The English Football Thread

[NikkiCFC 8,081]

13 hours ago, Vesper said:

Daniel James on there is a joke, and Grealish turns 25 in September, so it is a stretch to call him a 'young' player IMHO.

I would have had Marcus Rashford (21/22 this season) and either James Maddison (22/23) or Richarlison (22, turns 23 in May)

 

Honourable mention (no order)

Tammy
Reece
Rodri
Declan Rice
Youri Tielemans
Gabriel Jesus
Rúben Neves    
Caglar Söyüncü    
Ismaïla Sarr
Diogo Jota

I also laugh when I saw D. James.

The other day they go over the top with praising Mount now James. 

They are good website but they live from subscriptions. I guess this is coming from... 

https://www.transfermarkt.com/stellar-football-ltd/beraterfirma/berater/190

[Vesper 29,202]

5 hours ago, NikkiCFC said:

I also laugh when I saw D. James.

The other day they go over the top with praising Mount now James. 

They are good website but they live from subscriptions. I guess this is coming from... 

https://www.transfermarkt.com/stellar-football-ltd/beraterfirma/berater/190

wow, so many players linked with us or already on the team at that link

 

Saúl Ñíguez    
Mason Mount   
Ibrahima Konaté   
Ben Chilwell  
Maxi Gómez   
Jack Grealish    
Jordan Pickford   <<< thank fuck we did not buy him, regardless of Kepa's struggles
Ruben Loftus-Cheek    
Thomas Strakosha    
Kieran Tierney 
Sergiño Dest   
Lewis Cook   
Lewis Dunk   
Joachim Andersen   
Unai Simón
Dean Henderson
Nick Pope   
Lloyd Kelly
Ezri Konsa   
Jayden Bogle
Billy Gilmour 
Juan Familia-Castillo 

[11Drogba 2,000]

 

[NikkiCFC 8,081]

Captain.

[Vesper 29,202]

On 22/04/2020 at 5:50 PM, NikkiCFC said:

Captain.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8249273/Extraordinary-rap-sheet-former-Liverpool-Senegal-winger-El-Hadji-Diouf.html

Now, Florent Sinama Pongolle has recalled the time the pair almost came to blows at half-time during a pre-season friendly, with Diouf asking then manager Gerard Houllier to tell Gerrard he'd 'fuck his mum' before adding: 'I'd do him in straight away.'

Their tit-for-tat exchanges continued long after Diouf moved to Bolton in 2005.

In his 2007 autobiography, Gerrard wrote: 'Diouf was just interested in himself. His attitude was all wrong. I felt he wasn't really a***d about putting his body on the line to get Liverpool back at the top.'

Diouf responded five years later, saying: 'Gerrard was jealous of me back then as I had the world at my feet. There's no one more selfish… he doesn't care about anyone else.

'Gerrard would rather Liverpool lost and he scored. The old Liverpool guys can't stand him.'

In 2015, Diouf was reported to have claimed on Senegalese radio that Gerrard 'has never liked black people' which the former Reds captain immediately rebuked.

And in 2017, in a BBC interview, Diouf took a swipe at Gerrard's international achievements. 'People like him in Liverpool but he never did anything for his country,' he said.

'I am Mr El Hadji Diouf, Mr Senegal but he is Mr Liverpool and Senegal is bigger than Liverpool and he has to know that.'

[Vesper 29,202]

The lockdown takeover: What Newcastle’s proposed new owners plan to do first

https://theathletic.com/1759832/2020/04/21/newcastle-takeover-bruce-charnley-transfers/

“We’ve been planning this for well over two years, on and off. All of those plans have effectively gone out of the window.”

This is not just the takeover of Newcastle United, this is the lockdown takeover. Although all of our lives have changed beyond recognition over the past few weeks, for those sketching out the existence of a football club beyond Mike Ashley’s ownership, it has presented challenges and obstacles that are without precedent. One person familiar with the deal compares it with “buying a house and then being told you can’t move in”.

