Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden named PFA Player of the Year

LONDON – Manchester City forward Phil Foden thanked everyone at the club after winning a “special” Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year award on Aug 20.

The 24-year-old played a key role in City winning an unprecedented fourth consecutive English Premier League title last term. He scored 19 times and delivered eight assists for Pep Guardiola’s team as they pipped Arsenal to the trophy on the last day of the season.

“To win this award is something very special and it is one that I am very proud of and grateful for,” said Foden, who netted 27 goals in 53 appearances in all competitions.

“To be recognised this way by your fellow professionals means everything and I would like to thank everyone who voted for me.

“I also want to pay special thanks to Pep, the City coaches and all my teammates as they help me to try and get better every single day.”

The England international has also already set his sights on a fifth successive Premier League crown, and seventh overall, after City started their title defence with a 2-0 win at Chelsea last weekend.

“Last season was another very special one for everyone at the club but now all our focus is concentrated on trying to achieve more success this term,” he added.

City had also clinched the Uefa Super Cup and the Club World Cup and were FA Cup runners-up, but missed out on retaining their Champions League crown.

Foden was the 2023-24 Premier League Player of the Season as well and was named the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year, drawing praise from the club hierarchy.

City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain said: “Everyone here is so thrilled to see Phil win this (latest) award. To have your fellow professionals recognise you in such a way is very special.

“Phil embodies everything we stand for at Manchester City. He is a supremely talented player but is someone who always strives to seek to improve.

“He is a very humble guy who is hugely popular throughout the club. We are all very proud of him.”

Foden’s City teammates Erling Haaland, who won the award in 2023, and Rodri, as well as Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins were also on the Player of the Year shortlist.

“I’d also like to congratulate Kyle (Walker), Rodrigo and Erling on being voted into the PFA Team of the Year, it’s great to see their amazing quality recognised in this way,” Foden said.

Chelsea forward Palmer, 22, was named the men’s PFA Young Player of the Year.

Foden and Palmer’s awards made it the first time that both the senior and young player trophies went to English players since 2009-10, when Wayne Rooney and James Milner took home the silverware.

Palmer was second only to Haaland in the Premier League scoring charts with 22 goals in 34 appearances in a breakthrough campaign after leaving Guardiola’s team to move to Stamford Bridge.

City enjoyed a clean sweep of the main awards at the Manchester ceremony as Khadija Shaw was voted the women’s Player of the Year, while Grace Clinton picked up the Young Player of the Year award after excelling on loan at Tottenham Hotspur from Manchester United.

Jamaican forward Shaw was the top scorer in the Women’s Super League with 21 goals, as City were edged out for the title on goal difference by Chelsea.

“I am both happy and proud to have received this award, to be recognised in such a way by my peers is a very special honour,” Shaw said. AFP, REUTERS