Chris Wilder for Manager of the Season? – Premier League End of Season Award
The 2019/20 Premier League season finally drew its curtain last weekend, two months after the original date.
Whilst everyone starts preparing for the next campaign in just under six weeks. We decided to look back over the Premier League season and hand out some very special awards for players and managers.
You might have seen the usual Football Writers Award or BBC’s, but this is ExtraTimeTalk’s end of season award ceremony.
ExtraTimeTalk’s End of Season Awards and Review
Best Goal – Heung Min-Son vs Burnley
Quite a few options to choose from this season, including Kevin De Bruyne’s volley against Newcastle United, Fabinho’s thunderous strike against Crystal Palace, or Jordan Ayew’s skillful solo effort.
However, our winner is Heung Min-Son’s dazzling 50-yard run against Burnley. The South Korean went past not one, not two or three, but four players before having the composure to slot the ball past Nick Pope. Son, or any player in the world, could have another 100 attempts to repeat that goal and which is unlikely to happen again.
Player of the Year – Kevin De Bruyne
Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson was voted by players and pundits for their player of the season and rightly so. Helping Liverpool to their first Premier League title in 30 years.
But we have decided to hand Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne the award. The Belgian managed 20 assists in one season, which is the joint record for the most assists in a single Premier League season. De Bruyne also shares the award with Thierry Henry, who achieved the landmark in the 2002-03 season.
Trent Alexander-Arnold had the second most assist this season, seven behind De Bruyne’s total. The 29-year-old also contributed 13 goals this season, involving him in 33 goals in 35 games this season in the Premier League. Outstanding achievement.
Young Player of the Season – Trent Alexander-Arnold
As mentioned above, Liverpool’s wonderkid achieved 13 assists this season – the highest for Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp plays with no outright creative midfielder, relying on his full-back to create opportunities for his attacker. Many would say if Trent, or even Andy Robertson, had an injury then Liverpool would have not breezed this league at all.
The 21-year-old had several impressive performances this season but one that comes to mind is the 4-0 win over Leicester City. Trent scored one goal and assisted two and was rightly awarded the man of the match.
Breakthrough Star – Mason Greenwood
At the age of 18, none could imagine Greenwood having such an impressive opening season, scoring 10 goals in the Premier League.
In August, Manchester United fans knew Greenwood would be involved in United’s domestic cup and Europa League journey. However, the 18-year-old has become such a crucial part of United’s attack since the restart of the Premier League.
The Man United graduate went onto make 31 appearances in the Premier League, starting in 12. If the rumour of Jadon Sancho to Man United is true, then Greenwood is likely to be the victim but Solksjaer has an incredible youngster on his hands.
Manager of the Season – Chris Wilder
Obviously, I could easily have picked Jurgen Klopp and the German does deserve the award for handing the city of Liverpool their first title in 30 years.
However, Chris Wilder has done an unbelievable job at Sheffield United, handing their highest Premier League finish just one year after being promoted from the Championship. The newly-promoted side only spent £20m in the summer, bringing in Oli McBurnie. Before signing Sander Berge for an exact fee in January.
Chris Wilder only spent £40m across the season and managed to finish in 9th. Despite everyone predicting the Blades to finish rock-bottom. Whereas Aston Villa, who spent over £100m on players, just survived relegation and finished in 17th.
Chris Wilder did the impossible and was inches away from achieving European football in their first season back.
Team of the Season
Alisson (Liverpool)
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Virgil Van Djik (Liverpool), John Egan (Sheffield United), Andy Robertson (Liverpool)
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
Sadio Mane (Liverpool), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City), Pierre-Emerick Aubayemang (Arsenal)
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