Even though the 2013-14 season is just getting started, 2013 is winding down and the conversation for the Ballon d'Or is starting to heat up. In the last two installments of the Ballon d'Or predictions, Latinos Post has looked at the bonafide front-runners in the competition as well as players on Spanish clubs that could get a look. In this installment, the focus shifts to England and the Premier League.
The competition has not been kind to players on English clubs. Throughout the history of the trophy only 21 players have been picked amongst the top three in voting and only five players on English clubs have actually lifted the award. Since FIFA took hold of the recognition three years ago, no England-based player has finished in the top three in voting and only one has finished in the top five. Regardless, here are a few players that have earned some recognition thus far in the Premier League in 2013.
Robin Van Persie was the top scorer in the Premier League last season, but started 2013 with a tremendous amount of inconsistency. He scored 26 goals in the Premier League last season, but most of those tallies were in the first half of the year. Van Persie is off to a terrific start in 2013 for club and country, and could find himself on the short-list and among the top 10 as he did last year (he finished ninth). However, his 2012 standings were the result of a brilliant performance for Arsenal at the start of 2012 and a terrific finish for Manchester at the end of the year. He has not had a tremendous start this season, so the finish will be of utter importance.
Van Persie's teammate Wayne Rooney finished in 15th last year thanks to a tremendous 2011-12 season for United. However, this season was plagued by heavy transfer drama and a lack of production. Rooney has gotten off to a solid start for United in 2013-14 but it may not be enough to get voters on his side. Expect him to be overlooked.
Over at Chelsea, Juan Mata could get a look after his team pulled off a tremendous Europa League run. Mata has been an integral part of Chelsea for some years, including the Champions League victory in 2011-12, but was not nominated last year for the Ballon d'Or. He was the team's driving force in 2012-13 and ended the season on a high note. However, his mediocre performance in the Confederations Cup for Spain and his lack of playing time with Chelsea to start 2013-14 could hinder his chances at votes.
His teammates Oscar and David Luiz will certainly get looks, however. Both were parts of the Europa League winning squad and also led Brazil to a Confederations Cup win over Spain. While Oscar may easily get overlooked in favor of other Brazilians or influential midfield maestros in other countries, Luiz is almost certain to get a spot in the top 23 after his strong season and highlight-reel defensive stop in the final against Spain.
Manchester City had a forgettable season and is unlikely to see any contestants from its team. However, Arsenal could pick up a finalist in Mesut Ozil. The German international has made the list in the last three years and finished as high as seventh in 2011. He had a mediocre year for Madrid last season, but has played well for Germany and could be slated for a tremendous year at Arsenal. If his finish is as good as expected, then Ozil should be a lock for a nomination this season.
Liverpool's Luis Suarez could be another contender after a strong goalscoring run for Liverpool last season and a number of tremendous goals for Uruguay in the Confederations Cup and World Cup qualifying. He is almost certain to get some votes but his polarizing personality could turn some voters away.
Tottenham Hotspur finished fifth last season and had one potential candidate in Gareth Bale. He is likely to get some consideration but he will have to finish 2013 in good form for his new club Real Madrid.
Of all the English club players, the only ones with realistic chances of finishing on the ballot are Ozil, Luis, Van Persie, Oscar and possibility Mata. However, expect maybe two or three finalists from the Premier League at most.