such verve and spirit that I simply couldn’t see where any worthy challenge could come from. Manchester United were struggling to hit any real form, but continued to pick up points other sides would lose. Arsenal being Arsenal, looked amazing one week and then lost a game from nowhere. Manchester City continued to play as if expression was something to be feared.

Liverpool and Aston Villa were struggling to cope with the hangovers from summers of upheaval and Tottenham are still getting used to being involved at this end of the table. Then from nowhere, Chelsea hit the skids and suddenly, we have a title race again. November has been a hellish month for the Blues, with the Wilkins situation, Lampard’s continued absence, Terry and Alex both struggling, Essien suspended and Drogba’s illness sapping him of his strength and power. Then from nowhere Frank Arnesen announces his departure and you begin to think just what is going on at Stamford Bridge.

Crucially though Chelsea seemed to have no luck both on and off the pitch in the last four weeks. The game against Birmingham was one of the most one sides defeats I’ve seen in years. Chelsea absolutely battered Birmingham but couldn’t make the crucial breakthrough to score. When you play that well and the ball simply will not go in, then you really think things are conspiring against you. It’s unfortunate when 5 of your top stars all get sidelined for various reasons and most sides would struggle to cope with that level of disruption to their first team squad.

The Wilkins situation has, regardless of what the clubs hierarchy have said, had an effect on the dressing room and been a contributing factor. Tactical mistakes too have played their part, as the defeat to Sunderland had a lot to do with playing 3 right backs in a back four left them unbalanced and positionally unsure when defending. By not playing a recognised centre back, the impetus was offered to Steve Bruce’s side and they took full advantage playing with pomp and prowess.

The additional pain of being dislodged from the top of the table on Saturday was not only had Manchester United pulled two points clear, but by thrashing Blackburn Rovers so convincingly, goal difference had been drawn level. All of the advantages that Chelsea had, coming up to a tough December had been eaten away by a series of unfortunate injuries, suspensions and tactics.

Now Chelsea face 5 tough matches in the league, 4 against the current top 6. Visits to Tottenham and Arsenal, coupled with home games against Everton, Bolton and of course, Manchester United. At least it seems Terry and Lampard will return in the next week or so, but Alex faces a lay off for an operation and the front line is still struggling for goals. The old adage in English football is the title is usually decided at Easter, but Christmas could come early for Chelsea’s rivals if their dreadful month continues in to December. The club need to make sure that regardless of the off field problems, things need to get back to normal on the pitch.

Kalou missed a sitter to pile on the misery at Chelsea

The problems at Chelsea continue to mount as a draw in the North East allowed Manchester United to overhaul the champions at the top of the table for the first time this season.

With an important month in the title race about to begin injuries, backroom drama and poor performances have left confidence shattered at a club that has only collected four points from a possible fifteen.

Injuries and Suspensions With all the problems around the club it would be easy to forget that Michael Essien, Frank Lampard, John Terry, Alex and Didier Drogba have either been unavailable or not fully fit over the last month or so.

This constitutes the spine of the first team and it is clear that with the loss of Deco, Joe Cole, Ricardo Carvalho and Michael Ballack the depth is not what it needs to be for the club to overcome injury blights unaffected.

Ray Wilkins Nobody truly knows what happened and the reasoning behind the decision to axe a winning back room figure, but it will clearly have drained morale and it must be a contributing factor to recent results.

With the next month or so crucial for the first time in over a year Chelsea look vulnerable something that was unthinkable just a few months ago, when the Blues raced out of the blocks with six wins in a row. Significant changes in luck around injuries and the defining moments in games are required if Chelsea are to remain in the title race come January.

Brought to you by eChelseaFC

Barely have you had chance to draw breath and it’s time to do it all again. There’s a full midweek programme of Premier League fixtures, game week 12 is upon us already, and it’s going to be tricky selection wise as several managers may opt to shuffle their packs.

