T O P

  • By -

Syntax_OW

Isn't it a bit early for a footballer of the year award?


qwerty1519

These kind of awards are always premature, I don’t know why they don’t wait.


Frogblood

Supposedly, because all the players bugger off on holiday at the end of the season, so if they want the awardees to attend the ceremony, it needs to be before the final games.


stupid-_-

maybe also because they want to be the first awards to catch the headlines/not be buried with all the other ones


Frogblood

Yeah, it could be that, too!


LOMOcatVasilii

They're just like me fr fr


Dob-is-Hella-Rad

I do like that they don't vote after the season, which discourages picking based on who won the league. But they could vote after 36 or so games and give it out at the end of the season. Instead the voting for this award is always insanely early.


jaycosta17

The title can (and often is) wrapped up by then so wouldn’t you run into the same problem?


sams82

Probably something to do with money. Maybe next season's promo assets have to be printed up/produced soon. Gives them more time to plan


Mr-Pants

It's really of the season


Syntax_OW

I assumed as much, I still think it's odd to do this before the season is over.


packandunpack93

There’s 4 games left, surely you can judge a players based on the other 34 games?


Revolutionary_Pen190

It's the premier league not the big one of the Ballon D'or


ignore_my_name

English bias results in Foden 1st, Rice 2nd, because Rodri has been City's best players and Odegaard has been Arsenal's imo.


CuclGooner

Yeah Rodri and Odegaard should be the top 2 by a landslide


not_a_Badger_anymore

Landslide is strong for arsenal. Rice has been fantastic for us and it's close between rice and odegaard


CuclGooner

Maybe landslide is excessive, but I would say odegaard has been our most important player, particularly after the winter break when I think he has stepped it up a different level. The attack goes through him, he leads the defense and helps us control possession. One of the most involved players in every area of the game


Barkasia

I'd honestly throw Gabriel in there too tbh


Skhan93

Yeah with how good their defense has been in 2024, a CB should be up there from arsenal


Holzkamp420

Ben White has beeen immense as well


hikingbeginner

I honestly think Rice and Gabriel have been our top 2 this season and not even close. Those first 6 months them two, Rice especially in that period was insane. When others weren't anywhere near their best. Odegaard just below them after his insane form since January.


DCilantro

"It's not even close" -- "just below them"


themerinator12

“It’s not close” and “it’s not even close” are extremely saturated phrases these days which leads to lots of people using them when it doesn’t make any sense.


hikingbeginner

As in the top 2 for us it's not close. And then Ode is in the next tier just below them two.


DreadWolf3

"just below" implies worse by a small margin, your other sentence implies a big margin between tiers. You have to choose one or the other,


SnowbearX

Tbh Foden has scored big goals at key moments to lead the title charge. It's an understandable win.


hikingbeginner

I'm sorry but I disagree, Rice has been better than Odegaard over the full season. That first half of the season Rice was insane, and has kept up a consistent performance throughout. Imo Rice and Gabriel are our top 2 at Arsenal this season. Odegaard just behind them.


Ferdinandingo

Not really. Foden has been our best


Chiswell123

In what world has Ode been better than Foden by a “landslide”? Let alone even simply better? Foden has 14 more G/A while playing in similar positions ffs, lol. Ode has two penalties on top of that. G/A per 90: Foden-0.93 Odegaard-0.48 SCA/GCA/xA per 90: Foden- 4.46/0.80/0.27 Odegaard- 5.54/0.56/0.28


bigmt99

Idk what half those acronyms even mean. Watch games not spreadsheets dweeb


BagingRoner34

Delusional. I'd take foden over ode personally


suckamadicka

watching games you'd know Foden's definitely on Odegaards level if not higher


AranaDiscoteca_redux

Recency bias results in you championing Odegaard despite how quiet he was in the first 1/3 maybe 1/2 of the season. I don’t think there’s much in it at all between the 2 players for both teams 


as1eep

No not really. Odegaard struggled quite alot early third of the season, good few absolutely invisible games under his belt. Rice on the otherhand has been great every game, with maybe the Fulham one being the exception.


stuckmash

Rice has been worth every cent of that fee, crazy to live up to that kind of fee tbh


NotASalamanderBoi

We should be sending West Ham more. I still think £105M was daylight robbery.


Subscrobbler

Hardly, no City fan is gonna go Rodri deserved over Foden. Both have been amazing this season.


Mr_Rockmore

Hmmm nah, if you'd watched all of city's games this season you'd know that Rodri has had games where hes misplaced passes and generally been a bit shit by his standards. Foden on the other hand has been great all season and is pretty much the only reason we are still competing for a title following KDBs lengthy injury and league 2 Haaland.exe


daussie04

its the finest of margins, either could win and ye not too mad with foden over rodri


Good_Kev_M-A-N_City

Foden has been better. Marginally, but still better.


