Footballer of the Year - Henderson wins

[ClaretTony]

Just seen that Jordan Henderson has been voted as the 2019/20 Footballer of the Year - and rightly so in my view.

The runner up was Kevin de Bruyne with Marcus Rashford, Virgil vn Dijk and Sadio Mané completing the top five.

Other players to receive votes were Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson, Raheem Sterling, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Sergio Agüero, Adama Traoré, Danny Ings, Jack Grealish, James Maddison and Jonny Evans.

[FactualFrank]

No arguments from me. A player who a lot of people didn't rate when playing for England, but for me is a player when you know the team is missing something when he isn't playing.

[Bosscat]

Cannot believe Andre Gray was overlooked

[PremierLeagueClass]

Suspect De Bruyne will win the PFA player of the year.

[ClaretTony]

No arguments from me either, he's been outstanding for Liverpool this season. I am somewhat baffled as to who might have voted for Jonny Evans though.

[Bin Ont Turf]

Did the ever present rock Tarky get a mention?

[ClaretTony]

Did the ever present rock Tarky get a mention?

No - the players mentioned were the only ones who won any votes

[Bin Ont Turf]

No - the players mentioned were the only ones who won any votes

Okay, I'm guessing someone at the Leicester Mercury got a vote then.

[ClaretTony]

Okay, I'm guessing someone at the Leicester Mercury got a vote then.

Looks like it to me

[DCWat]

There are some strange votes in that list. All good players that have done well this season, but player of the year, above the likes of Henderson, Mane, De Bruyne!?

[claretonthecoast1882]

He will be getting his kit and captains armband on again to collect

[Stanbill05]

Good engine and leader, but I think it's a sad reflection of the season and league when he is considered the best of the lot. Hopefully next season will be better.

[JohnMac]

Well deserved, a leader on and off the pitch.

[JohnMac]

I am somewhat baffled as to who might have voted for Jonny Evans though.

You and millions of fans around the globe

[ClaretTony]

Good engine and leader, but I think it's a sad reflection of the season and league when he is considered the best of the lot. Hopefully next season will be better.

Can’t agree with that. I think Henderson has been the stand out candidate this season.

[Burnley1989]

Can’t agree with that. I think Henderson has been the stand out candidate this season.

And I think most clubs in the world would have had him this season

[DCWat]

Good engine and leader, but I think it's a sad reflection of the season and league when he is considered the best of the lot. Hopefully next season will be better.

Or is it simply a reflection of just how well Henderson has played by beating some of the other names in that list?

I like it when it’s not always the flair players or goal scorers that win. The brilliant performances of defenders or holding midfielders can be overlooked, when a huge part of the game is about having a solid platform to build from, allowing the forwards to do their thing.

[Dyched]

I’d have gone for Pulisic. Debut season and he’s looked like he’s been playing in England for years. Also currently level with Eden Hazards best goal/assists total for a season.

Can’t agree against Henderson though. Great player.

[Sutton-Claret]

What happened to Pope - I'm sure I saw his name on a top ten short-list recently.

[tiger76]

Or is it simply a reflection of just how well Henderson has played by beating some of the other names in that list?

I like it when it’s not always the flair players or goal scorers that win. The brilliant performances of defenders or holding midfielders can be overlooked, when a huge part of the game is about having a solid platform to build from, allowing the forwards to do their thing.

Excellent point, and there's no way Leicester would have won the league in 2016 without the presence of N'Golo Kanté in their midfield, his energy and ball winning allowed the flair players such as Mahrez to flourish.

It's not just Henderson's performances that have caught the eye, it's his general demeanour on and off the pitch, and his consistency has been tremendous, how many poor games has he had this year, i can't think of many, and despite all the superstars Liverpool never quite look the same force when he's missing, that's when you realise his value to them.

[cricketfieldclarets]

Ings has to get a mention. Ive no doubt without him Southampton would have gone down.

And full credit to him. I wouldnt have had him at Burnley. Thought injuries would have ruined his career. But he has worked his socks off and proved what a good player he is. I questioned his mentality when he didnt take that penalty for us against Leicester a few years ago. But his mentality must be pretty good to achieve what he has after THREE cruciates.

[Woodleyclaret]

Is this a wind up?

[ClaretTony]

Ings has to get a mention. Ive no doubt without him Southampton would have gone down.

And full credit to him. I wouldnt have had him at Burnley. Thought injuries would have ruined his career. But he has worked his socks off and proved what a good player he is. I questioned his mentality when he didnt take that penalty for us against Leicester a few years ago. But his mentality must be pretty good to achieve what he has after THREE cruciates.

Only one cruciate - that at Liverpool. Three other knee injuries but not as serious.

[aclaretinstevenage]

Up until last season I couldn't see what he offered as a player but Klopp has worked wonders with him to the extent that for me Henderson was nailed on as the Player of the Year this year having improved again on what he did last year.

[cricketfieldclarets]

Only one cruciate - that at Liverpool. Three other knee injuries but not as serious.

Point remains. The second knee injury kept him out longer than the cruciate. Often the case I believe. When the knee cant be used other areas end up weaker or more at risk of injury. Including upper leg muscles.

