Is Phil Foden a shoo-in for Player of the Season? Chris Sutton and Ian Ladyman CAN’T reach agreement on who should win the award on It’s All Kicking Off… as they explain their picks for the Premier League’s top performer
Chris Sutton and Ian Ladyman were unable to reach an agreement on who should be crowned the Premier League‘s Player of the Season for the 2023-24 campaign, with Phil Foden being backed as one of the favourites to win.
The Manchester City forward has stood up for Pep Guardiola‘s side on several occasions this season, notably scoring twice in the Manchester Derby to help the Citizens defeat rivals Manchester United at the Etihad, before netting his second hat-trick of the season in a 4-1 win against Aston Villa.
On Tuesday, the 23-year-old produced another man-of-the-match performance scoring a sensational long-range goal to help City secure a 3-3 draw away to Real Madrid.
But Foden isn’t the only player who has stood out this season in the top-flight, with his team-mate Rodri, Declan Rice, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk all in the running to claim the illustrious accolade.
Reflecting on what’s been an epic campaign, Ladyman and Sutton have explained who they think has been the Premier League’s Player of the Season on the It’s All Kicking Off podcast, with the pair at odds over who should win.
Chris Sutton (left) and Ian Ladyman (right) have explained their picks for Player of the Season
Foden has enjoyed a standout season for Manchester City, stepping up in the big occasions
On Tuesday, he produced a sensational long-range strike to help City draw 3-3 at Real Madrid
‘I was in Madrid on Tuesday to watch Man City play that thrilling 3-3 draw against Real,’ Ladyman began. ‘It wasn’t City’s best performance, by any stretch. But they got out of it with a great result, partly because of another superb goal from Phil Foden.
‘Foden is emerging as a strong candidate for Player of the Season. And I want to get into that,’ He said before turning to Sutton. ‘Who will your vote go for this season?’ He asked.
His co-host took a brief moment to think before replying: ‘Can we wait to see who wins the Premier League or do we have to say now?’
‘Well, I’m asking you now so would be nice to have an answer?’ Ladyman pressed again, before Sutton replied: ‘Declan Rice!’
Like his England team-mate, Rice has enjoyed a fantastic campaign in the heart of Arsenal’s midfield. Following his £105million move to north London from West Ham, the midfielder has been a driving force for the Gunners through the middle and has provided stability in defence.
With Rice in the team, Arsenal have shrugged off their woes from last season and have risen to go joint top of the Premier League table, level with Liverpool on 71 points. They now look poised to mount a charge to win their first league title since 2004.
Sutton isn’t the only one to have lumped praise on the Arsenal star’s performances this season, with Mail Sport columnist Danny Murphy claiming the 25-year-old deserves a ‘standing ovation for adapting his game’ since joining the Gunners.
‘OK,’ replied Ladyman a little taken aback. But Sutton replied: ‘Is that OK with you? Oh, you’re [picking] Phil Foden aren’t you?’
Rice has been pivotal for Arsenal and has perhaps also been one of the signings of the season
Danny Murphy also lauded Rice for how quickly he has adapted his game to Arsenal’s systems
Ladyman added: ‘I’ve got to be careful because two or three weeks ago I was rattling on about Kyle Walker because I think Walker has sort of…’
Sutton interrupted, joking: ‘Oh yes! Thanks for reminding me! He’s the player of the decade, in your opinion.’
‘Had I cast my vote six weeks ago, it would have been for Kyle Walker,’ Ladyman said. ‘Foden has come strong. But that’s why you make your vote at this time of the year and not in January.
‘It is also time for the Football Writers Association vote… I need to send my email. And as it stands, I think my email will have Phil Foden’s name on it.
Explaining his reasoning, Ladyman said: ‘I think he [Foden] has grown into the season brilliantly and he’s become a game changer for City. Hasn’t he?
‘He’s produced in big moments. He produced a big moment for them when they were trailing in the Manchester derby at the Etihad – a superb equalising goal and laid the platform for a victory.
‘He did the same in the Bernabeu on Tuesday night. City were toiling until he struck that magnificent goal. And that’s the type of thing big players do and he’s starting to do that.’
Sutton: ‘I’m not going to argue with any of that – a classy player which he is. But has he influenced Manchester City in the same way Declan Rice has influenced Arsenal? Just a one-word answer: yes or no?’
Mohamed Salah (left) and Rodri (right) are two other stars in contention to win the award
Ladyman said that Foden’s ability to step up when needed is why he should win the award
But Sutton claimed that Rice’s influence on Arsenal make him the league’s best performer
Ladyman took a moment before saying: ‘No.’ Sutton quickly replied: ‘There we go then, so you’re going Declan Rice with me.’
‘No that doesn’t mean that Declan Rice is the Player of the Season,’ Ladyman responded laughing.
Sutton: ‘Of course it does! It’s about the influence on the particular team! Now look at you, you’ve hit reverse!’
‘Chris, Chris,’ Ladyman said, as his co-host poked fun at him by mimicking the sounds of a lorry reversing. ‘You could choose a player who has impacted profoundly on Luton if you wanted to – it doesn’t mean he’s the best player!’