The biggest of big pictures consumes all of us. Containing and coping with coronavirus is about far more than football, but as Newcastle supporters await official confirmation of Ashley’s departure and fantasise about what might happen next, there should be realism as well as excitement. As things stand, with government restrictions to remain in place “at least” until May 7 and probably longer, Amanda Staveley’s consortium will not be able to set foot in St James’ Park, let alone implement far-reaching changes.

Where do things stand? The Athletic has been told that all necessary documents have been exchanged between the two parties and that a deposit has been paid, with the Premier League now working through the owners’ and directors’ test, which effectively represents regulatory approval. Once that has been granted — it began around April 9 and they have been told it could take up to four weeks — completion of a £300 million sale becomes automatic. “There’s no stopping it now,” says one source, who insists that the owners’ and directors’ test has not yet raised any red flags.

There has been no public word from either party, although a detailed document lodged at Companies House last week presented for the first time the existence of an agreement between Ashley and Staveley. Given Ashley’s record of contentious decisions at Newcastle and his previous failures to sell the club, a section of the fans will not believe it until they see it and that cynicism is understandable as well as ingrained.

Yet there are no reservations from the people buying the club and preparations are underway accordingly, even if a lot of those preparations are, by necessity, being tweaked. As The Athletic reported at the end of last month, a board of directors is in place, with Staveley and her husband, Mehrdad Ghodoussi, joined by Jamie Reuben and Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). Staveley and the Reuben family will each own 10 per cent of the business, with PIF holding the remaining 80 per cent. Al-Rumayyan, below, would be chairman, but Staveley would have responsibility for running the club.

Ultimately, the aim is to transform Newcastle into a club capable of challenging in the upper echelons of the Premier League and to guide them back into European competition. The Reubens — worth £16.6 billion, according to the 2019 Sunday Times Rich List — already own property in the city and, along with the Saudis, further investment in the region forms part of their strategy. They view Newcastle in terms of its potential and hope to transform it into “the club of the North”. They will look to improve and enhance the training ground and academy.

For now, however, their impact can only be limited — current travel and social distancing measures mean that they cannot take physical ownership of the club. Staveley first attempted to buy Newcastle in the winter of 2017-18 and renewed those attempts around a year ago, so this is a long time coming, but with football and so much of normal life paused, a handover period will be necessary.

The Athletic has been told of a number of developments:

A mission statement is being worked on, which would be released either when the Premier League gives its approval or earlier (in the unlikely event that Ashley releases a statement of his own). This would set out the new ownership’s aspirations. Original plans had featured the block-booking of specific hotels in the city ahead of a media blitz but, for obvious reasons, that has now been shelved.

Newcastle’s non-playing staff would be taken off the government’s furlough scheme, mirroring U-turns already made by Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. Doing the right thing will be about more than words.
Lee Charnley, the managing director, will be asked to remain in his post for the time being, to coordinate the handover and maintain dialogue with the Premier League and other authorities over the coronavirus. In these exceptional circumstances, some form of continuity, however temporary, will be vital.

Steve Bruce would stay in charge of the first team. There has been no contact with the head coach, either officially or otherwise, but with nine games still to play this season (theoretically, at least), there is no need to make a decision on his future now. For all the speculation about the hiring of a more-illustrious manager — Rafa Benitez was an integral part of Staveley’s previous bid, but is now tied to a £12 million-a-season contract with Dalian Professional, the Chinese club — nobody is lined up. There is appreciation for the job Bruce has done and the way he has handled difficult circumstances, although whether he is the man to take Newcastle forward is another matter. In any case, potential candidates may become available in the summer. There is no rush.

Informal overtures have already been made to some supporters, former players and other key figures in the city. Staveley did this last time. After 13 years of limited communication between Ashley, the club and the wider community, this is another indication of change. There is a desire to make the club better and more in tune with its surroundings and history. That dialogue is taking place.
A gesture in support of the local NHS hospital is being considered. What form this would take is still to be decided.

