Mo Salah Wins PFA Player of the Year
Mohamed Salah has continued his spectacular season by winning the Professional Footballer’s Player of the Year award for 2017-2018.
Beating an impressive shortlist of David de Gea and Manchester City superstars Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva, Salah capped what has been a record-breaking season winning the prestigious award.
“It’s an honour and especially as it’s voted by the players. I am happy and proud,” said the Egypt star Salah.
“I didn’t have my chance at Chelsea. It was clear I would return and show everyone my football. I think I left and came back a different person, man and player.”
The Liverpool goal machine has already notched 31 league goals this term, joining an exclusive group of elite Premier League stars.
With 3 games left for Liverpool this term, Salah no doubt has his sights set on claiming the undisputed record of most goals scored in a 38 game Premier League season, currently held by Alan Shearer, Cristiano Ronaldo and Liverpool hero Luis Suárez.
Praise has been forthcoming from ex-players on Twitter for the Egyptian star:
Congratulations to @22mosalah on being @PFA player of the year. He’s been superb, scored a multitude of goals and been a breath of fresh air to our football.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) April 23, 2018
Congratulations to @22mosalah for deservedly winning PFA player of the year #YNWA
— Ray Clemence (@RayClem1) April 23, 2018
Congratulations to @22mosalah on winning the @PFA player of the year!! A well deserved from a man who made the premier league looks so easy and I know it’s not 😀! What an honor to see an Egyptian as the best player in England!! ⚽️
— Mido (@midoahm) April 23, 2018
Despite being involved in 40 goals this season (31 goals, 9 assists), Salah wasn’t everybody’s choice for Player of the Year.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola believes his midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne should have won the award.
“When you are analysing nine months or 10 months then there was no player better than him.
“In terms of the continuity and playing every three days in all competitions he was there. I am sorry, maybe with numbers, there are numbers guys better than him, but no player in this season with the team who wins [the title] five games before the end, and he was the best.
“I would like to feel that he deserved it. But at the end in summer time we will be at home being champions and for that to happen the players have to play.”
City’s Belgian ace might well feel aggrieved having not scooped the illustrious award, having provided more assists and created more chances than any other player in the league.