Phil Foden and Cole Palmer Claim Top Honors in PFA Awards

Phil Foden, the Manchester City midfielder has won the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Men’s Player of the Year award while Chelsea’s Cole Palmer earned the title of Young Player of the Year. This achievement marks the first time since the 2009-10 season when Wayne Rooney and James Milner received these honors, that both awards have gone to English players.

Foden expressed pride and gratitude for the recognition from his peers, emphasizing how special the award is to him. The 23-year-old delivered a stellar 2023-24 season, scoring 19 goals in 35 Premier League appearances and helping Manchester City secure a historic fourth consecutive league title. Foden also captured the Premier League Player of the Season and Football Writers’ Association (FWA) Footballer of the Year awards.

He outperformed teammates Erling Haaland, last year’s winner and Rodri, along with Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins to claim the top honor. Cole Palmer scored 22 goals in 34 league appearances during his debut season with Chelsea, winning the PFA Young Player of the Year award. Palmer’s impressive form earned him a spot in England’s Euro 2024 squad.

He scored in the final, but England narrowly lost to Spain. Palmer outshined Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho, former Crystal Palace player Michael Olise and Brighton’s Joao Pedro to secure the award. In the women’s categories, Manchester City’s Khadija Shaw won Player of the Year while Manchester United’s Grace Clinton claimed the Young Player of the Year title.

Manchester City and Arsenal dominated the Premier League Team of the Year which featured stars like Kyle Walker, Rodri, Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, William Saliba and Martin Odegaard.