A root and branch reform of Newcastle’s operation will take place. As part of the process of buying the club, Staveley’s group have conducted due diligence and studied the financial situation. In that sense, there should be no surprises. They do lack knowledge on how the club has made decisions and who takes on certain responsibilities. Do staff need to be supported? Will some need to be moved or replaced? What about contract negotiations? Notes and employment files will be released on takeover.

The same applies to other staffing decisions. They cannot make offers to people already in jobs or with contract notices to see out at other clubs until they are in situ.
They have already received contact from player agents. This is not surprising. But, again, too much is unknown, not least when the transfer window might reopen and what the market will look like when it does. Will financial fair play rules be relaxed? Will wages and fees be depressed? Two years ago, when she admitted to having financial backing from sovereign wealth funds, Staveley planned to invest £100 million on players over the first two transfer windows and the same again on infrastructure. But Saudi involvement and COVID-19 have changed the environment.

Remote meetings are being held regularly. This a long-term investment and there is an understanding that Newcastle will not be able to go toe-to-toe with Liverpool and Manchester City from the outset. What they can do is work quickly and work smartly, although how they do that efficiently with their complex ownership structure is not straightforward. Streamlining their decision-making is being discussed.

There is huge excitement about what they can do and how they can do it but, as with everything else, it is tempered by the coronavirus crisis. Staveley’s group have always had a clear idea about how they want Newcastle to look under their ownership, and yet that vision must now be a little more fluid.

Football, like society itself, may be forced to change beyond recognition and they are working to change with it.

 

Newcastle Takeover, Arteta Targets Defender & Young Player Award Shortlist

Mark Chapman and David Ornstein are joined by The Athletic's Senior North East football writer George Caulkin to bring the latest on the proposed takeover of Newcastle United.

David brings the detail behind Arsenal players and coaches agreeing to take a 12.5% cut to wages and the centre half targeted by Mikel Arteta once the transfer window opens.

Michael Cox & Tom Worville take a deep dive into the numbers that make Trent Alexander-Arnold a hot favourite to be crowned The Athletic's Young Player of the Year and counter with reasons why other players would also make worthy winners.

 

https://theathletic.com/podcast/144-the-ornstein-and-chapman-podcast/?episode=66

[Jase 43,479]

 

[milka 3,362]

 

[NikkiCFC 8,081]

 

Can someone explain to me why all this drama over money if league is going to resume? Clubs will not lose TV and sponsor money just money from tickets for 4 or 5 home games which is like 10m so no issue there.

[OneMoSalah 8,810]

1 hour ago, NikkiCFC said:

 

Can someone explain to me why all this drama over money if league is going to resume? Clubs will not lose TV and sponsor money just money from tickets for 4 or 5 home games which is like 10m so no issue there.

They will lose money because of empty stadiums. The amount of merchandise etc too that will be sold on match days too theyll lose that because nobody will be going to games. Lets not forget for weeks they havent been playing, the tv havent been showing games so the clubs will have suffered. Also they've been paying players in full, as well as on reduced pay as well as maintaining the jobs of their other staff and it is quite plain and simple as not every PL club is owned by a Sheikh or a Russian multi billionaire so their will still be a lot who will stand to lose still without match day revenue, merchandise, even things such as stadium tours and whatever else they do etc to boost their incomes. Why do you think there is talk of only 3 PL clubs being able to go and spend in the transfer market this summer if it opens? 

[Vesper 29,202]