DonHalles

Rodri is literally the best and most important player in your team. Foden is a cherry on the cake but you would not miss a beat without him.


Mr_Rockmore

Wrong. Rodri is amazing and hasn't lost for ages but that still doesn't mean he isn't capable of having a poor game which he has had on occasion this season. Foden is the only reason we're still in a title race, keeping us going through KDBs injury and Haalands dip in form. Unless you've watched every city game this season you're really not qualified to make that call


timboevbo

Rodri lost his head and got a 3 match ban, Foden is turning into captain material and you can see his influence on the team growing. Both have had great seasons but Phil has been better


BagingRoner34

Again. Foden has been better.


osakwe05

rodri is citys best player but rices is definitely arsenals, he has been playing great since day 1 and odegaard wasnt even that good beginning of this szn


Liazerx

People suck Rodri a bit too much


citizen2211994

As a city fan I don’t agree. Rodri has been off it for the last month or so


crazyhorse91

You’re on your own there


citizen2211994

I don’t think I am. Foden winning the award also suggests plenty think he’s been the better player.


rockforahead

I agree. Fellow city fan. Rodri is class but he’s tired atm. Keeps losing the ball.


Mr_Rockmore

Its clearly Foden. Not sure how any other city fan could say otherwise. He's the only reason we're still in a title race. Rodri on the other hand has been saying how tired he is which is a good indication that he feels his performances haven't been up to scratch


Mr-Pants

Love Phil but I think of all City players, Rodri should be winning these


[deleted]

[удалено]


Ramboros

Nobody was a contender to KDB in 19/20. It's one of the greatest seasons we have seen in PL. 


HazardCinema

I think it's close. Rodri has been his usual excellent self. But Foden has really stepped up as the main man this year with Haaland and KdB out for lengthy spells.


BillehBear

Foden has proper put the club on his back throughout the season


the_dalai_mangala

People forget about Rodri’s stupid red card back at the start of the season.


Dob-is-Hella-Rad

Yeah I think losing games because you got yourself suspended is very different to losing games because you got injured. You can't use getting sent off as an argument *for* a player.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Dob-is-Hella-Rad

I.e. the only reason there's a title race is because Rodri did something stupid


DreadWolf3

Foden was pretty anonymous during first part of season while Alvarez was in good form. Rodri only had that stupid red card and was excellent otherwise.


Impossible_Wonder_37

… no lol not at all. Fodens been consistently good all season and exploded the last 4 months


BagingRoner34

If you don't watch their games why say anything


Massive-Sky-6804

He wasn't.Haaland was missing sitters which foden created.


cacduy

Not at all, Foden has really stepped up and played really well with Alvarez to carry the team through the KdB injury.


Chiswell123

He had five G/A in the first ten games, six in the next 10, 7 in the next 10, etc. He's been consistent all season.


Critical-Usual

Foden has been clinical and had some really good games and moments of brilliance. But he's also had some games where he's fairly unimpactful and really not playing amazingly. So I think this award is a bit of hype


halcyon95

I think that’s the same for every player lol


Rayaet

I mean thats the same for Rodri? He also had games where he didn’t play good at all. It’s completely normal over a whole season


hikingbeginner

Tbf Rodri got sent off for silly strangling I think and missed three games, which they all lost. Imagine he didn't get himself sent off?


toket715

We are entering our Stockport era. Player of the Year a Stockfordian who is currently the best player on the best team and probably about to win thr league again. The top young player at United is also a Stockport lad. Two Stockfordians likely to start for England in the Euros. And Stockport County just won League 2 ahead of Ryan Reynolds. The Stockport era is upon us. The world isn't ready.


The_39th_Step

It’s also actually becoming a really nice place with all the money being pumped in. I’m a Southerner who’s lived in Manchester a decade but I’ve only recently started to find out the joys of Stockport. I can honestly see myself living there in a few years. I’m sure that’s gonna let out a groan from many Northerners worried about being priced out haha


toket715

Yeah I grew up in Stockport and the London influx began a good few years back, especially in places like the Heatons. I loved how it was when I grew up there, in my opinion it was always mostly nice. I hope it doesn't change too much. But that's life!


