For the second year in a row, Bukayo Saka has been voted England men’s player of the year.
The winger scoops the award after scoring seven goals in 10 games over the last month, including strikes against Iran and Senegal in the World Cup and a recent hat-trick against North Macedonia in a Euro 2024 qualifier.
He was handed his award on his 22nd birthday by Arsenal fan James Maddison after reporting to St. George’s Park for the September Interlull. England play Ukraine and then face Scotland in a friendly.
Saka was recently voted the PFA men’s players’ young player of the year, came second in Arsenal’s player of the season poll and was consistently nominated alongside teammate Martin Odegaard and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland for a host of other individual awards.
A special birthday surprise with a little help from @Madders10… 🎁
For the second season running, your England Men’s Player of the Year connected by @EE is @BukayoSaka87! 👏 pic.twitter.com/2raAmvs2sE
— England (@England) September 5, 2023
On accepting the award, Saka said: “I’m really grateful, thank you to everyone that has made this happen, it’s a nice birthday gift as well. I’m happy!”
Also on England duty this week is Eddie Nketiah. The country’s leading scorer at under-21 level, he’s had to bide his time for his first call-up to the senior squad but is determined to relish every minute of it.
“I’m really happy to be here, proud to be here and looking forward to helping the team,” he said in yesterday’s press conference.
“You’re mixing with great players, obviously a great manager as well. So just that sense of pride to be here, to progress through the age groups is obviously a nice feeling and to get here is a nice step.
“It has been a long journey and I have worked really hard to get up to this point so it was really nice to have that step. This is the pinnacle for an England player to get called up by the senior team. Once you are here the aim is to stay here.”
The 22-year-old faces stiff competition for game time from the likes of Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford and Callum Wilson but plans to use the week to pick their brains as he looks to take his game to the next level.
“I think it makes the conversation a little bit easier [now Kane has left Sp*rs],” he said.
“I might have a few notes in my phone! He is a world class striker. Today was my first session so I’m sure I’ll be in his ear all week – getting tips and learning.
“I think that’s another great opportunity to come away learn and and improve yourself and see what other top strikers do, how they prepare for games.”
Eddie and B what an absolute credit you are to the Arsenal. So proud you represent our fabulous club. COYG!!!!
Sounds awkward having to pronounce all these PFA mens players’ young player of the year. I know all this gender sensitivities but I’d prefer Saka player of the year or Mead player of the year.
We all know they don’t play in the same gender category so we’d still automatically know who won what. How long before we start referring to the premier league as Men’s premier league plus Tottenham?
What an absolute credit Eddie is to our club. Often I’ve thought he isn’t at the level required, but the man is so dedicated to self improvement. He’s already exceeding the ceiling I’d put on his talent- I hope he can continue to prove all us morons wrong.
100% this on Eddie. And the fact he has stuck with England so far as well, rather than his parents homeland- Ghana, shows the levels he aspires to. No disrespect to Ghana, I was actually hoping he would play for them, and probably be more appreciated there. Especially because considering all he has done with the under 21s and what he has shown at Arsenal, he should have at least had a call up earlier.
Big ups to Eddie. Proud of him. Gunner.
Very happy for Eddie, but he should be careful with the advises from The Cane. He might be at Bayern now, but his soul is corrupted forever 🙂
Also, I’m not sure that Eddie needs lessons in how to breath without drooling.
I’m sure the first lesson (that obviously wasn’t needed) was “Don’t sign for Tottenham”
…if you want to win trophies😜
“The 22-year-old faces stiff competition for game time (…).”
Really sorry to be that guy, but Eddie is actually 24 already. I guess I’m pointing this out because I too was surprised by how quickly time goes by!
Either way, congratulations to both of them and well-deserved!
“Hi, H. Can I pick your brain?”
“Sure thing, Ed. What is it you want to ask?”
“Why did you waste the best years of your life at Spuds?”
If you’ve been at Tottenham, I’m sure “any other years than those” would automatically qualify for “Best years of your life”.
“Yeah, I used to live in an old bin in a carpark, and people would dump trash on me while I was asleep, and I had tuberculosis. But I wasn’t at Tottenham anymore. Best years of my life!”
Eddie: “Hey Harry, what’s your football philosophy then? What’s the secret to your success?”
Harry: “hurr hurr, hurr hurr…”
*picks his nose*
“…duh, duh hurr hurr…”
He’s such a nice boy! So proud he’s a Gooner born and bred.
Is Eddie Nketiah still 22?