Saturday April 25 2020 Football Nerd

Which teams are too easily penned in their own half? By Daniel Zeqiri Arsenal have struggled to play out from the back CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES Through football's coronavirus hiatus, we are committed to providing a weekly newsletter of facts, analysis and retrospectives. If there is a topic you want us to cover please email [email protected]. Above all, stay safe.     Few tactical concepts attract as much coverage as playing out from the back, the purpose of which is to draw opponents out of position and exploit the space they vacate - provided you play through the pressure accurately. The important word in that well-known piece of football jargon though, is 'out'. The aim is not to pass the ball endlessly in your own defensive third but to progress through the thirds once an opportunity presents itself. By looking at which Premier League teams spend most of their spells of possession in their own half, we can gain a strong impression of who excels at this and who struggles. It will come as little surprise that no team has played a smaller percentage of passes in their own half than Sean Dyche's Burnley at 37.8 per cent. However, Sheffield United have played exactly the same ratio despite favouring more considered build-up play. Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, said to be trailblazers for playing out from the back, only play 39.5 per cent of passes in their own half. The metric then, is not necessarily a measure of style but of effectiveness.     Teams are reluctant to press Man City too high for fear of leaving themselves exposed at the back, which means Guardiola's team can progress the ball beyond the halfway line with little effort. Runaway league leaders Liverpool have played the seventh lowest proportion of passes in their own half at 43.1 per cent. Two counter-attacking teams with fast forwards - Wolves and Bournemouth - are in the top five for playing a high proportion of passes in their own half. Neither attacking unit thrives when their team has too much final third possession against a deep defence. Arsenal, however, are a team that seek to control games through possession but are far too easily penned in. No team has played a higher proportion of passes inside their own half than their 51.5 per cent. Their intention to build play methodically is the correct one, but new coach Mikel Arteta needs to address their struggles to find midfielders in good positions higher up the pitch. Dani Ceballos, Granit Xhaka, Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torriera all like to drop deep and receive the ball from the centre-backs, leaving a chasm between the midfield and the forwards. If Arteta wants to replicate the football played by his mentor Guardiola, Arsenal's percentage of passes in their own half needs reducing by 10 per cent or more.

[Jase 43,479]

 

[Tomo 21,736]

12 hours ago, Vesper said:

Saturday April 25 2020 Football Nerd

Which teams are too easily penned in their own half? By Daniel Zeqiri Arsenal have struggled to play out from the back CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES Through football's coronavirus hiatus, we are committed to providing a weekly newsletter of facts, analysis and retrospectives. If there is a topic you want us to cover please email [email protected]. Above all, stay safe.     Few tactical concepts attract as much coverage as playing out from the back, the purpose of which is to draw opponents out of position and exploit the space they vacate - provided you play through the pressure accurately. The important word in that well-known piece of football jargon though, is 'out'. The aim is not to pass the ball endlessly in your own defensive third but to progress through the thirds once an opportunity presents itself. By looking at which Premier League teams spend most of their spells of possession in their own half, we can gain a strong impression of who excels at this and who struggles. It will come as little surprise that no team has played a smaller percentage of passes in their own half than Sean Dyche's Burnley at 37.8 per cent. However, Sheffield United have played exactly the same ratio despite favouring more considered build-up play. Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, said to be trailblazers for playing out from the back, only play 39.5 per cent of passes in their own half. The metric then, is not necessarily a measure of style but of effectiveness.     Teams are reluctant to press Man City too high for fear of leaving themselves exposed at the back, which means Guardiola's team can progress the ball beyond the halfway line with little effort. Runaway league leaders Liverpool have played the seventh lowest proportion of passes in their own half at 43.1 per cent. Two counter-attacking teams with fast forwards - Wolves and Bournemouth - are in the top five for playing a high proportion of passes in their own half. Neither attacking unit thrives when their team has too much final third possession against a deep defence. Arsenal, however, are a team that seek to control games through possession but are far too easily penned in. No team has played a higher proportion of passes inside their own half than their 51.5 per cent. Their intention to build play methodically is the correct one, but new coach Mikel Arteta needs to address their struggles to find midfielders in good positions higher up the pitch. Dani Ceballos, Granit Xhaka, Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torriera all like to drop deep and receive the ball from the centre-backs, leaving a chasm between the midfield and the forwards. If Arteta wants to replicate the football played by his mentor Guardiola, Arsenal's percentage of passes in their own half needs reducing by 10 per cent or more.

If our two games vs them is anything to go by Arteta is more Simeone than Pep. 

[MoroccanBlue 5,320]

That table is a better representation of who hoofs it out from the back vs those that try to play it out. 

