Leicester City’s winger Riyad Mahrez has been awarded the PFA Player of the Year for 2015-16, following countless impressive displays for his club.
(Image credit: The Guardian)
“All the credit is for my team-mates,” said the Algerian international. “Seriously, and for my manager and the staff. Without them I wouldn’t receive this award and I wouldn’t score. It’s the team spirit, and I want to dedicate it to them.”
By clinching the PFA Player of the Year award, Mahrez has become the first African player to win the prestigious accolade. “I’m very grateful to receive this award – it’s a pleasure. It’s extra special because, if the player vote for me, it’s because they’ve seen I’ve been great this year, so I’m happy,” commented the 25-year-old.
What’s quite astonishing is that he’s normally deployed on the wing, but has still managed to find the back of the net on countless occasions. So far this season, the versatile winger has scored a whopping 17 goals in the Premier League, which is a great improvement on last year’s 4 goals in the English top flight.
Dele Alli: PFA Young Player of the Year (Image credit: The FA)
Besides crowning Mahrez, the Professional Footballers’ Association gave the PFA Young Player award to Tottenham’s Dele Alli. According to The Spurs’ official website, Alli expressed his gratitude to all the player that voted for him. “I’m honoured to win such a prestigious award and I have to say thank you to all the players who voted for me in the Premier League and in the lower league as well,” said the man that just recently celebrated turning 20 years of age on April 11.
Proud to have won @PFA young player of the year! Thanks to everyone that voted. The hard work doesn't stop?#COYS pic.twitter.com/wFpp4q3hKc
— Dele Alli (@Dele_Alli) April 24, 2016
He’s bagged an impressive 10 goals in 32 appearances this campaign – all from the midfield position. Alli’s teammate Christian Eriksen joked that he helped him prepare the speech, before adding that he fully deserves this recognition. “I helped him prepare his speech! No, seriously, he’s earned it with all he’s done this season and it’s definitely been a year to remember, first of all club-wise but also for himself,” said the Danish international. “He’s achieved a lot and shown who he really is.”
Harry Kane, the man that has a massive 24 goals to his name in the Premier League, commented, “It’s great for Dele and he fully deserves it. He’s been great all year and the fact that it’s his first season in the Premier League makes it even more impressive. I was very proud to have won it last year and I’m sure he will feel the same way.”
Norman Hunter was the first footballer to be crowned PFA Player of the Year (Image credit: My Football Memories)
After making Leeds United’s Norman Hunter the first PFA Player of the Year winner in the 1973-74 season, this year marks the 43rd time the Association has issued the coveted prize.
Besides awarding Mahrez and Alli with PFA Player of the Year and PFA Young Player of the Year gongs respectively, the Association also announced the Premier League Team of the Year. The squad consists of four Tottenham and four Leicester City players, which is a stark difference from previous seasons. The following players have been selected for the Team of the Year: De Gea (Man Utd), Rose (Tottenham), Alderweireld (Tottenham), Morgan (Leicester), Bellerin (Arsenal), Payet (West Ham), Kante (Leicester), Alli (Tottenham), Mahrez (Leicester), Kane (Tottenham) and Vardy (Leicester).
For a full list of PFA Player of the Year past winners, check out PFA’s official website.