But, that's not good enough to get Nani nominated for PFA Player of the Year by his peers, likely for all of the aforementioned reasons — those, and the reality that the players voted in March, when Nani's most significant contributions were heading a ball straight to Dirk Kuyt to give Liverpool a 2-0 lead in the North West Derby, and subsequently receiving a deep gash in the leg from Jamie Carragher, after which he rose from the pitch to tell the defender how he felt and then subsequently flopped back to the turf.
That's not exactly the impression you want to leave your peers with as they are about to fill out their ballots, but that's not the point. The point is that none of that should've mattered.
What should matter is that nobody in the Premier League is more dangerous on the ball than Nani, and that he has more assists (13) than any other player in the league, and more combined goals and assists (22) than anyone but his teammate Dimitar Berbatov (23) and his former teammate Carlos Tevez (25).
Like Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo before him, he is the engine that powers United's attack — one that is the best in the league for the first time since 2007-08. Even so, both Rooney and Ronaldo won the award in years when such was not the case, and Nani has to settle for Young Player of the Year contention.
But how does Nani stack up against the six players who made the cut?
Well, Tevez has scored more than Nani, but he's done so while being the integral cog in an attack that has disappointed, scoring only two more goals than Newcastle despite having arguably the most talent in the league. Despite his incredible workrate and scoring output, there's no denying that City's attack is far less than the sum of its parts, and some of that must be attributed to its central figure — one who, like Nani, hasn't been able to take credit for much since February.
Then again, you could say the same thing about Gareth Bale, whose season can really be summarized by an incredible hat trick in a 4-3 defeat against Inter Milan after Spurs fell behind 4-0 against the Champions League titleholders.
His success has come largely in Europe, and for a Spurs team that — if it is knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid in the coming weeks — would have to call this season somewhat of a failure.
Bale, perhaps a more physical, left-sided Nani, may have excited us with his lengthy runs, memorable goals and well-taken set pieces, but when you add up his actual league performance, seven goals and one assist, you're looking at the exact same tally as that posted by Wigan's Hugo Rodallega.
Considering the time he's missed through injury as well, one has to wonder how he can rationally be in the conversation for Player of the Year. The answer is that it's not rational. The idea of Bale, that a British Cristiano Ronaldo has burst onto the scene, is a simply irresistable notion, far more exciting than the reality that Nani has steadily matured into a slightly lesser Ronaldo himself over the course of the past few seasons.
But, bursting onto the scene seems to count for a lot. That's how Samir Nasri and Charlie Adam won nominations as well. To be fair, Nasri has been Arsenal's best player in a year in which they've challenged for the title despite missing their actual two best players, Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas, for extended periods. Again, however, Nasri's statistics (9 goals, 1 assist) don't hold a candle to Nani's. Nasri, in truth, is also part of Arsenal's well-documented problem. He's undeniably skillful and creative, but his lack of toughness makes the Gunners a team others enjoy playing — and vulnerable to poor results at the hands of lesser sides.
Those lesser sides, though, are perhaps the story of the year, and Adam and Scott Parker have become icons of league parity accordingly. Both have truly impressed and can likely be credited with giving their sides any chance of avoiding relegation, but, results do have to count for something. Adam, a deep midfield player, plays for a side that has 16 losses and has allowed a league-most 63 goals. It may be true that Ian Holloway's playing style and the Blackpool back four are largely to blame for that number, but, Adam — and his often apparent lack of fitness — must take some blame as well. Simply put, no side in the league gives up as much space in midfield as Blackpool.
Parker, unlike Adam, does as well in holding space in midfield as anybody. That was particularly evident in West Ham's 3-1 victory over Liverpool that saw him dominate the likes of Steven Gerrard and Lucas (coincidentally, just before March on Feb 27), but unlike Adam, Parker plays alongside a roster of players far too talented and deep for relegation. Even so, that seems the likely result for West Ham. Then, there are the statistics: five goals and two assists for a team that has 13 losses and 53 goals against thus far.
Parker and Adam may be true bright spots for poor teams in a year when those said poor teams have impressed at times, but to call them "Player of the Year" would be to vote for the story of parity in the league, not for actual performance on the pitch.
The final nominee, United teammate Nemanja Vidic, has probably been the league's best defender this season, but he's surely made his share of mistakes — such as against West Ham this past weekend — and the defense that he's anchored has been a definitive fourth-best in the league. Unlike years past, United has been winning with its attack, not its defense, implying that it has been Nani's performance, not Vidic's that has been most significant.
Nani isn't a likable player. He flops and complains, and can be incredibly frustrating to watch — often making a terrible play for each amazing contribution. Still, if there was one player you would want in your side this season, you'd probably be foolish not to pick him.
For all of those factors to prevent Nani from winning PFA Player of the Year would be understandable. He's tough to vote for, but for his peers to omit him entirely can only be considered proof that they just can't get it right. Perhaps, Nani should have dressed himself up as an out-of-nowhere sensation playing for a relegation side. That seems to be what everyone is looking for.
Should Nani have been nominated for PFA Player of the Year? Leave your thoughts below.
