Phil Foden has been named the 2023/24 EA Sports Player of the Season.
Foden, just 23, has been a key part of a Manchester City side that is one win away from becoming the first team in history to win four consecutive Premier League titles.
He has directly contributed to 25 goals in 34 Premier League matches, scoring 17 goals and setting up 8 goals. He helped Man City move two points clear of Arsenal at the top on the final day.
„Winning this award is an achievement I am very proud of,” Foden said Official website of Man City.
„The Premier League is recognized as the greatest league in the world and it’s great to be nominated with so many great players, all of whom have enjoyed special seasons for their clubs.”
The England star has played both centrally and on the wing and has played minutes in the Man City outfield this season, missing more than half of City’s matches in the absence of injured playmaker Kevin De Bruyne.
In March, Man City manager Pep Guardiola called him „the best player in the Premier League”, and if City beat West Ham United on the final day, Foden will become the youngest player to win six Premier League titles.
It is the fifth successive campaign that a Man City star has been named EA Sports Player of the Season. Holland won it last season, De Bruyne won it in 2019/20 and 2021/22 and Ruben Diaz won it in 2020/21.
See: Every EA Sports Player of the Season
Foden won the award for the first time in his career. He tops an eight-man shortlist that includes Holland, Alexander Isak, Martin Odegaard, Cole Palmer, Declan Rice, Virgil van Dijk and Ollie Watkins, after the public’s vote was combined with a panel of football experts.
What the team members are saying
Some members of the Premier League Awards panel reveal why they voted for Foden.
Alan Shearer is the all-time leading PL goalscorer
„His performance this season has gone to another level with more goals and assists. He is an integral part of a great team.”
Mark Schwarzer, former goalkeeper
„Bill Foden has developed into one of the most exciting and great footballers on the planet. You always feel the impossible is possible when he’s on the ball and he mesmerises you when he goes past defenders. Who wouldn’t want to. Watch this guy play football?”
Lynsey Hipgrave, Broadcaster, TNT Sports
„Phil has been the star player in a team that exudes talent, which is no easy feat. He takes his game to another level, creates big moments and decides games. Now we can all see why Pep Guardiola once said he is. He is the most talented player we have ever seen.”
Glenn Hoddle, former player and manager
„What a talent he is. I first saw him as a 17-year-old and then I told him City have a fantastic talent on their hands. I’m sure he will play a huge part in England’s challenge to win Euro 2024.”
John Cross, journalist
„An absolute joy to watch. He has taken his game to new heights. I love the way he has stepped up and taken on more responsibility this season after Erling Holland and Kevin De Bruyne were out injured and Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan left last summer. He is a homegrown talent who has come through the academy and is an inspiration to the younger players. The club meant everything to him.
„Całkowity introwertyk. Nieprzejednany specjalista od sieci. Przyjazny fanatyk bekonu. Student ekstremalnych. Miłośnik piwa. Organizator.”