LIVERPOOL’S MO SALAH has been voted the Professional Footballers’ Association’s men’s player of the year, with Chelsea’s Sam Kerr collecting the women’s award.
Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden retains the PFA young player of the year award, with Lauren Hemp again women’s young player, which she wins for a third consecutive season.
Voted for by PFA members, Salah topped the poll ahead of Belgian playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, who had won for the previous two years and was again an integral part of the City team which claimed the Premier League title ahead of Liverpool by just one point.
Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo and Tottenham striker Harry Kane had also made the shortlist, along with Salah’s Liverpool team-mates Virgil Van Dijk and Sadio Mane.
Chelsea forward Kerr scored 20 goals to be top scorer in the FA Women’s Super League, helping Emma Hayes’ team win the domestic double after beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
Elsewhere, Liverpool made up six of the PFA Premier League team of the year, with three from champions City.
Reds goalkeeper Alisson, defenders Trent Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk, along with midfielder Thiago Alcantara as well as forwards Mane and Salah were all recognised by their peers and voted into the divisional XI.
City, who edged out Liverpool by a point to win the title on the final day of the season, are represented by full-back Joao Cancelo, playmaker De Bruyne and midfielder Bernardo Silva.
The other two places go to Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger and Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who returned to the England this season after leaving Juventus last summer and scored 18 Premier League goals.
Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson shared the Golden Glove with City number one and compatriot Ederson after 20 clean sheets.
City defender Cancelo was top of the Premier League’s overall passing stats, as the Portugal international made a total of 2,951, while Alexander-Arnold was second in the number of assists with 12.
Great to see Rhys Ruddock in the team and in brilliant form. A massively strong lad, with a thunderous run, very hard to stop. I remember seeing him in the u20′s Irish team and he really impressed. Long may it continue!
Gopperth just isnt up to it,his tactical kicking is awful and it’s interesting to see that Madigan has been doing the place kicking in the last few games even with Gopperth on the field. O’Connor really doesnt seem to know what he is doing as regards his number 10.
I’d say Madigan kicking is an IRFU call… Johnny injured and most likely out of autumn games…
Toner is a giant
Until he addresses the two old men at halfbacks and changes this kick the ball away and hope the other team make a mistake attitude he’ll not get it right.
His away tactics are really poor and hand the home team all the advantages by allowing them constantly to have to ball.
MOC OUT
Why do you want a man who helped Leinster win a trophy in convincing fashion out? he’s proved he can do it for ye, just with picking a quality 10 and 12 as an exception.
Winning the pro12 really isn’t enough and we were awful in the Heineken. Also just the general style in which Leinster played was not exciting to watch. It feels like the team is regressing under O’Connor.
LOL Chris don’t hold back now, say what you think. No point sitting on the fence.
Andrew look what happened to Munster when they accepted mediocre coaches.
I’m sorry I’m too big of a Leinster fan to not say anything.
I tend to agree with you but the blunt honesty of your message made me laugh. There is quality in that Leinster squad but poor passing, aimless kicking and a general lack of clarity in selection and game management is not doing them any favours.
The style of quick, fast, skill-full rugby suits Leinster rugby and has allowed us to seriously compete with anybody. Departing from that general rugby philosophy will not help Leinster.
If Reid is now fit, Madigan can start at 10 which gives Leinster their kicker and game maker in a pivotal role. Hopefully a new partnership in the centre will then emerge.