Phil Foden wins second consecutive PFA Young Player of the Year award

Phil Foden has scooped the PFA Young Player of the Year for the second successive season after playing a starring role in Manchester City’s Premier League title triumph.

Foden, 22, scored nine goals and made five assists as City won their fourth crown in five seasons under manager Pep Guardiola.

The England international was selected for the prize ahead of Conor Gallagher, who impressed for Crystal Palace while on loan from Chelsea, Reece James, also of Chelsea, Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey and the Arsenal duo of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe.

Foden becomes the sixth player to win the PFA Young Player of the Year back-to-back, joining Ryan Giggs, Robbie Fowler, Wayne Rooney, Dele Alli and Lauren Hemp. 

Alli was the last player to claim the prize in consecutive seasons having achieved the feat in 2017.

Foden is one of the most versatile players at the Etihad and the crucial winners he hit against Brentford and Everton proved just how influential he can be for both club and country. 

He was also named as the Premier League’s Young Player of the Season last month.

‘I’m really honoured to be honest, especially to win it back-to-back, it shows that I’ve come a long way this year with the consistency of my game, and I’m really pleased to win it again,’ Foden said.

‘All the best players in the world have got to show consistency and keep performing at the higher level, and this year I’ve just tried to do that and try and help my team as much as possible – I’ve been really happy with my performances this year. 

‘Hopefully I can win the main award in the future, but it’s all about taking small steps and improving. I always love winning individual awards, it’s just nice to look at and see how far you’ve come so, yeah, I’m really pleased.’ 

Smith Rowe and Saka were key players in an improving Arsenal side under Mikel Arteta that narrowly missed out to rivals Tottenham Hotspur for a place inside the Premier League’s top four and look set to kick on in the future. 

Ramsey forced his way into the Aston Villa side under Steven Gerrard having only played a cameo role during the 2020-21 season, while Gallagher’s fine form at Selhurst Park led to his first England call-up and subsequent three caps. 

James has also enjoyed another solid season in the top flight at right-back in the Chelsea backline as the Blues finished third under Thomas Tuchel.

Although voting now has modern methods that include nominating players online or via an app, the archaic early closure of the polls comes despite the awards, being run as a virtual event, not taking place until tonight.

The PFA say that the poll closed early due to the logistical challenges of conducting interviews with the winners, although given no-one will be in attendance at the event, some have questioned whether that should have been a priority.