Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland and Bukayo Saka have been tremendous performers so far this season, yet Rio Ferdinand believes neither are currently contenders for the player of the season award
Rio Ferdinand has snubbed Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland and Bukayo Saka in his shortlist for the Premier League player of the season award. The trio have been among the best performers in the English top flight this season, chalking up a combined 69 goals and assists.
Salah fired Liverpool to the top of the Premier League, leading Jurgen Klopp’s side to crucial wins over Arsenal and Manchester City, before suffering a hamstring injury in January. As the title race builds a head of steam, the Reds will be hoping that the Egypt international returns from the treatment room soon.
As for Haaland, he’s continued to lead Pep Guardiola’s frontline excellently with impressive displays against Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool. The Norwegian has missed his fair share of big chances, yet he remains one of the most dangerous strikers in the division.
Meanwhile, Saka has helped Arsenal mount another title bid with some bold performances against Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Liverpool. The Gunners almost crowned themselves champions of England last term, but they buckled under the pressure and surrendered top spot to the treble winners.
Yet, when speaking on TNT Sports ahead of City’s clash against Copenhagen in the Champions League round of 16 second-leg, Ferdinand snubbed the trio as player of the season contenders. Instead, the former Manchester United defender named Phil Foden and Ollie Watkins as the only frontrunners for the award.
When asked if Foden is the player of the season this term, Ferdinand said: “I would say yes. He is in that mix, definitely. When you think about Player of the Season, who else is there? No one is jumping off the page.
“Ollie Watkins maybe? I think this guy is top of the tree at the moment, but there is still a long way to go in the season and you have got to produce on the home straight. He’s used to it, he’s experienced enough and he’s in the driving seat for that trophy.”
Singing from the same hymn sheet, Joleon Lescott heaped praise on Foden. The former Manchester City defender added: “Anyone could see his ability, and anyone would have seen it.
“But when you are around him and you see him, you see an obsession to be better, to be the best he can be. That’s something I don’t see very often in anyone, I haven’t seen it in many players. Phil Foden wants to be the best and he’s obsessed with being the best.”
