SPORT

Manchester City’s Phil Foden Named Footballer of the Year, Khadija Shaw Wins Women’s Award

Written by Jerry Alomatu on May 4, 2024

News Views: 95

Phil Foden of Manchester City was announced as the Footballer of the Year by the English Football Writers’ Association, while Khadija Shaw from the same club secured the women’s award.

Foden, the dynamic attacking English midfielder, now joins the esteemed ranks of footballing legends such as Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, George Best, and Kenny Dalglish.

Foden becomes the third City player in the past four years to secure football’s oldest individual award, following in the footsteps of Ruben Dias in 2021 and Erling Haaland last year.

The 23-year-old received 42 percent of the votes, beating out competition from Arsenal’s Declan Rice and his teammate Rodri, who finished third in a ballot of the FWA’s nearly 900-strong membership.

Foden has netted 24 goals this season as Pep Guardiola’s City pursue a Premier League and FA Cup double.

“Being named the Football Writers’ Association footballer of the year is a huge honor,” said Foden. “I’m very, very happy to receive this award but I could not have done it without the help of my teammates.”

Guardiola praised Foden’s achievements but suggested there’s room for even more improvement.

“The impact in the final third is really good, the work ethic,” he remarked. “Every year, due to the amount of games he’s playing, the minutes he’s playing, he’s more mature and he understands the game but he has to continue. He’s still young.”

“Depends on him, simple as that,” Guardiola added. “I promise you, it depends on him. Mentality, want more, do it again, do it again, be better in this department, I will live 24 hours for my game and for my profession. It depends on him, like all the players.”

Meanwhile, Khadija “Bunny” Shaw, who boasts 21 goals in the Women’s Super League, edged out Chelsea’s Lauren James, with the duo securing a combined 80 percent of the vote.

Jamaica international Shaw will miss City’s final two games of the Women’s Super League season due to a foot injury but is poised to clinch the top-scorer title in the WSL as Gareth Taylor’s side nears the championship.

“I am very proud and privileged to have received this award and to be recognized in this way is a special honor,” said Shaw, 27. “I want to also thank all of my teammates. They provide me with the chances to score goals and I could not have won this award without them.”