"Sums up the footballing era", "Richly deserved" - Fans divided as Phil Foden is named Premier League Player of the Season
Manchester City's Phil Foden was announced as the Premier League Player of the Season on Saturday (May 18). He won the award ahead of players like Erling Haaland, Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Ollie Watkins and Alexander Isak.
The Englishman was just a homegrown youngster when he received a call to join the senior team and step into the shoes of club icon David Silva. Foden's ability to dribble past defenders coupled with a penchant to score goals, make him one of the most versatile and dangerous players on the pitch.
The 23-year-old had his best goal-scoring season this year, netting 17 goals across 24 games. The Manchester City talisman also has two hat-tricks and eight assists to his name. His versatility is only examples by the positions that he's been deployed to play by Pep Guardiola.
Phil Foden has played as an attacking midfielder, a winger, and a false nine which has allowed players like Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva to flourish.
Fans took to social media platform X to react to the Player of the Season announcement. Here are some of the reactions:
One fan, however, suggested that Phil Foden's teammate Rodri should've won the award but he didn't even make it to the list of nominated players.
Here's what the user said:
"Such a shame. The player who deserves it the most is Rodri and he wasn’t even nominated."
Another user commented:
"Don’t get me wrong he’s had an incredibly impressive season but I’m just not convinced he’s been the best player in the league. Rodri is far more valuable to that City team."
One user stated:
"Quite honestly sums up the footballing era recently. Biased and supremely questionable decisions. Players like Watkins, Rice and even Rodri who wasn’t nominated lose their value to such awards."
Manchester City will take on West Ham United on Sunday, May 19, which is the final matchday of the season as they attempt to win their fourth league in a row.
Phil Foden will be the youngest player to win 6 PL titles if Manchester City beat the Hammers
The Englishman had some big shoes to fill this season following the absence of primary playmaker Kevin de Bruyne, who missed half of the team's matches due to injury.
The 23-year-old has played the second-most minutes of any City outfield player this season. Foden also won the award for the first time in his career. While reacting to being named the Player of the Season, here's what the Englishman told the club's official website:
"To win this award is an achievement that I am extremely proud of. The Premier League is acknowledged as the greatest league in the world, and it is a pleasure to have been nominated with so many other great players who have all enjoyed special seasons for their clubs."
Manchester City will enter the final matchday as potential champions. They're two points ahead of title-chasers Arsenal and just need a win to make it four consecutive titles.
Furthermore, City can also become the only team to bag six Premier League titles in seven years. If they do so, Phil Foden will become the youngest player to win six Premier League titles.