 

[Vesper 29,202]

The Athletic EPL and WSL Player of the Year Awards: The Winners

https://theathletic.com/1776336/2020/04/26/debruyne-liverpool-england-mancity-wsl-premier-league/

With the season in limbo, The Athletic held our own awards night for the 2019-20 season.

Here’s the full list of winners — let us know what you think in the comments below…

Men’s Player of the Year: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)

The Athletic’s Stuart James says: “Sixteen assists and eight goals — they’re the headline statistics and mean that Kevin De Bruyne has been directly involved in more Premier League goals than any other player this season. Not that you need numbers to appreciate his talent. He’s been a joy to watch, full stop.

“That he’s played so consistently in a City team that has been well below its best, struggling to hang onto Liverpool’s coat-tails, makes De Bruyne’s performances all the more impressive. I think De Bruyne has been the standout individual in the Premier League this season.”

The shortlist: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Sadio Mane (Liverpool), Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool), Jamie Vardy (Leicester)

Read more: Kevin De Bruyne’s corridor of certainty — ranking his top 10 assists for City.

 

Women’s Player of the Year: Bethany England (Chelsea)

The Athletic’s Michael Cox says: “Fourteen goals in 15 games speaks for itself. Her aggressive sprinting in the channels and calmness in front of goal make her formidable in full flow. So many highlights: the chip up and shot to turn the crucial home game against Arsenal, the Bergkamp-esque control and finish of a Millie Bright diagonal ball away at Birmingham, and the classic strike partnership play with Sam Kerr against Reading. Kerr’s the bigger name but England is still leading the line. It’s crazy to think that when Ellen White was out injured at the start of this season, there was any question whatsoever about who should play up front for England.”

The shortlist: Rachel Furness (Liverpool), Sophie Ingle (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Everton), Vivienne Miedema (Arsenal), Guro Reiten (Chelsea)

Read more: Ninety minutes watching Bethany England

---

Men’s Young Player of the Year: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)

Liverpool writer James Pearce says: “Trent Alexander-Arnold has played a starring role in propelling Liverpool to the brink of Premier League title glory. Rock-solid defensively, the dynamic young right-back has also provided the ammunition for Jurgen Klopp’s potent front three to fire with his pin-point deliveries from out wide. Remarkably, with 12 assists, he has already equalled the Premier League record for most assists from a defender which he set a year ago. He has also chipped in with two goals. In terms of elite young talent in the top-flight, he’s in a class of his own.”

The shortlist: Tammy Abraham (Chelsea), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), James Maddison (Leicester), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)

Read more: Trent Alexander-Arnold exclusive: 15 moments that have shaped my career

---

Women’s Young Player of the Year: Lauren James (Manchester United Women)

The Athletic’s Harriet Drudge says: “Lauren James is one of the most exciting young talents in the country who will undoubtedly go on to represent the Lionesses in the not-too-distant future. The 18-year-old scored Manchester United Women’s first goal in the Women’s Super League in their 2-0 win against Liverpool in September — a few months before signing her first professional contract with the club. Manager Casey Stoney says the teenager is an ‘exceptional talent’ and ‘one of the most technically gifted players’ she has worked with. She is and will continue to be one to watch.”

The shortlist: Chloe Kelly (Everton), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Ebony Salmon (Bristol City), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City), Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea)

Read more: ‘Don’t be nice, you want it more than them’ – a day with Manchester United Women

---

Men’s Team of the Year

Read more: An almost worryingly deep dive into the PFA Team of the Year award

---

Women’s Team of the Year

The Athletic’s Michael Cox says: “So, the obvious thing here is that 10 players come from the top three. There’s been a very clear ‘split’ in the WSL this season — none of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City have lost to any of the other nine sides. The exception is Reading’s Farah Williams. Although she’s England’s record caps holder, she hasn’t been part of the England squad for a while so she deserves great credit for still proving herself in the WSL.

“Gemma Bonner hasn’t been in the Professional Footballers’ Association team of the year since 2014, but her selection ahead of club team-mate Steph Houghton shows who Manchester City’s defensive leader has been this season. Magdalena Eriksson has had a tremendous campaign at the heart of the Chelsea defence — a solid defender with a lovely left foot, a proper leader and hugely respected for her intelligence off the pitch as well as on it.”

