Matchday 18 - Player of the Round

Fredi Kanoute (Sevilla)

Gregorio Manzano could be heard eulogising Malian striker Fredi Kanoute after the 2-3 win over Real Sociedad at the weekend. The former Tottenham striker scored two goals and was the key to Sevilla’s link-up play at Anoeta; without him the side surely would have slumped to a defeat in San Sebastian. Kanoute was one of the few players whose reputation was not harmed by Sevilla’s poor form at the back end of 2010 as, unlike the majority of his team mates, his level did not drop during that dark period. The fans voted him joint-Player of the Year for 2010 alongside Jesus Navas, which shows just how highly he is regarded on the “terraces” at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. Perhaps the greatest testament to his development is the plain fact that he has crept ahead of Brazil’s number nine, Luis Fabiano, in the Sevilla pecking order.