The PFA Awards were announced on Thursday, and both the Young Player of the Year awards were grabbed by two highly talented City youngsters – Lauren Hemp and Phil Foden.
Current and former footballers vote for the PFA awards.
Lauren Hemp sets a record
Lauren Hemp has been named PFA Young Player of the Year for a record fourth time.
Having first won the award in 2018 whilst with Bristol City, the 21-year-old has now retained the trophy for a third successive campaign.
The 21-year-old forward helped Manchester City finish third in the Women’s Super League with her performances throughout the season. Hemp played 22 league games scoring ten goals and assisting six.
She has won the award now for the third season on the bounce, with the other time coming in the 2017-18 campaign.
Hemp, who was also nominated for the main women’s Player of the Year award and has already made more than 100 appearances for Man City, said: “It’s an honour to get this again.
“I think especially for it to be voted for by players that I’ve played against and come up against. I mean, I look to many of them as role models as well so it’s an honour to be picked from them. Coming off the back of a great season, I’ve also got a lot to thank my teammates for to be honest, because I think they make me look better than I actually am!”
Foden retains the award
Manchester City star Phil Foden has retained his Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) men’s Young Player of the Year award following the Citizens’ successful defence of the Premier League title.
He won the award after beating off competition from Conor Gallagher, Reece James, Jacob Ramsey, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe.
The 22-year-old becomes the sixth player to win the Young Player of the Year trophy back to back, joining Ryan Giggs, Robbie Fowler, Wayne Rooney, Dele Alli and City Women forward Hemp.
Receiving the award, Foden said: “I’m really honoured, to be honest, especially to win it back to back. It shows that I’ve come a long way this year with the consistency of my game, and I’m really pleased to win it again.
“All the best players in the world have got to show consistency and keep performing at the highest level, and this year I’ve just tried to do that and try and help my team as much as possible – I’ve been really happy with my performances this year.
“Hopefully I can win the main award in the future, but it’s all about taking small steps and improving. I always love winning individual awards, it’s just nice to look at and see how far you’ve come so, yeah, I’m really pleased.”
