Phil Foden and Cole Palmer Take Top Honors at PFA Awards

Manchester City’s Phil Foden has been crowned the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Men’s Player of the Year, while Chelsea’s Cole Palmer has earned the Young Player of the Year accolade. This marks the first time since the 2009-10 season that both awards have gone to English players, with Wayne Rooney and James Milner previously achieving this feat.

Foden, who scored 19 goals in 35 Premier League appearances during the 2023-24 season, played a pivotal role in Manchester City’s historic fourth successive Premier League title win. At just 23 years old, he became the youngest player to secure six league titles. This recognition as PFA Player of the Year is the first of its kind for Foden, who had previously been honored as the PFA Young Player of the Year twice. In addition to this latest accolade, Foden also won the Premier League Player of the Season and was named the Football Writers’ Association (FWA) Footballer of the Year for the 2023-24 campaign.

Expressing his gratitude, Foden said, “To win this award is something very special, and it is one that I am very proud of and grateful for. To be recognized this way by your fellow professionals means everything, and I would like to thank everyone who voted for me. Last season was another very special one for everyone at the club, but now all our focus is concentrated on trying to achieve more success this term.”

Foden edged out tough competition, including his Manchester City teammates Erling Haaland (last year’s winner) and Rodri, as well as Chelsea’s Palmer, Arsenal’s Martin Ødegaard, and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins.

Meanwhile, Cole Palmer, who recently moved from Manchester City to Chelsea, was named the PFA Young Player of the Year, further highlighting his rising star status in English football.