Premier League: De Bruyne & Foden named Player of the Year

Kevin de Bruyne of Manchester City was crowned Premier League player of the season for the 2021-22 season, while teammate Phil Foden was named the best young player.

De Bruyne, Belgian midfielder, has 15 goals and seven assists this season, with City leading the league heading into the last day of the season on Sunday.

“Winning this prize for the second time is something I am quite proud of,” he remarked.

Foden, 21, is the first player to win the award two years in a row.

De Bruyne, 30, was picked after public votes on the Premier League website were coupled with votes from the captains of the 20 Premier League clubs and a panel of football experts.

Joao Cancelo, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool, Jarrod Bowen of West Ham, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, Tottenham attacker Son Heung-min, and Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse were also nominated.

De Bruyne won the award again in 2019-20, joining Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Nemanja Vidic as the only players to win it twice.

“The Premier League has so much quality, and it’s an honor to be nominated among so many other great players who have had amazing seasons for their clubs,” De Bruyne continued.

“I think my performances have been good this season, and I’m delighted that I’ve been able to contribute goals and assists throughout the season.”

Foden won the young player prize for the second time after receiving the most votes from the public and a Premier League panel.

This season, the England international has nine goals and five assists to his credit.

Foden won the prize for players aged 23 and under, beating out Alexander-Arnold, Crystal Palace’s on-loan Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, Palace full-back Tyrick Mitchell, Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount, Arsenal duo Aaron Ramsdale and Saka, and West Ham midfielder Declan Rice.

He said, “I’m quite delighted to have won for the second season in a row.”

“I’ve been quite pleased with my efforts this season, and it’s been nice to contribute to this club in what we all hope will be another successful year.”

“It’s an honor to be nominated with so many excellent players who have all had outstanding seasons for their clubs.”

De Bruyne and Foden can help City maintain the Premier League title when they play Aston Villa on Sunday, as their team enters the final round of matches, one point ahead of Liverpool, who host Wolverhampton Wanderers.