Foden and Shaw Win PFA Awards; Arsenal Stars Shine in Team of the Year
Manchester City stars Phil Foden and Bunny Shaw have been honored as the men’s and women’s PFA Players of the Year for the previous season at the PFA awards held on Tuesday evening. Foden, 24, played a pivotal role in Manchester City’s achievement of a fourth consecutive Premier League title, scoring 19 goals and providing eight assists, and his efforts have been recognized by his peers.
On the women’s side, Jamaican forward Bunny Shaw was the top scorer in the Women’s Super League, netting 21 goals, although Manchester City narrowly missed out on the title to Chelsea on goal difference.
Khadija Bunny Shaw poses with her PFA award (Photo Courtesy)
Chelsea attacking midfielder Cole Palmer received the men’s PFA Young Player of the Year award, while Manchester United midfielder Grace Clinton was honored with the women’s young player award after her impactful loan spell at Tottenham last season. Palmer finished second in the Premier League scoring charts with 22 goals and also led Chelsea in assists with 11. Clinton shone in a struggling Spurs side, contributing four goals and four assists in 20 WSL appearances.
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer poses with his PFA award (Photo Courtesy)
Fara Williams, the most capped player in England’s history with 172 appearances and 40 goals, received a PFA Merit award for her outstanding contributions to the game. Williams played a key role in helping England achieve third place at the 2015 World Cup and represented Team GB at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Arsenal players dominated the PFA team of the year with Golden Glove winner David Raya, who had 16 clean sheets was joined by defenders William Saliba and Gabriel highlighting Arsenal’s strong defense. Saliba played every minute in the Premier League, while Gabriel had his best season yet after overcoming early transfer speculation. The PFA’s choice to include three center-backs in a four-man defense reflects current tactical trends.
Declan Rice, the £105 million signing, met Arsenal supporters’ expectations and improved their set-pieces. Martin Ødegaard didn’t match his previous season’s output, but his influence in the latter part of the campaign was significant.
Arsenal players from left David Raya, Gabriel Magalhaes, Martin Odegaard, William Saliba and Declan Rice at the PFA awards ceremony (Photo Courtesy)
Additionally, Lewington, 40, made history by breaking the EFL record for the most appearances with a single club, racking up 771 appearances for MK Dons last December. West Ham’s new signing Crysencio Summerville was named the Championship Player of the Year after scoring 21 goals for Leeds, who fell short of promotion in the play-off final. Alfie May, now with Birmingham, won the League One award with a league-high 23 goals for Charlton, while Notts County’s Jodi Jones claimed the League Two prize after providing a record 24 assists, marking the club’s return to the EFL since the 2018-19 season.
The PFA Teams of the Year featured the following players:
PFA team of the year 2024 ( Photo Courtesy)
Goalkeeper: David Raya (Arsenal)
Defenders: Kyle Walker (Man City), Gabriel (Arsenal), William Saliba (Arsenal), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Midfielders: Declan Rice (Arsenal), Rodri (Man City), Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal)
Forwards: Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Erling Haaland (Man City), Phil Foden (Man City)