Read more: Inside Miedema’s mind: Arsenal striker on how she scored five of her greatest goals

---

Men’s Goal of the Season: Son Heung-min (Tottenham)

Tottenham writer Charlie Eccleshare says: “A deserved winner from a 5-0 battering of Burnley that was comfortably one of Spurs’ most enjoyable games of the season. When Son picked the ball up, there were 90 yards and seven Burnley players between him and the opposition goal. Fifteen seconds later the ball was in the back of the net after Son showed astonishing acceleration to hurtle his way past more than half of the Burnley team. As long-range dribbles go, it has to be one of the best in Premier League history.”

Runner-up: Kevin De Bruyne (versus Newcastle United)

Read more: Why there is no better time for Son Heung-min to learn to be a marine

---

Underrated Player of the Year: Danny Ings (Southampton)

Southampton writer Carl Anka says: “If you combined Roberto Firmino’s endless running with Jamie Vardy’s ‘chat nonsense, suffer consequences’ approach to shooting, you would get some idea of what Danny Ings has been doing in 2019-20. The striker turned his first injury-free season in ages into a banner campaign where, for a few months at least, he was the most irresistible striker in Europe. Left foot, right foot, headers — Ings was undeniable during a winter run that saw him bag 13 league goals and transform Southampton from relegation candidates to a Europa League threat. My colleague Jack Lang called him “the middle-ranking deity walking among mortals” but, to me, he’s just awesome.”

The nominees: Fred (Manchester United), Raul Jimenez (Wolves), Ricardo Pereira (Leicester City)

Read more: Danny Ings — Southampton’s Player of the Year

[edetarod 2,155]

On this day, 6 years ago football was saved.

Happy Demba Ba day everyone.

 

 

[NikkiCFC 8,081]

17 minutes ago, edetarod said:

On this day, 6 years ago football was saved.

Happy Demba Ba day everyone.

 

 

 

[MoroccanBlue 5,320]

3 hours ago, Vesper said:

The Athletic EPL and WSL Player of the Year Awards: The Winners

https://theathletic.com/1776336/2020/04/26/debruyne-liverpool-england-mancity-wsl-premier-league/

With the season in limbo, The Athletic held our own awards night for the 2019-20 season.

Here’s the full list of winners — let us know what you think in the comments below…

Men’s Player of the Year: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)

The Athletic’s Stuart James says: “Sixteen assists and eight goals — they’re the headline statistics and mean that Kevin De Bruyne has been directly involved in more Premier League goals than any other player this season. Not that you need numbers to appreciate his talent. He’s been a joy to watch, full stop.

“That he’s played so consistently in a City team that has been well below its best, struggling to hang onto Liverpool’s coat-tails, makes De Bruyne’s performances all the more impressive. I think De Bruyne has been the standout individual in the Premier League this season.”

The shortlist: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Sadio Mane (Liverpool), Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool), Jamie Vardy (Leicester)

Read more: Kevin De Bruyne’s corridor of certainty — ranking his top 10 assists for City.

 

Women’s Player of the Year: Bethany England (Chelsea)

The Athletic’s Michael Cox says: “Fourteen goals in 15 games speaks for itself. Her aggressive sprinting in the channels and calmness in front of goal make her formidable in full flow. So many highlights: the chip up and shot to turn the crucial home game against Arsenal, the Bergkamp-esque control and finish of a Millie Bright diagonal ball away at Birmingham, and the classic strike partnership play with Sam Kerr against Reading. Kerr’s the bigger name but England is still leading the line. It’s crazy to think that when Ellen White was out injured at the start of this season, there was any question whatsoever about who should play up front for England.”