Hes done incredibly well.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Is anyone else totally baffled how he has won the “writers” best premier league player of the season?

I don’t think he is even in the top 5 Liverpool players this season. Let along the entire league.

I think him winning it makes a complete mockery of the award.

De Bruyne/Mane/Trent Alexander Arnold must be perplexed with how a midfielder with the grand total of 4 goals and 5 assists this season has won it

[Rileybobs]

I’m sure you know this but it’s not his role to score goals and get assists.

[CrosspoolClarets]

Heartbeat of the Liverpool side. Holds it all together. Crucial with a front three who don’t track back much.

[Vegas Claret]

other than the Chelsea game Liverpool haven't been anywhere near what they were before Henderson getting injured, Klopp has worked miracles with him

[Newcastleclaret93]

I do understand but your point is kind of irrelevant given that I mentioned a RB, who btw has also contributed more goals and assists than Henderson this season.

Come on Rileybobs you can’t honestly say he has been the best player this season.

I would give it to Ings before him.

[Newcastleclaret93]

other than the Chelsea game Liverpool haven't been anywhere near what they were before Henderson getting injured, Klopp has worked miracles with him

Vegas they were on worst run before lockdown. They lost 4 out of there 6 games before lockdown. Henderson started in all of the games.

[Rileybobs]

I do understand but your point is kind of irrelevant given that I mentioned a RB, who btw has also contributed more goals and assists than Henderson this season.

Come on Rileybobs you can’t honestly say he has been the best player this season.

I would give it to Ings before him.

You’re suggesting Ings purely on goals scored. What has he helped his team to achieve? Henderson has captained his side to a PL title and been instrumental in their success. In football there is a place for the flair players and the goal scorers, but equally important are players like Henderson. As I’m sure Burnley fans would appreciate having lauded Barton, for example.

And Henderson has scored the same number of goals as TAA.

[Newcastleclaret93]

You’re suggesting Ings purely on goals scored. What has he helped his team to achieve? Henderson has captained his side to a PL title and been instrumental in their success. In football there is a place for the flair players and the goal scorers, but equally important are players like Henderson. As I’m sure Burnley fans would appreciate having lauded Barton, for example.

And Henderson has scored the same number of goals as TAA.

So with your logic Westwood should be considered for the award. He has helped Burnley to record points tally and is instrumental to the team.

You are talking complete rubbish, these awards are always won by truly special players, players that win games.

Henderson is bang average and I would argue wouldn’t get in Uniteds, City, Chelsea or arsenals midfield

[Rileybobs]

So with your logic Westwood should be considered for the award. He has helped Burnley to record points tally and is instrumental to the team.

You are talking complete rubbish, these awards are always won by truly special players, players that win games.

Henderson is bang average and I would argue wouldn’t get in Uniteds, City, Chelsea or arsenals midfield

No, that’s some odd logic that you’re using, comparing Westwood’s season to Henderson’s.

If you think I’m talking rubbish that’s fine, it’s your opinion, but a lot of more qualified people disagree with you.

Henderson definitely isn’t bang average, and if he wouldn’t get into the teams that you mention then they either don’t play a system to suit him or they’re obviously missing out. To suggest he wouldn’t get into Arsenal’s midfield is laughable.

Edit - thinking about it he’d walk into all the teams you’ve mentioned other than City - who play a completely different style.

[BenWickes]

You are talking complete rubbish, these awards are always won by truly special players, players that win games.

There's been several keepers and defenders who have won the award. Steve Nicol, Neville Southall, Pat Jennings, Gordon Banks, Bobby Moore, Jack Charlton etc. It's not exclusively got people who have lovely hair, a nice bit of skill and can shoot!

[ClaretTony]

Nothing will change my mind. He’s had a brilliant season and has been the driving force behind the best team in the country, leading them to the title. Would have been my first choice all along.

[Newcastleclaret93]

No, that’s some odd logic that you’re using, comparing Westwood’s season to Henderson’s.

If you think I’m talking rubbish that’s fine, it’s your opinion, but a lot of more qualified people disagree with you.

Henderson definitely isn’t bang average, and if he wouldn’t get into the teams that you mention then they either don’t play a system to suit him or they’re obviously missing out. To suggest he wouldn’t get into Arsenal’s midfield is laughable.

Edit - thinking about it he’d walk into all the teams you’ve mentioned other than City - who play a completely different style.

The point about people being more qualified is a strange one.
Are you really suggesting journalists really have any kind of higher football knowledge than the average fan? Even Liverpool fans on social media are saying he didn’t deserve it, he’s not even been Liverpool’s best player let alone the leagues

This award is nothing more than a gesture from the writers and the fact Henderson has won highlights that.

He won’t get in the top 5 at the PFA awards and rightly so. He’s not fit to lace De bruynes boots.

[dpinsussex]

He is one of those players imo that doesnt stand out as man of the match but just does the dirty work and gets very little recognition for it.
Good to see hard graft get recognised. You never know that hard graft recognition might filter through to the clarets next year

[Newcastleclaret93]

Nothing will change my mind. He’s had a brilliant season and has been the driving force behind the best team in the country, leading them to the title. Would have been my first choice all along.

