7 months ago
114 Alan Shearer has now admitted that he’d choose both an Arsenal and Liverpool player before Phil Foden for Player of the Season.
Yes, we are now getting to that point of the season in which conversations will begin as to who could take Erling Haaland’s crown.
The Manchester City attacker deservedly won the Player of the Season award last campaign having scored a remarkable 36 goals across the title-winning season.
However, it seems as if the Norwegian, who is still leading the way for the Golden Boot, may not retain his award.
Given their dominance of the league for so many years, a Man City player has been crowned Player of the Season every year since Virgil van Dijk won the award back in the 2018/19 season.
Since then, Kevin De Bruyne has won it twice with Ruben Dias also joining Erling Haaland in winning the accolade.
And whilst some may think Phil Foden could be in line to continue that dynasty this season, Alan Shearer had other ideas.
Alan Shearer says William Saliba or Virgil van Dijk deserve to win Player of the Season
Speaking on ‘The Rest Is Football’ podcast, Shearer admitted he’d be handing the award to either an Arsenal or Liverpool centre-back right now.
The pundit said he was torn between William Saliba or Virgil van Dijk for the award, and steered away from Gary Lineker’s suggestion of Phil Foden.
Shearer initially said: “I went with two , and no I didn’t say [Phil] Foden, I went with Saliba or Van Dijk at the minute.”
Lineker replied: “What! You’re a centre-forward, you’ve gone for two centre-halves.
“I love them both, two brilliant defenders but the games gone if we have a season like this and you give it to a stopper.”
Shearer: “I mean if Arsenal win it, he’ll [Saliba] will get it [the award].”
Of course, an Arsenal player hasn’t won the award since the 2005/06 season when Thierry Henry took it for the second time.
And given how close the competition is this season, it feels as if the winner will ultimately be decided by who of Arsenal, Liverpool or Manchester City wins the title.
In line with the conversation detailed above, it feels as if Foden, Saliba or Van Dijk will be the three candidates depending on which way the title-race swings.
Perhaps even including the likes of Martin Odegaard or Rodri or Bukayo Saka.
All that being said, Rio Ferdinand has just admitted that he’s now desperate for one team to win the Premier League.
The post 'I didn't say Foden': Alan Shearer names Arsenal and Liverpool duo who could win Player of the Season appeared first on TBR Football.