The shortlist: Rachel Furness (Liverpool), Sophie Ingle (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Everton), Vivienne Miedema (Arsenal), Guro Reiten (Chelsea)

Read more: Ninety minutes watching Bethany England

---

Men’s Young Player of the Year: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)

Liverpool writer James Pearce says: “Trent Alexander-Arnold has played a starring role in propelling Liverpool to the brink of Premier League title glory. Rock-solid defensively, the dynamic young right-back has also provided the ammunition for Jurgen Klopp’s potent front three to fire with his pin-point deliveries from out wide. Remarkably, with 12 assists, he has already equalled the Premier League record for most assists from a defender which he set a year ago. He has also chipped in with two goals. In terms of elite young talent in the top-flight, he’s in a class of his own.”

The shortlist: Tammy Abraham (Chelsea), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), James Maddison (Leicester), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)

Read more: Trent Alexander-Arnold exclusive: 15 moments that have shaped my career

---

Women’s Young Player of the Year: Lauren James (Manchester United Women)

The Athletic’s Harriet Drudge says: “Lauren James is one of the most exciting young talents in the country who will undoubtedly go on to represent the Lionesses in the not-too-distant future. The 18-year-old scored Manchester United Women’s first goal in the Women’s Super League in their 2-0 win against Liverpool in September — a few months before signing her first professional contract with the club. Manager Casey Stoney says the teenager is an ‘exceptional talent’ and ‘one of the most technically gifted players’ she has worked with. She is and will continue to be one to watch.”

The shortlist: Chloe Kelly (Everton), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Ebony Salmon (Bristol City), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City), Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea)

Read more: ‘Don’t be nice, you want it more than them’ – a day with Manchester United Women

---

Men’s Team of the Year

Read more: An almost worryingly deep dive into the PFA Team of the Year award

---

Women’s Team of the Year

The Athletic’s Michael Cox says: “So, the obvious thing here is that 10 players come from the top three. There’s been a very clear ‘split’ in the WSL this season — none of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City have lost to any of the other nine sides. The exception is Reading’s Farah Williams. Although she’s England’s record caps holder, she hasn’t been part of the England squad for a while so she deserves great credit for still proving herself in the WSL.

“Gemma Bonner hasn’t been in the Professional Footballers’ Association team of the year since 2014, but her selection ahead of club team-mate Steph Houghton shows who Manchester City’s defensive leader has been this season. Magdalena Eriksson has had a tremendous campaign at the heart of the Chelsea defence — a solid defender with a lovely left foot, a proper leader and hugely respected for her intelligence off the pitch as well as on it.”

Read more: Inside Miedema’s mind: Arsenal striker on how she scored five of her greatest goals

---

Men’s Goal of the Season: Son Heung-min (Tottenham)

Tottenham writer Charlie Eccleshare says: “A deserved winner from a 5-0 battering of Burnley that was comfortably one of Spurs’ most enjoyable games of the season. When Son picked the ball up, there were 90 yards and seven Burnley players between him and the opposition goal. Fifteen seconds later the ball was in the back of the net after Son showed astonishing acceleration to hurtle his way past more than half of the Burnley team. As long-range dribbles go, it has to be one of the best in Premier League history.”

Runner-up: Kevin De Bruyne (versus Newcastle United)

Read more: Why there is no better time for Son Heung-min to learn to be a marine

---

Underrated Player of the Year: Danny Ings (Southampton)

Southampton writer Carl Anka says: “If you combined Roberto Firmino’s endless running with Jamie Vardy’s ‘chat nonsense, suffer consequences’ approach to shooting, you would get some idea of what Danny Ings has been doing in 2019-20. The striker turned his first injury-free season in ages into a banner campaign where, for a few months at least, he was the most irresistible striker in Europe. Left foot, right foot, headers — Ings was undeniable during a winter run that saw him bag 13 league goals and transform Southampton from relegation candidates to a Europa League threat. My colleague Jack Lang called him “the middle-ranking deity walking among mortals” but, to me, he’s just awesome.”

The nominees: Fred (Manchester United), Raul Jimenez (Wolves), Ricardo Pereira (Leicester City)

Read more: Danny Ings — Southampton’s Player of the Year

Grealish? Christ