Phil Foden wins Premier League Young Player of the Season

 

Phil Foden has won the 2020/21 Hublot Young Player of the Season award.

The 21-year-old starred as Manchester City won the title for a third time in four seasons.

The England international has dazzled for Pep Guardiola’s side and was a key member of their title-winning team.

Foden won the award ahead of the likes of Chelsea’s Mason Mount and West Ham United’s Declan Rice.

Making a career-high 28 appearances in a single season for champions Manchester City, Foden scored nine goals and provided five assists as he established himself as a crucial part of Pep Guardiola's team.

One of his standout performances came in the 4-1 victory at 2019/20 champions Liverpool, when he scored one goal and set up another.

Foden is only the second player to receive the accolade, following in the footsteps of inaugural recipient Trent Alexander Anold. 

To be eligible for the prize, players had to be aged 23 or under at the start of the 2020/21 campaign.

The midfielder topped an eight-player shortlist, having won the most combined votes from the public and a Premier League panel. 

He becomes Man City's fourth 2020/21 season awards winner. Ruben Dias and Guardiola were today confirmed as the EA Sports Player and Barclays Manager of the season respectively, while Liam Delap  was named PL2 Player of the Season.

Who else was nominated?

Also nominated were:

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Ilan Meslier (Leeds United), Mount (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Rice (West Ham United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal).

How good was Foden this year?

The 21-year-old made 28 league appearances for City as they won the title, contributing nine goals and five assists.

At times, Foden was mesmeric as he starred in a variety of roles under Guardiola. His touch, skill and game intelligence were continually impressive as he seemed to get better with each passing match.

Foden became a key part of City’s side and was often trusted in the biggest games, including crucial league wins over Chelsea and Liverpool in January and February respectively — both matches where he registered a goal and an assist.

His form for City was rewarded with a call-up to the England squad for the European Championship and he is expected to play an integral role under Gareth Southagte this summer.

What about the other awards?

Earlier on Saturday, City defender Dias was announced as the Premier League of the Season after a stellar debut campaign in Manchester.

City manager Pep Guardiola was later revealed as the Premier League Manager of the Season, following their impressive 12-point title victory.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Erik Lamela also won the Premier League Goal of the Season for his stunning rabona against Arsenal in March.

The PFA also revealed its Team of the Year on Friday — it was as follows:

Ederson (Manchester City), Joao Cancelo (Manchester City), John Stones (Manchester City), Dias (Manchester City), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City), Fernandes (Manchester United), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Salah (Liverpool), Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur).