Phil Foden has won the PFA Young Player of the Year award, but Manchester City team-mate Kevin De Bruyne missed out on the top prize to Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.
De Bruyne was looking to become the first player to win three PFA Player of the Year awards with a third consecutive triumph. The City talisman enjoyed another outstanding season, finishing the campaign as the Blues’ top scorer and assist provider with 15 goals and eight assists.
The award, though, went to his Liverpool counterpart Salah, who ended the season as the Premier League’s joint-top scorer with 23 goals, as well as adding 13 assists. The Egypt international was one of three Reds on the shortlist, along with Sadio Mane and Virgil van Dijk, while Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo were also nominated.
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It means De Bruyne will have to wait to surpass the likes of Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry and Cristiano Ronaldo if he is to become the first player to claim the award for a record third time. Salah will now also be gunning for a third award, having drawn level with De Bruyne after his first win in 2018.
City did have a winner as the awards were announced on Thursday night. Foden took home the Young Player award to add to his Premier League Young Player of the Season prize.
It’s the second successive year the 22-year-old has won the PFA award, becoming the first player to do so since Dele Alli in 2016 and 2017. Foden registered nine goals and five assists as he picked up his fourth Premier League winners’ medal.
Foden beat England team-mates Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Conor Gallagher and Reece James to the award. Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey was also nominated in an all-English line-up.
Speaking after winning the award, Foden said: “I’m really honoured, especially to win it back-to-back. It shows that I’ve come a long way this year with the consistency of my game. I’m really pleased to win it again.
“All the best players in the world have got to show consistency and keep performing at the higher level and this year I’ve just tried to do that help my team as much as possible. I’ve been really happy with my performances this year. Hopefully I can win the main award in the future, but it’s all about taking small steps and improving.”
City director of football Txiki Begiristain added: “Phil helps embody the quality, drive and determination of every single player here at Manchester City. He is a special player with a special talent, but one who always puts the team first and strives to be best he can be every single day.
"And to be recognised by his professional colleagues once again says everything about the way he is regarded by his peers. It’s also another tribute to the amazing work of our Academy and the important role everyone there played in helping Phil make the progression through to our first team.
“He is an inspiration and shining example for every young player at the Club. Everyone at the Club is delighted at this latest award and congratulates Phil on another magnificent achievement.”
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