Tie of the week has to be the Manchester derby. The Blue half of Manchester have Carlos Tevez back and the Reds back line can expect a torrid time at the hands of the annoyingly persistent Argentinean. United may still be picking up points but they are struggling and will be looking for big performances from the experienced Scholes and Fletcher. It would also be a good time for Hernandez and Berbatov to rediscover their earlier form.

Chelsea and Tottenham will be looking to bounce back from disappointing weekend results. Spurs play host to Sunderland on Tuesday, and the form is with Tottenham, the Black Cats have only won once at the Lane in 26 years. Van Der Vaart is struggling with a hamstring injury, but I think Harry will risk him. Three points here are vital for Spurs’ push for the top four, Redknapp will go all out for victory on Tuesday night so it’s time to give your Tottenham forwards a run out.

I fear Fulham could pay for Liverpool’s victory on Sunday. Chelsea need to bounce back with a win and will simply overpower Fulham at the bridge. Drogba will be all guns blazing after warming the bench at Anfield for a long 45 minutes. This could be the week to rest any Fulham defenders you have in your squad.

Aston Villa’s treatment room is full of strikers right now, which equals opportunity for one young striker and if you feel like taking a gamble then Nathan Delfouneso, who could have had a hat-trick on Saturday, will be looking to make amends at home to Blackpool on Wednesday. It could also be a good time to give two more of Villa’s youngsters a chance, midfielders Marc Albrighton and Barry Bannan are turning heads for all the right reasons and both are available for under 5 million. There are always goals where Blackpool are concerned, honours may well end up even in this one but it will be entertaining.

There are two ties this week which, in all honesty, could go either way. Wolves host Arsenal and Newcastle host Blackburn. Wolves were outstanding in defeat at Old Trafford and have been impressive all season. Arsenal, being Arsenal could stroll this one or make a complete three course meal out of it. I’m going to go for the latter. Robin Van Persie made an appearance on Sunday and I’m backing him to be the difference in what will be a tight encounter.

It would be no surprise if Newcastle followed up a win at the emirates with a defeat at home to Blackburn. Nothing would give big Sam more pleasure than a victory against his former club. Newcastle should win, which is why I’m going to back Blackburn and Jason Roberts who found his shooting boots, well shin pads, against Wigan.

West Ham vs West Brom is another fixture that could throw up a few goals. Scott Parker at 5.4 million and Frederic Piquionne available for 5.1 million are well worth considering. The Hammers won’t stay bottom of the table for long and this home tie with the Albion could be the turning point of their season.

I’ve gone striker crazy in my suggestions this week, but I sense goals in game week 12 and goals mean points. Hopefully I’ve given you plenty to think about as you tinker with your attack.

If you feel like joining in the fun then join the EPL League by visiting: http://fantasy.premierleague.com/  the code you need to join is 13413-5300

A truly great weekend of football was witnessed during Gameweek 5 where football fans saw enough goals, controversy, late drama and skill to once again prove the Premier League as the world’s most exciting domestic league. Manchester United v Liverpool will steal most of the headlines, yet there was some great football played in matches featuring Tottenham v Wolves, Everton v Newcastle and West Brom v Birmingham City that shouldn’t go unnoticed.

Arsenal fans may have felt slightly cheated by ref Phil Dowd when Darren Bent’s leveling strike hit the net well after the four minutes of added stoppage time. Yet as seen in the Gameweek 2 draw featuring Manchester United v Fulham, a player again failed to convert a late penalty which would have secured the three points for the away side. Then it was Nani, Saturday it was Tomas Rosicky who failed to convert what would have been Arsenal’s second from the spot which allowed Sunderland the chance to equalize late on.

Spurs fought back from one down to record their first home win of the season when Wolves visited White Hart Lane on Saturday – a fixture won 1-0 by Wolves last season. In fact, Wolves secured all six points from Spurs last campaign which would have been in the minds of players and supporters as Spurs frustratingly pushed on looking for that elusive first home goal of the season. They finally got it through new boy Rafael van der Vaart’s penalty conversion before Roman Pavyluchenko and Alan Hutton secured a comfortable home win.

