Stuart Holden has enjoyed a strong season for Bolton, perhaps stronger than we realized.
Holden has been named to the Guardians English Premier League Team of the Season at the halfway point after garnered the highest average rating among all EPL players. The Guardians website has reader-generated player rankings for all Premier League matches and Holden scored the highest average of the season.
Here is the Premier League Best XI at the mid-way point according to the Guardians website:
Richard Kingson (Blackpool); Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), Leighton Baines (Everton); Samir Nasri (Arsenal), Stuart Holden (Bolton), Luka Modric (Tottenham), Rafael van der Vaart (Tottenham); Johan Elmander (Bolton), Andy Carroll (Newcastle).
Holden finished the mid-way point of the season with an average of 7.4, with Bolton teammate Johan Elmander posting the second-highest average at 7.2.
Here are some other stories to get you through the day:
Findley linked to deal with Nottingham Forest
U.S. national team striker Robbie Findley had been linked to a trial with Premier League side Wolverhampton, but a new report has Findley signing with League Championship side Nottingham Forest.
Sky Sports is reporting that Findley has left Wolverhampton and is on the verge of a deal to sign with Nottingham Forest, a club managed by Billy Davies, the same manager who brought Americans Eddie Lewis and Benny Feilhaber to Derby County.
Findley is currently out of contract and is therefore free to sign with any team. There are questions about his ability to secure a UK work permit, but he played in 10 of the U.S. national teams 14 matches in 2010, and the four matches he missed were due to suspension, injury and club commitments. Given those figures, Findley shouldnt have trouble securing a work permit.
Balotelli honored as best young player in Europe
Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has been honored as Best Young Player in Europe by Italian-based Tuttosport.
Balotelli edged out Arsenals Jack Wilshire for the award, which honors the best European player under the age of 21.
Its tough to agree with that choice. Who would we have voted for? Belgian Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku are two standouts who come to mind, along with French midfielder Yann MVila.
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What do you think of these developments? Impressed with Holdens rating? Surprised by all the interest in Findley?
Share your thoughts below.
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