After the Champions League dismantling of Villarreal, Jurgen Klopp got a little exasperated earlier this week when asked about the chances of Sadio Mane winning the Ballon D’Or.
Understandably so. Even though Klopp answered the question as fully as he could, a semi-final of European club football’s blue riband competition was occupying most of his thoughts. But individual awards do interest people, especially those who receive them.
The Ballon D’or voting is some way down the line but, on Friday morning, the Football Writers’ Association will name its 75th Footballer of the Year, the first having been Stanley Matthews in 1948.