Tony what has Henderson done this season that you can deem as exceptional to make him the “Leagues best footballer”

Is he the best defensive midfielder? No Fabinho was
Is he the best passer? No De Bruyne was
Is he the best tackler? No Wan Bissaka was
Does he score and assist? No he actually has less goals and assists than mason mount
Did he cover the most ground in midfield? No


Tony if you can’t answer he has been exceptional at an area of the game than he doesn’t deserve the award.

And plus the point people are making that Liverpool play better with him in the team is a compete myth.
They have lost 6 games this season, he played in 5.

[Burnley1989]

Tony what has Henderson done this season that you can deem as exceptional to make him the “Leagues best footballer”

Is he the best defensive midfielder? No Fabinho was
Is he the best passer? No De Bruyne was
Is he the best tackler? No Wan Bissaka was
Does he score and assist? No he actually has less goals and assists than mason mount
Did he cover the most ground in midfield? No


Tony if you can’t answer he has been exceptional at an area of the game than he doesn’t deserve the award.

And plus the point people are making that Liverpool play better with him in the team is a compete myth.
They have lost 6 games this season, he played in 5.

Maybe his all round game is better than anyone else’s, rather than one area

[Rileybobs]

The point about people being more qualified is a strange one.
Are you really suggesting journalists really have any kind of higher football knowledge than the average fan? Even Liverpool fans on social media are saying he didn’t deserve it, he’s not even been Liverpool’s best player let alone the leagues

This award is nothing more than a gesture from the writers and the fact Henderson has won highlights that.

He won’t get in the top 5 at the PFA awards and rightly so. He’s not fit to lace De bruynes boots.

Yes, people who get paid to write about football will have a higher football knowledge than the general fan. That’s just a fact.

Not everyone is going to agree with a subjective award like this so I’m not surprised to hear that some Liverpool fans disagree. I presume a lot also agree.

This isn’t about whether he’s fit to lace DeBruyne’s boots. This isn’t who has got the highest rating on Fifa. Henderson has played a pivotal role in captaining his side to a PL title by an absolute landslide. For all of DeBruyne’s talent, and there’s an awful lot, his contribution hasn’t materialised into anything.

[Rileybobs]

Tony what has Henderson done this season that you can deem as exceptional to make him the “Leagues best footballer”

Is he the best defensive midfielder? No Fabinho was
Is he the best passer? No De Bruyne was
Is he the best tackler? No Wan Bissaka was
Does he score and assist? No he actually has less goals and assists than mason mount
Did he cover the most ground in midfield? No


Tony if you can’t answer he has been exceptional at an area of the game than he doesn’t deserve the award.

And plus the point people are making that Liverpool play better with him in the team is a compete myth.
They have lost 6 games this season, he played in 5.

Nobody has said he’s the league’s best player. I think you might have misunderstood the award.

[ClaretTony]

He won’t get in the top 5 at the PFA awards and rightly so. He’s not fit to lace De bruynes boots.

I’ll be amazed if he’s not in the PFA top five

[Newcastleclaret93]

Nobody has said he’s the league’s best player. I think you might have misunderstood the award.

The award is for footballer of year, the player that journalists deem to be the best player in the league this season.

What am I misunderstanding?

[Rileybobs]

The award is for footballer of year, the player that journalists deem to be the best player in the league this season.

What am I misunderstanding?

Being classed as the footballer of the year is totally different to being classed as the best footballer in the league.

[DCWat]

Excellent point, and there's no way Leicester would have won the league in 2016 without the presence of N'Golo Kanté in their midfield, his energy and ball winning allowed the flair players such as Mahrez to flourish.

It's not just Henderson's performances that have caught the eye, it's his general demeanour on and off the pitch, and his consistency has been tremendous, how many poor games has he had this year, i can't think of many, and despite all the superstars Liverpool never quite look the same force when he's missing, that's when you realise his value to them.

Kante is exactly who I was thinking of as the last ‘worker’ to have been up there for player of the year. He was unbelievably good in that season, for Leicester.

[ClaretTony]

Kante is exactly who I was thinking of as the last ‘worker’ to have been up there for player of the year. He was unbelievably good in that season, for Leicester.

Kanté won it in his first season at Chelsea

[Stanbill05]

Excellent leader of the Liverpool high press, strong leader on and off the pitch and decent at breaking up the play and feeding the flair players with simple balls. No argument from me that he has been very influential.

But,

Very average passing range, not really a dribbler and a rabbit in headlights when in front of goal. Can’t shoot for toffee.

Takes all sorts, but I’d hope a footballer of the year would have more technical ability than Henderson. There isn’t an obvious better option this year, which is a poor reflection of the season.

[SalouClaret]

I don't mind Henderson, Liverpool always play better with him in the team... but let's be honest, De Bruyne is streets ahead. 11 goals and 19 assists so far. For an individual award for player of the season, Henderson wouldn't make my top 5.

[DCWat]

Kanté won it in his first season at Chelsea

Yes - I’d have had him ahead of Vardy in the season that Leicester won the league.