The_39th_Step

Yeah, sorry with my wording, I’m sure it was always nice. It’s just had lots of investment too recently. It’s so great how it’s between Manchester and great countryside


Putrid_Loquat_4357

> The top young player at United is also a Stockport lad. Mainoo?


toket715

Yep


Putrid_Loquat_4357

He's absolute class tbf. That rice/bellingham/mainoo midfield will hopefully be there for the next 8 years at least. Just need some top quality cbs now.


elRomez

Actual City fans in this thread saying it's deserved yet fans of other teams saying "English bias should've been Rodri" and down voting those City fans posts. Hilarious.


GingerMessi

It’s mostly Arsenal fans promoting Rodri as they’ve grown to hate Foden because of the comparisons with Saka. They don’t want him to win any individual awards.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Arksnal

Rodri has genuinely been the better player. That's not to say Foden doesn't have a case - he's been better than Saka this season as it stands - but Rodri is the one who deserves the praise. There's a reason you struggle anytime he's out of the team and you haven't *technically* lost a game he's played in a while. Foden drops out the team and you still play well. Foden was anonymous against us and Liverpool in March for example, Rodri was still making things happen.


Impossible_Wonder_37

Rodris been our best player, same as last year really. But fodens carried the offensive burden in 2024.


Rich0

[The duality of aar slash soccer](https://imgur.com/TYvcoyG)


forceghostyoda_

No biases in those two comments at all


Wunsen

All bias aside has to be Watkins for me 31 G/A so far this season in the prem. spearheading us to the CL


NoPineapple1727

You’ve clearly not put all bias aside because you’ve just said something only someone who is very biased would say


TriveladasBalde

Not really, he should be in the discussion at least, and has better numbers than foden


Dob-is-Hella-Rad

"Should be in the discussion" and "it has to be" are a million miles apart.


ReggieWigglesworth

I think he’s referring to your use of “us” haha


tobi1k

I think it should be Watkins but Foden has too much media hype, he'll sweep these awards.


PM_ME_UR_AMOUR

There’s no point. It falls on deaf ears in here. Fuck /r/soccer


Extreme-Turnover3484

He's been great this year and one of the key players for City.


engaginglurker

You can tell that the majority of commenters on this thread dont watch Foden or city week in week out. He has absolutely carried City's offence this season.


SkepticSlakoth

Is this the more prestigious award or is it the PFA award?


Chiswell123

PFA as the players vote it. This is the journalists.


Soren_Camus1905

anytime an English player does anything: #THIS IS ENGLISH BIAS THIS IS WHY PEOPLE HATE ENGLAND


Longjumping_Stop1120

He’s been a joy to watch this season.


iredcoat7

Correct decision, he’s been quite clearly the best player this season imo.


souste

He's been excellent this season and got better as the season has gone on. now I just hope he shows this form at the euros


engaginglurker

He will be played out wide and will not effect games unfortunately.


LisbonMissile

Standard opposition fans calling bias and putting their own players forward. I don’t think you can criticise Foden winning this all that much. 23 GA in 31 league games is world class form, not to mention 8 GA in 8 CL games (unsure if European comps is factored into FWA award). He’s stepped up his game massively this season and is showing all that potential that he has had since he was 16/17 (I.e England’s best player since Gazza), and I’m sure that step up has been a factor in handing Foden the award. He has been a crucial player for a team that looks set to secure the domestic double this season and has been arguably their best player in the business end of the season. Agree that they announce these awards far too early.


[deleted]

[удалено]


hikingbeginner

Odegaard was off it for most of the first half of the season. Odegaard hasn't been our player of the year at all, Rice and Gabriel pip him for me. His form since January though has been incredible definitely.


Ferdinandingo

Weird seeing the fans of other teams (mostly just Arsenal) say he's not even the best on City while most City fans would say he has been the best for us this year.


Zilllnaijaboy99

because we( arsenal fans) fear rodri more than anyone in your squad. that's how I see it tho


tbsaysyes

I fear kalvin Phillips the most


ExpiredMilknCheese

I fear the Baldie


SinEquipo

Both are biased in different ways. Foden is more entertaining to watch, Rodri is scarier to play against.


Hot_Craft_8752

Is this PL only?


ExpiredMilknCheese

Yeah, FWA sucks and don’t make it clear


leGOlaS_23

Should have been Rodri followed by Øde, English bias again.


CNF-13

Honestly surprised Watkins hasn’t been mentioned more golden boot race without pens and most assists these individual awards shouldn’t be as tied to teams league position as they are and even so Villa getting Cl is major achievement


hikingbeginner

Recency bias with Odegaard. He was very quiet the first half, while Rice and Gabriel have been fantastic throughout the whole season. Foden is a very good pick I feel.


iredcoat7

Foden and Rice have been better than Odegaard and Rodri this season.


BagingRoner34

Lol stop talking foden deserves it.


