De Bruyne named English football's player of the year

Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne was voted English football’s player of year on Tuesday, denying Liverpool a third straight winner of prestigious award.

De Bruyne became first City player to capture Professional Footballers’ Association award after scoring 13 goals and making a record-tying 20 assists last season.

Belgian credited manr Pep Guardiola for giving him freedom to be creative.

“Most of time he just lets me be me,” De Bruyne said of Guardiola. “We speak often about team but in a lot of senses he kws when he gives orders of what team has to do that I will listen.

“But n on or side, he gives me a lot of freedom; I don’t kw why, that’s just way it goes between us. He kws in one way I will always put team first and n obviously if I can help myself I’m going to do that.”

Liverpool players Virgil Van Dijk (2019) and Mohamed Salah (2018) won award — voted on by players in top flight — past two seasons, but team was denied a hat trick of winners despite becoming champions last season for first time in 30 years. Liverpool finished 18 points clear of City, runner-up.

Van Dijk was on shortlist again along with teammates Sio Mane, Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arld, who was named young player of year.

De Bruyne also fought off challenge of his teammate, Raheem Sterling, as a City player finally won award following team’s recent dominance of English football.

“It’s maybe strange that I’m first one at City,” De Bruyne said, “seeing all good players who played re before and who are still playing. But it’s nice to represent club.”

Beth England won women’s player of year award, having helped Chelsea capture Women’s Super League and League Cup by scoring 21 goals in all competitions. England prevented Arsenal’s Vivianne Miedema claiming award for a second straight season.

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Premier League team of year: Nick Pope (Burnley); Trent Alexander-Arld (Liverpool), Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool), Caglar Soyuncu (Leicester), Andrew Robertson (Liverpool); David Silva (Manchester City), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City); Jamie Vardy (Leicester), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal), Sio Mane (Liverpool).

Women’s Super League team of year: Ann-Katrin Berger (Chelsea); Maren Mjelde (Chelsea), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Millie Bright (Chelsea), Magdalena Eriksson (Chelsea); Caroline Weir (Man City), Kim Little (Arsenal), Ji So-yun (Chelsea); Beth England (Chelsea), Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal), Chloe Kelly (Man City).

Im credits: AP