He took quite some time to find his footing last season, but he gradually improved his performances and managed to insert himself into the top centre-backs of the 2016-17 league last May. This season, talk about the best central defender starts with him!

Fernando Varela is in excellent condition and a true leader of the “Double-Headed Eagle’s” defence: unbeatable in his tackling and in the air, with impeccable positioning and timely interventions, endless passion and capability for self-sacrifice.

The Cape Verde central defender didn’t just stay back in February, but largely contributed to the attacking game of PAOK, scoring against AEL Larissa and becoming a candidate for… celebration of the year. He also created one of Aleksandar Prijović’s two goals in Giannina.

In the poll organized by paokfc.gr and PAOK FC Official App, Varela collected 44,29% of the users’ vote, earning the 11888 MVP of February, his first individual accolade at PAOK.

Adelino Vieirinha was voted in second place, after a busy February of doing everything that was asked of him by the coaching staff. Dimitris Pelkas completed the podium, confirming he is having an excellent season.

11888 MVP players of the current season:

August: Djalma Campos

September: Dimitris Pelkas

October: Léo Matos

November: Léo Matos

December: Dimitris Pelkas

January: Alexandros Paschalakis