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MATA THE MAIN MAN

Posted on: Thu 10 May 2012

Juan Mata has been rewarded for the entertainment he has provided in his first Chelsea season by the fans voting him the club's Player of the Season.

The Spanish playmaker becomes the first new arrival at the club to pick up the accolade in his debut season since Ruud Gullit in 1996.

'I just have to say thank you,' Mata said.

'It is my first season here so it is even more special for me and I want to say thank you to my team-mates and the staff and all the people who voted for me.

'I didn't expect it but I have had the opportunity to play a lot of games and enjoy English football. It has been an amazing season as we won the FA Cup in my first year and we have the chance to win the Champions League. It is history for this club and I will never forget this season.'

The other nominated players in contention for the Player of the Year Award were Branislav Ivanovic and Ramires. 

Ramires won the Chelsea Goal of the Season award for the second year running.

A year ago his stunning individual effort against Manchester City at home was the fans' choice. This year his never-to-be-forgotten chip after Frank Lampard's pass in Barcelona to help knock the European champions out of the Champions League was the popular choice.



The Players' Player of the Year Award, chosen by his fellow professionals at the club, also went to Ramires.

'It is really special to receive this in my second year here and I hope to win it again,' was his response.

In the first honour handed out at Thursday evening's at Stamford Bridge, Lucas Piazon was named Young Player of the Year.

The 18-year-old Brazilian attacker was part of the side that won the FA Youth Cup Final just 24 hours earlier.



'I am very happy and I didn't expect this,' he said. 'It has been a fanastic week for me. David Luiz and Ramires have helped me a lot here as when I came in I was alone.

'I hope to be at Chelsea a long time and I will keep working.'

A Special Recognition Award recognised Bobby Tambling, the club's all-time leading scorer with 202 goals across the decade that was the 1960s. Unfortunately Tambling was unable to attend as he is in hospital having undergone major surgey on his leg. His wife Val and brother Brendan were there and passed on a message: 'Thanks you so much for this award, I don't think any of you really know how much it means to me. I want to thank the legion of fans who supported me and the team and have done so again throughout my illness.'  


CHELSEA PLAYER OF THE YEAR
1967 Peter Bonetti
1968 Charlie Cooke
1969 David Webb
1970 John Hollins
1971 John Hollins
1972 David Webb
1973 Peter Osgood
1974 Gary Locke
1975 Charlie Cooke
1976 Ray Wilkins
1977 Ray Wilkins
1978 Micky Droy
1979 Tommy Langley
1980 Clive Walker
1981 Petar Borota
1982 Mike Fillery
1983 Joey Jones
1984 Pat Nevin
1985 David Speedie
1986 Eddie Niedzwiecki
1987 Pat Nevin
1988 Tony Dorigo
1989 Graham Roberts
1990 Ken Monkou
1991 Andy Townsend
1992 Paul Elliott
1993 Frank Sinclair
1994 Steve Clarke
1995 Erland Johnsen
1996 Ruud Gullit
1997 Mark Hughes
1998 Dennis Wise
1999 Gianfranco Zola
2000 Dennis Wise
2001 John Terry
2002 Carlo Cudicini
2003 Gianfranco Zola
2004 Frank Lampard
2005 Frank Lampard
2006 John Terry
2007 Michael Essien
2008 Joe Cole
2009 Frank Lampard
2010 Didier Drogba
2011 Petr Cech
2012 Juan Mata


CHELSEA YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR
1983 Keith Dublin
1984 Robert Isaac
1985 Gareth Hall
1986 Micky Bodley
1987 Jason Cundy
1988 Eddie Cunnington
1989 No award
1990 No award
1991 Andy Myers
1992 Zeke Rowe
1993 Neil Shipperley
1994 Mark Nicholls
1995 Chris McCann
1996 Jody Morris
1997 Nick Crittenden
1998 John Terry
1999 Sam Dalla Bona
2000 Rhys Evans
2001 Leon Knight
2002 Carlton Cole
2003 Robert Huth
2004 Robert Huth
2005 Robert Huth
2006 Lassana Diarra
2007 John Mikel Obi
2008 The U18s youth team
2009 Michael Mancienne
2010 The U18s youth team
2011 Josh McEachran
2012 Lucas Piazon


CHELSEA GOAL OF THE SEASON
2007 Michael Essien v Arsenal (home)
2008 Juliano Belletti v Tottenham (home)
2009 Michael Essien v Barcelona (home)
2010 Ashley Cole v Sunderland (home)
2011 Ramires v Manchester City (home)
2012 Ramires v Barcelona (away)


CHELSEA PLAYERS' PLAYER OF THE YEAR
2006 Claude Makelele
2007 Didier Drogba
2008 Ricardo Carvalho
2009 Ashley Cole
2010 Florent Malouda
2011 Ashley Cole
2012 Ramires