Player of the Season for Every Club. (Part 2)
Today, I go through every Premier League Club and decide who I believe has been their best player this season. This week, I cover the second 10 Premier League clubs.
Welcome back to Football Latest. In today’s newsletter, we discuss who should be the player of the season for every Premier League Club. I will go through every club and then explain who I think has been the best player of that club this season so far. This is a 2 part newsletter, and today we will cover the second 10 teams alphabetically. Make sure to also check out the first half of this newsletter that was released last week, and you can read that here. Lets get started.
Liverpool - Virgil Van Dijk
Van Dijk has certainly had his last few years still recovering from his injury that really dented his reputation as a world class centre-back, but this season, we have seen him back to his very best. Despite playing in an unsettled back line with injuries to Matip, Konate, Robertson, Tsimikas and Alexander-Arnold throughout the season, he has remained defensively solid and provided that crucial Carabao Cup winning goal for Liverpool this season. I think some honorable mentions should go certain players however. Alexis Mac Allister has not only been an exceptional number 8 later on this season for Liverpool, but also managed to adapt to the Defensive Midfield position when needed for his team earlier this season. Additionally, if Trent Alexander-Arnold had not picked up his injury, he would certainly be in the conversation for Player of the Season.
Luton Town - Alfie Doughty
Despite their relegation from the Premier League this season, Luton Town have certainly played an exciting brand of football for the last year against top teams. Arsenal needed a 90+7 minute stoppage time winner to beat the Hatters at home in a tense game earlier on in this season, and they also managed to get a hard-fought win against Newcastle. This style of play from Luton has been so dependent on a man who was playing National League football 4 years ago: Alfie Doughty. Doughty is an exciting Left Wingback who is a master of crossing inviting balls into the box for attackers to score from, and this has been essential to provide Luton with goals from set pieces and crosses into the box when top teams are difficult to break down.
Manchester City - Phil Foden
This choice was a tough one and was almost a coin flip between Phil Foden and Rodri. Rodri has been an outstanding player for Manchester City this season, following on from his crucial role in Manchester City’s treble win last season. He missed three games earlier this season due to suspension, and City lost all three of those games without him. However, Phil Foden has done something incredible this season, which is to fill the shoes of injured Kevin De Bruyne in midfield for 5 months. Not only has he done this whilst scoring crucial and incredible goals, but he has managed to stay a starter in midfield on De Bruyne’s return, taking the place in midfield alongside the Belgian ahead of Julian Alvarez and Bernardo Silva. What an incredible player he has been.
Manchester United - Diogo Dalot
Manchester United have been a team corrupted by injuries throughout this record-low campaign for the club, and a large amount of these injuries have been to their back line, which we can all agree has been incredibly disrupted this season. Diogo Dalot, however, has not only stayed fit for the majority of the campaign, but has also managed to become Ten Hag’s preferred choice at Right Back this season ahead of Wan-Bissaka. There is no doubt that Manchester United’s defence has not been solid this season, having conceded more shots this season than the Derby County side that was relegated on 11 points in 2007/08. However, Diogo Dalot has consistently shone for this side, being a glimmer of hope for the Red Devils in difficult moments.
Newcastle United - Alexander Isak
Newcastle United are another side who have struggled massively with injuries this season, but they have certainly benefitted from their star striker, Alexander Isak. Isak can give you goals, he can give you assists, he can give you flair. He has been a remarkably consistent player for Newcastle this season, providing the necessary goals for them to get points from tough games, home and away. I would like to also give an honorable mention to Anthony Gordon, who has also been an essential attacker this season for the Magpies.
Nottingham Forest - Morgan Gibbs-White
Gibbs-White really is an Attacking Midfielder who can do anything. Excellent passes to bring others into attacks. Superb goals inside and outside of the box. Committed to his defensive work when Forest need him to be. He was signed for Forest last season for a club record transfer fee of £25 million, and in the last 2 seasons, he has shone for Forest in so many departments, with many Premier League clubs reportedly prepared to pay up to £60 million for his services. Last season, he was voted by fans as Forest’s player of the season, and it looks like that could be happening for the second year in a row.
Sheffield United - Gustavo Hamer
Gustavo Hamer has undoubtedly been a standout player for Sheffield United this season, making a strong case to be their Player of the Season. As a versatile midfielder, Hamer brings a blend of defensive solidity, creativity, and vision to a poor Sheffield United side, making him a crucial asset for the team in tough games. His ability to break up opposition plays, distribute the ball effectively, and contribute offensively has been instrumental for Sheffield United this season. Hamer's work rate, technical skills, and impact on the team make him a deserving candidate for Sheffield United's Player of the Season award.
Tottenham - Micky van de Ven
When van de Ven was signed by new manager Ange Postecoglou at the start of the season, many were excited about the unique defender. His most impressive asset was certainly his extreme pace, and he has really utilised this pace brilliantly this season. Postecoglou came into this Tottenham team needing a player that would allow him to play a high line with the North London side, and I would argue that the pace of van de Ven has made this possible, as he is a player who is able to sprint back to defend to reduce the risk of counter attacks.
West Ham - Jarrod Bowen
This was certainly one of the easier decisions to make on the list, not because there are no other good options, but just because Jarrod Bowen has been so good. As a dynamic and versatile forward, Bowen brings a combination of pace, skill, and goal-scoring prowess to the team, whether he is playing as a striker or as a right-winger. His ability to create chances, score crucial goals, and work tirelessly on both ends of the pitch has been pivotal in West Ham's solid finish this season, despite a drop-off at the end for the Hammers. With 16 goals and 6 assists to his name, Bowen's impact, work rate, and offensive contributions make him a deserving candidate for West Ham's Player of the Season award.
Wolves - Matheus Cunha
Wolves are another team who have had goalscoring problems at points this season. First, it was Hwang Hee-Chan and Pedro Neto providing most of the firepower in the attack, but then both of these players got injured (a recurring theme throughout this year’s newsletters). Who stepped up to the plate? Matheus Cunha did. His most exceptional goalscoring performance this season was probably his hattrick at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea, where he scored 3 goals in a convincing 4-2 away win. I think it is easy for players like Cunha to go under the radar when they are surrounded by flashy players like Pedro Neto, but he certainly deserves to be Wolves’ player of the season.
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