Foden, Rodri, Van Dijk, Watkins - Premier League player of the year decided
Pep Guardiola is in no doubt, but what about everyone else?
The Manchester City boss needed no invitation to crown Phil Foden as the best player in the Premier League after his double downed Manchester United in Sunday's derby, with City's 3-1 win ramping up the title pressure on Liverpool ahead of next weekend's meeting at Anfield.
But is Pep right? Is Foden really the division's best player this season? Or does the answer to that question come from elsewhere in his own team? Or from Liverpool's defence? Or Aston Villa's attack? Or somewhere else?
We asked the Mirror Football team who they think has been the standout player of the season so far, and the response was varied.
David McDonnell - Phil Foden
Pep Guardiola is spot-on – Phil Foden has been the Premier League's best player this season. His Manchester City team-mate Erling Haaland may have scored more goals – 27 to Foden's 18 – but the England star has been their most consistent performer, keeping them on course for a repeat of last season's historic Treble.
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It's not just the number of goals Foden has plundered this season, which is a career-best for him, that marks him out as the player of the season in the Premier League, but the significance of them.
Foden's brace inspired Manchester City in the Manchester derby (Nigel Keene/ProSports/REX/Shutterstock)His double in Sunday's Manchester derby ultimately turned the game in City's favour, while a week earlier his solitary goal proved enough to win at Bournemouth. A Foden hat-trick at Brentford last month saw City come from behind to win 3-1, to keep the pressure on leaders Liverpool, and his goal sparked another comeback at Everton to win by the same scoreline two days after Christmas. Foden also has 10 assists to his name this season.
His derby-winning display was underpinned by a remorseless work ethic off the ball, never more so than in the 89th minute when, with City leading 2-1, he sprinted back 50 yards to dispossess Antony, his hunger and desire earning the acclaim of the crowd and his manager.
Goals, assists and a relentless work-rate – Foden has become the complete player at the age of just 23 and has developed into one of the best players in Europe, not just the Premier League, on current form.
Who is your Premier League player of the season? Vote in the poll at the bottom of the article and
John Cross - Rodri
Rodri has been superb for Manchester City yet again (ASH ALLEN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)In an ideal world, the Player of the Year should come from the team which wins the title or the most trophies. That is why, as it stands, I think my vote will be from Rodri, Phil Foden or Virgil van Dijk. Maybe even Declan Rice at a stretch.
Sorry to sit so horribly on the fence. But I always want to choose from the champions and my current favourite is Rodri. I think he is having an incredible season. Is a truly brilliant and, often, unappreciated player. He is closely followed by Foden who is having the season of his life.
Van Dijk would be the choice for Liverpool. He’s a symbol of the team which is trying to ensure Jurgen Klopp finishes his career at Anfield in great style. He’s been incredible.
Similarly, I think Rice has been brilliant at Arsenal and he would be my choice if they do it. I’ll leave it as late as possible. Erling Haaland was such an obvious winner last year but it’s so open this time.
Trust me, as someone who once voted for Scott Parker in the Football Writers’ Association version, it’s not a great look a few years later. Parker had a great season, but still… That’s why I went for Sam Kerr despite a few groans last year. And that didn’t turn out too badly.
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Sam Meade - Rodri
They never lose with him and they struggle to win without him. Rodri is yet to taste defeat this season and he continues to be the heartbeat for this champion City side. All three of their losses have come when he's been suspended as the Spaniard continues to prove himself as the game's most influential midfield anchor.
Rodri's influence has grown with time in Manchester and, after etching his name into the club's history books in the Champions League final, the Spaniard has continued to be as integral as ever. His work in breaking up play and starting attack is well documented, but he more than has an eye for goal.
He came up with a late winner early in the season at Sheffield United, one of his six league goals. Him winning any Player of the Year award is likely dependent on City claiming the title, but he's as influential as any player in the top flight.
Neil Moxley - Ollie Watkins
Ollie Watkins has had the season of his life at Aston Villa (Chris Foxwell/ProSports/REX/Shutterstock)For me, Ollie Watkins just shades it over Virgil van Dijk - although there's no denying that Phil Foden keeps dragging Manchester City out of sticky situations - always the sign of a quality performer.
However, Watkins is second in the goalscoring charts by two goals to Erling Haaland, and with over ten assists in the Premier League, he's been chiefly responsible for finding the goals that have enabled Villa to maintain their push for the Champions League.
He received a big thumbs-up from the Match of the Day crew on Saturday night but those who have watched him regularly know that he has been front and centre ever since Unai Emery walked into Villa Park 16 months ago.
I did think Dominic Solanke was the next cab off the rank behind Harry Kane for England. But Watkins' confidence, form and availability - plus he's a pretty grounded individual - make him a worthwhile understudy.
Van Dijk's importance to Liverpool may weigh heavily come the end of the season. But it's always been easier to destroy than create and that, for me, gives Watkins the edge.
Kieran King - Ollie Watkins
With 16 goals and 10 assists in the Premier League this season, Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins is my shout for the player of the year.
Only Erling Haaland (18) has scored more than Watkins in the top flight, while he is level alongside Pascal Gross (10) and Kieran Trippier (10) in the assist category. He has already reached a career-high in the Premier League in both categories and it would not surprise me if he tallies a combined 40 before the end of the season.
And Villa might need him to do that if they want to qualify for the Champions League. Unai Emery's side sit fourth, five points ahead of fifth-place Tottenham and 11 above Manchester United in sixth. Without Watkins, there is no doubt Villa wouldn't be where they are.