Chelsea seem to just define efficiency as of late. Although many including myself have questioned their early season schedule of fixtures and the lack of a serious challenge associated with them, the Champions still have to beat the teams placed before them until they meet stronger teams from the top half of the table. Their fluidity in attack, passing and running off the ball under Carlo Ancelotti embodies a Champion’s ambition unlike the finished product that was the title winning sides under Jose Mourinho who were less flashy than this most recent installment. Time will tell whether or not Chelsea have in fact gotten better from last season’s Championship winning side, or if they’ve indeed just aged another year and will slowly return to Earth once their schedule proves more daunting.

In other weekend matches of note, WBA beat Birmingham City 3-1 in the West Midlands Derby, West Ham secured their first point away to Stoke City while Blackburn v Fulham and Bolton v Aston Villa both resulted in a point earned for all involved.

Honorable Mentions -

Hatem Ben Arfa, Newcastle – What a debut for the French midfielder who impressed with a man of the match performance during Saturday’s 1-0 win away to Everton. Ben Arfa’s 44th minute left footed strike was a thing of beauty, while his darting runs through midfield throughout the second half proved his winner was no fluke from a player with more than just one trick up his sleeve. Newcastle seem to have captured a gem in Ben Arfa who’s on loan with the Magpies from French club Marseille. Ben Arfa’s talent as a footballer is no new secret as he’s been highly rated in Ligue 1 for a few years.

The 23 year old midfielder is best on the left side of midfield and with the ball at his feet while he could prove the ever so important creative piece to a Newcastle side who hope to avoid anything close to relegation this season. The three points secured from Ben Arfa’s debut goal on Saturday were enough to see Newcastle jump to sixth in the table while Toon fans begin to look froward to a season with Ben Arfa on their side.

Carlos Tevez, Manchester City – Captain. Leader. Difference Maker. Manchester City recorded their first ever win at the DW Stadium on Sunday when they ran out 2-0 winners v Wigan. Tevez was again the difference maker for City who jumped to fifth in the league with the three points gained. Tevez scored the opener in the 43rd when a Joe Hart long ball just grazed the head of Wigan defender Mohamed Diame which put Tevez in on goal to chip over Ali Al Habsi.

Tevez had a hand in City’s second when he assisted on Yaya Toure’s stab home as the work in progress that is Manchester City continues to, well,….progress.

Didier Drogba, Chelsea – Drogba has been involved in a myriad of goals this season, either scoring himself or setting up for a teammate. He’s arguably the league’s best player and throws his name in for footballer of the week whenever he takes the pitch. The only problem for Drogba, at least as it pertains to this little column, is that he’s surrounded by players like Florent Malouda, Salomon Kalou, Michael Essien, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard each and every week which makes picking a standout performer in a Chelsea squad seemingly loaded with standouts a difficult activity.

Regardless of who walks out onto the pitch at Stamford Bridge with the Captain’s arm band, Drogba is the leader. His ability to power his way into a game and make his mark is unmatched by that of any other player in the Premier League. Chelsea were again winners on Sunday by a dominate scoreline as they continue their breezy start to the 2010-11 Premier League campaign. In Chelsea’s 4-0 win v Blackpool, Drogba again scored, his fifth of the year, and assisted on two others as he was again heavily involved in an emphatic Chelsea early season victory.

Premier League Footballer of the Week -

Dimitar Berbatov, Manchester United – A sublime hat-trick for the Bulgarian striker against a determined Liverpool side at home was enough for Berbatov to get the nod this week. Two headers and a fantastic over head volley – arguably goal of the season so far – saw off Liverpool in a fascinating and entertaining match.

Liverpool fans will understandably feel aggrieved after Howard Webb failed to send off John O’Shea for his tug down on Fernando Torres in the second half – O’Shea arguably could have seen red in the weekend’s most controversial decision. Webb may have adjudged that Edwin van der Sar was easily onto the through ball wherein the foul warranted a yellow as a goal scoring opportunity hadn’t yet presented itself.

