Seamus Coleman
The Killybegs defender may be with Everton four years but the past 12 months have really seen him cement his place as one of the Premier League’s finest full-backs.
At Everton, he has kicked on again since the arrival of Roberto Martinez, scoring three goals this season already, and there have even been rumours recently that Arsenal are interested in the former Sligo Rovers player’s signature.
The 25-year-old has also made the Ireland number two jersey his own and even captained the national team for the first time against Germany.
Gareth Bale
Having won PFA Player of the Year last season, Gareth Bale eventually got his wish after a summer of toing and froing from both Spurs and Real Madrid.
The world record fee of €100 million added a huge amount of pressure to the Welsh winger’s move to La Liga and lacking full fitness during his first couple of games didn’t felt ease the expectation levels of fans.
Since then, Bale has begun to come into his own — scoring seven league goals including a superb hat-trick against Real Valladolid.
Killian Brennan
Killian Brennan’s natural ability has never been questioned but after enduring a difficult season at Shamrock Rovers last year, the Drogheda native moved to St Patrick’s Athletic possibly with a point to prove.
Under Liam Buckley, the 29-year-old was handed a central role and grabbed the added responsibility with both hands. Brennan played a pivotal part in the Saints’ Premier Division win and scored a number of important goals along the way.
As a result, he was recognised by picking up the PFAI Players’ Player of the Year award for 2013.
Aaron Ramsey
Even after Aaron Ramsey had returned to full fitness after that horror tackle by Ryan Shawcross which resulted in a double fracture in his right leg, many questioned whether he development had been permanently effected.
However, over these past several months, any doubt about the midfielder has been wiped away by his phenomenal run of form during the Gunners’ rise to the top of the Premier League.
He has also discovered a knack for scoring goals and already has 13 in all competitions this season.
Franck Ribery
He might be living in the shadow of the undoubtedly superior Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi and (possible a few more), but you cannot argue that 2013 has been some year for Franck Ribery.
The Frenchman was Bayern Munich’s start players as the Bavarians did the treble — defeating German rivals Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final.
Along with Ronaldo and Messi, the 30-year-old, who also helped France book their place at next year’s World Cup finals, is on the shortlist for the Ballon D’Or award and while it looks Ronaldo’s to lose, Ribery inclusion ahead of other great players speaks volumes.
Who do you believe should be included in this list?