Watkins is that important to them, and for me, that would put him further ahead of the likes of Erling Haaland, Bukayo Saka and Virgil van Dijk. Rodri is the only other player that would come close as he is irreplaceable and Manchester City are nowhere near as successful without him, but Watkins pips him to the post with my vote.
Mark Jones - Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk has been back to his best this season (AFP via Getty Images)He's the captain of the team top of the league and scored the goal which settled the first cup final of the season so it really shouldn't be a surprise that Virgil van Dijk is in the running for player of the year.
But when you consider the injury and poor form he's come back from - "They said I was finished", as he said in the dressing room at Wembley - and his role as the figurehead of this new Liverpool team which has evolved far quicker than anyone has imagined then his case becomes compelling.
Yes Rodri has that incredible record and Phil Foden has thrived since switching to the right - he only scored two in his first 14 appearances of the season - but it's always more about the team at Manchester City, and only Ollie Watkins has put in the level of personal displays Van Dijk has. The Dutchman already has one trophy to show for it, and more could be on the way.
Alan Smith - Rodri
The award will go to a player from the league winners but as it stands it must be Rodri again.
One look at Manchester City’s record without him and the case should be closed. He is the world’s best midfielder in the world’s best team and has already eclipsed his number of goal involvements (11) compared to last season’s Treble triumph.
There are plenty who are more eye-catching performers – not least in his own side – and he is not typically one for social media reels created for those with short attention spans. But there is an aura, an air of dominance to his play that does not even always shine through on TV. It is only when watching him up close and in the flesh that he can be fully appreciated.
Simon Bird - Ollie Watkins
Which player, above all others, has made things happen at the highest level for their club in the league, and been a huge part of their season so far? He may not be challenging for titles and cups, but I’d go for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins.
He’s having a dynamite campaign and confirming himself as one of Europe’s best… and England’s successor to Harry Kane.
Watkins is second in the Premier League goal scoring charts with 16, just two behind Erling Haaland. And he’s also equal top of the assist charts with Pascal Gross and Kieran Trippier. He’s laid on ten goals for his team mates, so that’s 26 goal involvements. Pace, finishing power, movement, Watkins is a torment to rival clubs. He’s No. 1 to rival or replace Kane if the national skipper dips or gets injured.
Where would Villa be without him? Certainly not making a powerful charge for the Champions League. They may be worried about a £100m move from the European big guns in the summer.
David Anderson - Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk's goal won Liverpool the Carabao Cup (Andrew Fosker/REX/Shutterstock)As impressive as Phil Foden’s stats are, Virgil van Dijk is a more worthy shout as Player of the Year.
Foden is having a fantastic season, but he’s playing for a brilliant team with so many outstanding supporting members. Van Dijk has revelled in captaining Liverpool since Jordan Henderson left and makes everyone around him better.
Ibrahima Konate continues to develop beside him, while Jarell Quansah has come from nowhere this season to establish himself as a proper first-team player, partly because of his guidance. Van Dijk is playing as well as ever and has that wonderful blend of character, experience and ability.
He doesn’t just score goals, he scores huge goals and his equaliser against Luton a fortnight ago, ignited Liverpool’s charge.
Then there was his huge goal against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup Final when he achieved the unique distinction of having headed two winners in the same final because his first was dubiously disallowed.
He is the main reason why Liverpool have the second best defence in the Premier League, better even than Manchester City’s. Whenever Liverpool need someone to step up, he does that and he never goes missing.
Who is your Premier League player of the season? Vote in the poll at the bottom of the article and
Simon Mullock - Rodri
Rodri hasn't lost a game for over a year (Javier Garcia/REX/Shutterstock)Rodri isn’t just the player of this year. He’s the player of ANY year. The Spanish midfielder’s record of not losing a game for Manchester City in his last 59 appearances over the last 13 months illustrates his importance.
In that time, City have won the Premier League for the third successive season, the Champions League, FA Cup, Club World Cup and European Super Cup. And the man who is meant to be a defensive midfielder also scored the goal that made the Blues European champions.
Throw in the fact that he was named player of the tournament when Spain lifted the Nations League last summer and it only adds to his lustre. When Rodri is missing, City are beatable. No other player in the Premier League has that stature.
Andy Dunn - Ollie Watkins
Ollie Watkins has been involved in 26 goals in 27 Premier League games this season (Getty Images)Before a rare injury lay-off, Mohamed Salah was building yet another case for the top individual honours and if he returns and inspires Liverpool to multiple trophies, then he could be the season’s main man.
Salah’s team-mate, Virgil van Dijk, has been consistently excellent and the same can be said of Arsenal defensive duo, Gabriel and William Saliba, who have also chipped in with useful goals. But defenders seldom get awards so Bukayo Saka probably has a better chance of being recognised at the end-of-campaign dinners.
He would be a worthy recipient as would a player not operating for one of the powerhouses but enjoying a stellar season. Step forward, Dominic Solanke.
The Bournemouth forward would be a left-field choice while Phil Foden would be an obvious one. Remember when Pep Guardiola said he was the best young player he had seen since Lionel Messi? We did not take Pep’s words seriously at the time - but do now.
But at the moment, my vote would be for an unassuming striker whose contribution to his team’s efforts this season is unrivalled. Sixteen goals and ten assists in 27 Premier League matches is a remarkable return from Ollie Watkins and his selfless attitude has been key to Aston Villa’s splendid season. Hopefully for Villa - and, possibly, for England - there is more to come.
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