Manchester City star Phil Foden has been named FWA Footballer of the Year, fending off competition from Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, and Cole Palmer.
– England star posting personal-best numbers
– Looking to land more major silverware
– Gunners midfielder takes runner-up spot
WHAT OCCURRED?
England’s Foden has had a remarkable season at the Etihad Stadium, achieving his personal-best goal tally of 24 across all competitions. He has kept City in contention for a fourth consecutive Premier League title and another FA Cup victory, building on the Blues’ historic Treble triumph in 2023.
Foden becomes the third City player, following Ruben Dias and Erling Haaland, to claim the FWA award in the past four years. He secured 42% of the vote, edging out Arsenal midfielder Rice into second place and his club teammate Rodri to bronze. Arsenal captain Odegaard, Chelsea playmaker Palmer, and Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins rounded out the top six.
Foden expressed his gratitude to the Football Writers’ Association for acknowledging his exceptional form with such a prestigious accolade: “Being named the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year is a tremendous honor. I’m truly delighted to receive this award, but I owe it all to my teammates. We have an incredibly special squad at City, and I feel privileged to be part of such a talented group. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all my teammates, as well as to Pep and the coaches, for their unwavering support and guidance. Every day, I strive to be the best version of myself, and that’s a testament to the culture of continuous improvement fostered by the manager and my colleagues. I’d also like to express my appreciation to everyone who voted for me, as well as to my fellow nominees. Winning this award fills me with immense pride. Now, my focus is on finishing the season as strongly as possible and contributing to City’s quest for more silverware.”
City has secured Foden under contract until 2027, ensuring they can continue to harness the considerable talents of the 23-year-old for the foreseeable future. England, too, anticipates maximizing his abilities this summer as they gear up for a pursuit of Euro 2024 triumph on German soil.