Norwegian striker Erling Haaland has been voted Player of the Year by the Professional Players’ Association (PFA) in England, while Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne, the PFA's choice in 2020 and 2021, features this year in the association's team of the season.
Teammates in a Manchester City crowned by a historic treble (League, Cup and Champions League), Haaland and De Bruyne have both had a more-than-successful season in statistical terms. At 23 and in his first season in England, the Norwegian scored 36 goals in 35 league games, breaking the record for most goals in a single season.
Kevin De Bruyne was one of six finalists. The other nominees were Norwegian Martin Odegaard and Englishman Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Englishman Harry Kane (Tottenham) and another teammate of Haaland and De Bruyne, England’s John Stones.
De Bruyne, who has already won the trophy twice – Eden Hazard is the only other Belgian to have won it, in the 2014-2015 season – features in the team of the season. In 32 league matches during the 2022/2023 season, the Red Devils captain has scored 7 goals and given 18 assists.
The Team of the Year is made up of: Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal); Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), John Stones (Manchester City), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), William Saliba (Arsenal); Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Rodrigo (Manchester City), Martin Odegaard (Arsenal); Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Erling Haaland (Manchester City) and Harry Kane (Tottenham).
The PFA Awards, which have been in existence since 1974, are one of the individual awards presented at the end of the football season in England.
Haaland had already been named Premier League Player of the Year, based on votes from fans, captains and a panel of experts, as well as the Football Writers’ Association (FWA).