Regardless of the controversy, it was Dimitar’s day. After putting United 1-0 up with his first half near post header, Berbatov produced a stunning piece of skill to rival Europe’s best when he caught a Nani cross high on his right thigh and flicked an overhead volley into Pepe Reina’s unsuspecting goal.

Berbatov led the day with three goals while United, still not a finished product, again conceded two goals after being up two. Thanks to Berbatov, Nani’s wing play, Scholes passing and Fletcher’s presence in midfield, United were able to this time hold on for the win, if ever so slightly. Berbatov (alongside Chelsea’s Florent Malouda) is now the Premier League’s leading goal scorer with six in five. His fine start to the season comes at the most opportune of times as Wayne Rooney has netted only once in five matches for United.

Just as the hype and excitement for the World Cup is building to a feverish pitch, over the last two days we have had to read devastating headlines about star players (most of them Premier League stalwarts or ex-EPL stars) going down to injury in exhibition warm-up matches.

Devastating because in the World Cup you want to see the best of the best out on the pitch, that is what this tournament is about, it is what makes it so special. But in the last 48 hours, the list of those that will or may not be in South Africa has become staggering.

• Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United):  Ferdinand had replaced John Terry as England captain after the Chelsea star’s unscrupulous affairs made international headlines, and was set to appear in his fourth consecutive finals.  But a clash with Emile Heskey on the training ground on Friday has ruled him out of the Cup.  His season had been tarnished with injuries (started only 13 EPL matches) and this just puts the icing on the cake.  The only ball-playing CB for England, it will be interesting to see how the Three Lions cope without their captain.

• Didier Drogba (Chelsea): Arguably the best striker in the world, Drogba is now trying to salvage his World Cup dream through emergency surgery after dislocating his elbow in a friendly against Japan. The 37-goal striker is coming off his best season ever, and is the heart and soul of the Ivory Coast squad. If he cannot return to action for the tournament, it could bury the Elephants’ chances of getting out of their “Group of Death” featuring Brazil, Portugal and North Korea.

• Michael Essien (Chelsea): Having been plagued by injuries all season long for Chelsea, Essien tried to play his way back to get into the Ghana team, but failed to prove his fitness.  Ghana’s best player, Essien’s absence will severely hinder any hopes of Ghana returning to the knockout round where they were eliminated by Brazil in 2006.

• Michael Ballack (Chelsea): Yet another pivotal Chelsea player, Germany captain Michael Ballack was ruled out of the tournamant after a vicious tackle from Portsmouth’s Kevin-Prince Boateng (Ghana) in the FA Cup final left Ballack’s ankle in smithereens.  So productive for his national side, Ballack’s injury leaves a gaping hole in midfield for the always-dangerous Germans.

• John Obi Mikel (Chelsea): Are Chelsea footballers cursed for this World Cup?  While it was always going to be difficult for Mikel to feature for Nigeria after injuries derailed his Chelsea season in April, it has been confirmed that he will indeed not be traveling to South Africa after an undisclosed injury this morning.

• Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich, formerly Chelsea): And now the news this morning that Arjen Robben, Bayern’s wizard winger who at certain points single-handedly took the Munich giants to the Champions League final, has suffered a hamstring setback which could very well rule him out for Holland. While the Dutch have a plethora of playmakers, Robben is instrumental to their setup, and will be sorely missed this summer if he is out.

So there you have it.  The above players would make any manager’s starting lineups in the world, yet they could all be missing from world football’s biggest stage this summer.

When Argentina and Portugal were struggling to qualify, I thought to myself how tragic it would be to deprive the world of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at the World Cup.  While not quite up to Messi and Ronaldo’s enormous stature, the players above are major international stars that will be sorely missed by not only their countries but by the whole world, because in a World Cup you want to see the very best out there in full health so that the greatest tournament possible is realized.

Sports can be so cruel sometimes.

