The Definitive 2019/20 Premier League End of Season Awards

27 July 2020 12:30

Take a deep breath while you can, for the 2019/20 Premier League season is finally behind us.


It's been a long 11 months and somehow we're only seven weeks out from the new campaign starting, so let's take a moment to reflect on some of the winners from the season that was.


1. Player of the Season - Jordan Henderson

Henderson is a deserved winner

The massively influential captain of the best team in the league, Henderson may not be posting up double figures in goals or assists, but that's not his role, is it?

His leadership and tenacity have been as crucial to Liverpool as the goals of the front three and the defensive presence of Virgil van Dijk combined, and when you're exerting that much influence over a team that sprints off with the title like a racehorse against hamsters, you deserve any award that comes your way.

Honourable Mention: Kevin de Bruyne


2. Young Player of the Season - Trent Alexander-Arnold

It's not all Liverpool, we promise...but there was only one winner here, wasn't there?

Alexander-Arnold is improving at a frightening rate, and has been a creative force of nature on the right hand side for Jurgen Klopp. The only person on the planet who doesn't enjoy watching him is Neco Williams, who is wondering how on earth he's getting a run of games in the first team while Trent is running the show.

Honourable Mentions: Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood


3. Pundit of the Season - Roy Keane

“I am sick to death of this goalkeeper. I’d be fighting him at half-time… I would be swinging punches at that guy. It’s a standard save for an established international goalkeeper. I am flabbergasted."

A very normal reaction to another error from David de Gea against Tottenham wins the immutable Roy Keane some silverware.


4. The Olivier Giroud Award - Kelechi Iheanacho

Iheanacho has made a name for himself as an efficient impact sub

Amazingly, none of Olivier Giroud's Premier League goals this term have come off the bench. How about that?

Kelechi Iheanacho, meanwhile, has scored or assisted nine; five of which came in games he didn't start.

Step aside, Oli: there's a new super sub in town.

Honourable Mention: Alexandre Lacazette


5. The Wilfried Zaha Award - Jack Grealish

Grealish fends off Zaha - literally and figuratively

Obviously too good to be playing in the bottom half of the table: check.

Involved in an insane amount of his team's goals: check.

Fate intertwined with a looming move to Manchester United despite the fact it makes no logical sense: check and check.

Zaha had what we will respectfully call a pretty average 2019/20, while Grealish moved heaven and hell to keep Aston Villa in the Premier League. As a thank you for his efforts, he'll probably now be priced out of a move to a club actually at his level.

Honourable Mention: Michail Antonio


6. Goal of the Season - Jordan Ayew

Heung-min Son is the popular choice here, and his effort against Burnley - running from one box to the other with the ball glued to his feet - cannot really be contested as a worthy winner.

However, just for pleasing aesthetics, and because we're mavericks, we're going to give it to Ayew.

In one fluid motion, he spins Declan Rice, dodges two challenges and lobs the keeper. Off the charts.

Honourable Mention: Son Heung-min (vs Burnley)


7. Manager of the Season - Jurgen Klopp

Klopp celebrates his first league title with his staff

Obviously.

Honourable Mention: Chris Wilder


8. The 'Why the F**k Have They Just Done That' Award - Watford

Pearson was sacked for reasons none of us can explain

There's two games remaining, and you've watched your team haul themselves back from the dead to keep themselves in with a chance of staying up. A win will do the trick, so what does your notorious board of directors go and do?

They sack the manager.

You concede seven goals in the last two matches, and go down.

It will forever remain a mystery why Watford saw it fit to sack Nigel Pearson ahead of two decisive matches, but you really have to feel it for the fans who will be watching Championship football next season thanks to one of the biggest sh*tshows the Premier League has ever seen.


Source: 90min