It is that time of the year again for young, senior players and managers to be recognized for their exploits during a campaign.
The English Premier League, EPL, announced the nominees for the young player of the season, player of the season, and manager of the season on Friday.
There have been two major omissions from the player of the season and young player of the season which have stirred controversy among the EPL fans.
Arsenal captain, Pierre-Emerick Aubemyang, who scored 22 goals for the second consecutive season and Arsenal youngster, Bukayo Saka, who contributed with five assists, a goal, and several outstanding performances, were omitted from the shortlist.
The nominees for the 2019/20 EPL player of the year are Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kevin De Bruyne, Jordan Henderson, Danny Ings, Sadio Mane, Nick Pope, and Jamie Vardy.
Nominees for young player of the 2019/20 EPL season are Marcus Rashford, Christian Pulisic, Mason Mount, Anthony Martial, Dean Henderson, Mason Greenwood, Jack Grealish, and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
As usual, it is expected that players from the championship-winning side will flood the nominee list. Hence the inclusion of Sadio Mane, Jordan Henderson, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who have contributed with goals, assists, and outstanding performances throughout the campaign.
It is pertinent to note the goalkeepers who were nominated, Nick Pope and Dean Henderson. Both players are key factors to their teams surviving relegation and finishing mid-table and top half of the table respectively.
Also, Kevin De Bruyne had an outstanding individual season as he equalled the Premier League assist record set by Thierry Henry.
The Belgian midfield maestro registered 20 Premier League assists during the 2019/20 season. Danny Ings scored 22 goals and finished one place behind the league top scorer Jamie Vardy.
The managers were not overlooked either. The nominees for the 2019/20 Premier League manager of the season are Premier League-winning manager Jurgen Klopp, Chelsea boss, Frank Lampard, who secured Champions League football in his first season in charge, Leicester City’s Brendan Rodgers and Sheffield United’s Chris Wilder.
Rodgers led Leicester City to a 5th place finish which earned them a spot in next season’s Europa League competition.
Chris Wilder orchestrated a brilliant debut season in the Premier League for his Sheffield United side who could have finished in a European competition spot.
However, their mid-table finish in 9th place is still highly commendable.
It is now up to the fans and officials to select who will emerge as the winner from all three categories.
One certain thing is the fact that all these individuals are deserving of the award.