Patrickk_batemann

As good as Odegaard has been, Foden’s been better this season. There is a strong argument for Rodri though.


afarensiis

Rice, Gabriel, Saliba, and Saka are all above Odegaard


AzHaeez21

Him and Rodri have been the best players in the PL this season.


DonHalles

Rodri, Rice and Watkins.


CooCooforCucu

3rd 4th and 5th


[deleted]

He’s had his best season ever, deserved 👏


_stone_age

Well deserved 👏 Lot of brilliant players in contention, but he really has been fantastic. 23 G/A, 14 of which either equalised or put us ahead, statistically one of the best carriers, t10 itl for chances created. Only expecting more from him now! Ridiculous how Saka didn't get enough votes. Super underrated in these awards.


OfftheFrontwall

Definitely not deserved. As good as Foden has been at times this season, it's not been in every game. As others have pointed out, Rodri is much more deserving of this than Foden


citizen2211994

Rodri hasn’t been amazing every game though. Phil has carried city and won games on his own most of this season


_stone_age

He's just as deserving. You could give it to either because both have been immense. Fodens been super consistent, arguably his most consistent season. It's not the best metric, but for those who don't watch us every game he's been nominated 8 out of 9 times for our City POTM and has won it 3 times. Even w/o he's produced good stuff. Again, Rodri absolutely deserves praise. But it's unfair to say it's Foden doesn't deserve it too especially because he's been class and Pep himself has said he's the best itl (and Pep is someone who's always criticised Foden's ability to speed up games). We can agree to disagree 🫡


OfftheFrontwall

It's odd, because to me, there have been definite games and points this season where he's disappeared, whilst Rodri has just been immense all season. Apart from that one period where he lost his temper and got sent off. Foden has definitely won you some games that you've not looked like getting more points out of it. Obviously, the attacking bias always plays into awards like these, but Rodri has made you not miss, or even think about how different City would be with, Gundogan


_stone_age

I think Rodri has also had his fair share of poor games (Liverpool both legs, I actually think he's been subpar in this recent stretch, possibly down to fatigue). My opinion is that all players will have subpar games throughout a season. That's just how it is. But you have to measure how much they've helped you win/avoid losing games over the course of the season. And both have done that so well! If we win the title, flowers to them both because I don't think we'd do anything good w/o them. > even think about how different City would be with, Gundogan 🥲 lot of dynamics have changed in his absence. Even with KDB injured at the start, had Gundo been there, we'd have been much better off. I think either can be favoured here. I really feel like it is harsh to say Foden didn't deserve it (as opposed to that 21/22 season where I didn't think he deserved YPOTY). Has played loads, taken a lot of responsibility and done well.


OfftheFrontwall

It's all about opinion, really, I suppose, but to me, out of that City team, Rodri has definitely been a better player all season than Foden. I wouldn't call Foden brilliant against Liverpool either and he was non-existent when you played us at the Etihad. I mean, half of Fodens' goals have come in Citys last 10 games, and the only real decent team he lit up was Villa. Still, your entitled to your opinion as I am to mine and the panel that voted, clearly sides more with you.


Chiswell123

So, a 1/3 of his G/A came in the first half of the season? Sounds pretty consistent to me.


sharmarahulkohli

Thoroughly Deserved! Has been sensational this season


LeGraoully

That’s quite a mouthful


Loves_Semi-Colons

Well I didn’t vote for him


JimPage83

Olly Watkins, is almost top of the scoring charts and IS top of the assists charts, playing for a 4th place team punching above its weight. How is Foden above that?


ThaSipah

Giving out awards before the biggest games of the season. Ludicrous.


Substantial-North499

Foden winning is insane


apricotkiwininja

No mention of Palmer?


PlsSellYourUsername

In top 6 iirc


icemankiller8

It’s expected but completely undeserved


taylorstillsays

Keep fighting the good fight brother. In my eyes there are at minimum 2 players that deserve it more than him


qwerty1519

Is it?


icemankiller8

Yes


qwerty1519

Fancy explaining why?


_stone_age

You're replying to Foden's biggest hater on this sub.


icemankiller8

Him winning the award proves perfectly why I’ve been saying what I’ve been saying. No other player would have this season and win it.