• Iron Man 2 and Mother’s Day
• Champions FC

Football played second fiddle this weekend to Mother’s Day and Robert Downey Jr. & Co. running around saving the world from a Russian villain. Quite the opposite event played out across England as another Russian, this time Roman Abramovich and not Mickey Rourke, emerged from the rubble and ashes of 38 Premier League matches as victor. Unless you spent the weekend underneath a large rock, you’ll have heard Chelsea football club emphatically trounced Wigan 8-0 to win the league for the first time in three years. So, I’d like to devote the final Premier League Footballer of the Week to the players of CFC as they truly look the part of Champions and continued to impress throughout the course of the season.

Chelsea were a team on a mission this season as Carlo Ancelotti’s men scored 103 goals to claim the club’s fourth title and still have a chance to complete a league and cup double this week, a feat so grand it even eluded the Special One. Manchester United played it close and kept it tight as they saw off Stoke City 4-0 to finish runners up by just a point. Steven Gerrard shoved a fan and this author grows oh so tired of watching scenes of unruly fans coming close to “kicking off” – events that have marred the last few weeks of football across the country.

Nominees -

Frank Lampard, Champions FC- What a resurgence Frank’s had in the last few months, and most importantly, at the right time of the season. The England midfield man will now look to keep top form for country but will enjoy this title as his contributions with goals, passing, leadership and overall presence will see him end his season as one of the top midfielders in the world. A natural, smart leader, Lampard showed poise in not allowing Didier Drogba to take Chelsea’s penalty in the 31st knowing the title for Chelsea was more important to the team than to risk personal gain for Drogba. Not that it mattered in the end.

Didier Drogba, Champions FC- The Golden Boot winner scored a huge hat-trick to help Chelsea cruise to an 8-0 demolition of Wigan and claim the title with no drama needed. Obviously unhappy after being denied the opportunity to score Chelsea’s second, Drogba rebounded from his mental funk to score three goals and claim the crown for most goals scored this season. Drogba remains one of the most feared and deadly strikers in the world  – even after that Vanity Fair cover.

Florent Malouda, Champions FC- Maybe the player mentioned on this post most consistently throughout the season, Malouda has had a breakout campaign with Chelsea and solidifies his name for most improved player and player of the year this season in my book. The attacking left-sided midfielder has fit in at Chelsea greatly and has thrived under Carlo Ancelotti’s tactical acumen. He’s got pace, links up well with forwards and can score goals. Chelsea will look to build on the success of this season next year as they defend their title and chase European glory – Florent Malouda will be key in their success.

Branislav Ivanovic, Champions FC- He set up Anelka’s second in the 56th when the affair was settled, but Ivanovic has been key to Chelsea’s championship winning season as a rock at the back. The strong right-back can be counted on for his consistency in defence and has the ability to push forward and support attacks. He’s a good crosser of the ball as we witnessed on Sunday when he found Anelka. He’ll partner Nemanja Vidic for Serbia at the World Cup and looks set to remain a vital ingredient to Chelsea’s back line for years to come.

Author’s Note: Thanks to all the EPL Talk readers who have read this column, voted in the polls or left comments. As we end this Premier League season and head into the World Cup, know that your participation and feedback has been appreciated and look for the column to return again next season.

Congratulations to Chelsea on an amazing 8-0 win against Wigan Athletic as they removed any doubts on the final day of the season whether they were worthy Premier League champions or not. They are.

The goalscorers on the final day of the season for Chelsea:

• Didier Drogba, hat-trick
• Nicolas Anelka, two
• Salomon Kalou, one
• Frank Lampard, one, and
• Ashley Cole, one.

The demolition by Chelsea negated the result at Old Trafford where Manchester United cruised to a 4-0 win against Stoke City.

Stay tuned to EPL Talk later tonight when the end of the season review EPL Talk Podcast will be released featuring Richard Farley, Laurence McKenna and Kartik Krishnaiyer.

Once again, congratulations to Chelsea FC.