Foden named football writers’ player of the year

Phil Foden, Manchester City midfielder, has won the Football Writers’ Association’s Men’s Footballer of the Year (FOTY) award.

The association announced the English attacker as the winner in a statement on Friday.

Foden received 42% of votes from the association’s almost 900 members.

The 23-year-old battled a strong field of nominees, winning the award ahead of Arsenal’s Declan Rice and Rodri, his Man City teammate. Martin Odegaard, Ollie Watkins and Cole Palmer make up the top six.

Foden replaces Erling Haaland as the new winner of the individual honour. He is also the third Man City player to win the award in four years.

Foden has scored 24 goals and provided 10 assists in 50 appearances in all competitions for Man City this season.

Speaking to the association’s media, the Stockport-born attacker stated his happiness for the huge honour while thanking his teammates and Pep Guardiola, the club’s manager, for the “help”.

“Being named the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year is a huge honour. I’m very, very happy to receive this award but I could not have done it without the help of my teammates. We have a very special squad of players at City, and I’m privileged to be a part of that group.

“I want to thank all my teammates, as well as Pep and the coaches, for all the support and advice they have given me.

“I strive to be the best that I can be every single day, and that is all down to the way the manager and my colleagues always seek to improve and get better.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who voted for me, as well as my fellow nominees.”

Khadija Shaw of the Manchester City women’s team was voted for the women’s FOTY award category.

The duo will be honoured at the Footballer of the Year dinner in London on May 16.