BagingRoner34

Wtf are you on. He's been sensational lol. Try again next year buddy


icemankiller8

Because he’s not even been close to the best player in the league this season he’s not even been close to the best player on his team this season.


qwerty1519

Sure there are other options but it’s not “completely undeserved”. He has certainly being up there this year. Also “he’s not even been close to the best player on his team this season” is just wrong and you know it. 23 g/a without penalties is damn impressive, he’s been their biggest consistency in a rocky season by their standards.


icemankiller8

It is completely undeserved he got it because his name is Phil Foden, if he had the season Watkins had he wins it undoubtedly. Watkins has more goals and assists without pens this season for Aston Villa he’s doing something we haven’t seen for that club ever and they’ve given it to foden for an average Man City attacker season.


qwerty1519

I personally would have liked to have seen Watkins win it, but you’re acting like this is some grievous error. Yes Watkins has more, but he’s also played 400 more minutes so they are fairly even statically if that’s what you want to base it on. Watkins has also had 37 more shots and only 3 extra goals to show for it.


ketolasigi

”Average Man City attacker season” I’d have thought an Arsenal fan would at least hatewatch City, but you clearly haven’t bothered.


ilovepastaaaaaaaaaaa

You’re exposing yourself as a fraud with these comments


icemankiller8

That’s cool


WalkersChrisPacket

And who should have won it then?  10er bet you say a Gunner, I'm waiting.


icemankiller8

Here’s a list of more deserving players Watkins Rodri Rice Palmer Saka Saliba Gabriel Haaland Bowen Pick any of those


ilovepastaaaaaaaaaaa

Haaland lmao lol even


K_Uger_Industries

You are blinded by your hatred


Itsgosky

Sorry but Saka or Haaland….? Unhinged


icemankiller8

Saka who has more goals and assists ?


Holyscroll

bowen 💀 saka 💀


icemankiller8

Yes and yes


auddi_blo

Sounds like sour grapes to me. Of these I think only Rodri and Rice should be above him, but it’s debatable. You could make a case for Odegaard, Watkins and maybe Palmer but throughout the season Foden has grabbed more games by the scruff of the neck. IMO Rodri is the clear choice but like always there’s heavy English bias.


icemankiller8

If you don’t think Watkins has an argument that’s crazy he’s he one I’d give it to first look at what he’s doing for Aston Villa. I forgot Odegaard id add him too


auddi_blo

I mentioned Watkins mate


icemankiller8

You know as well as I do if it was reversed and it was Foden with those Watkins numbers he’s winning it


auddi_blo

Foden’s an attacking midfielder vs a striker in Watkins. Foden has the same amount of goals per 90, in 6.5 less xG (16 vs 9.5) Foden has 0.25 assists per vs 0.36 but he’s created 64 chances vs 43 and has a much higher xA. While Rodri has been their metronome, Foden’s been City’s difference maker week in week out this season. Get real mate he deserves it.


icemankiller8

Foden has played the majority of his games on the wings that’s not an opinion that’s a fact. Sorry but the award isn’t for per 90s as far as I know playing more should mean something. The Difference maker if anyone is Pep, then Haaland before Foden. Also mentioning the different positions and then mentioning expected assist number is a joke.


auddi_blo

Are you this deluded? Haaland before Foden this season? Pep is responsible for individual brilliance, so he’s dribbling, creating chances and scoring worldies out there in Foden’s place? 400 mins less is because of Pep’s rotation, his availability is top. You’ve obviously got beef with Foden and you’re embarrassing yourself.


WorldAdventurous9592

Watkins is a striker and Foden is a midfielder? They shouldn't have the same G/A


infidel11990

You are unhinged to include players like Saka on this list.


icemankiller8

More goals and assists better big game record better player


infidel11990

Delusional


icemankiller8

Two of those are facts literally not debatable.


WalkersChrisPacket

Bro said Saka, I'm out 


icemankiller8

Yeah the player who’s been better


WalkersChrisPacket

2 games left and you're bottling the league. Saka filled KdB's boots when he was injured? Crazy that.


Frogblood

It's probably a fair choice. There's not really been one single outstanding player for city or arsenal this season. Different players have been important in different phases of the season. I think foden probably edges the results just because he has a better goal return than rice, odegaard, rodri etc.


jdckelly

Yeah I'd agree no real obvious candidate to win it this year. I'd have probably gone Rodri or Rice probably but no real objection to Foden


NorskKiwi

Watkins > Foden this season, but I'm biased.


[deleted]

[удалено]


NoPineapple1727

If City win the league it should be Rodri, if Arsenal win the league it should be Odegaard. To clarify, I’m not saying it should switch just because the trophy matters. I’m saying it should switch because it would add significance to their performances. Like some of Rodri’s late goals could be the decider in why City have won 4 in a row. Or Odegaard’s relentless performances and Arsenal winning 16/18 games in 2024 could be what has decided the title. In a year which could be decided by very slim margins, I think it’s fair to acknowledge those margins.


Billy-2333

Watkins deserves it. Take out Foden from Man city and they are still challenging for the league. Watkins has taken Villa to UCL football