Welcome to part one of Bitter and Blue’s end of season awards!
It’s been an up and down season for City, where they failed to win any trophies but can still be satisfied with a third place Premier League finish.
Over the next few weeks, our writers will be asking the important questions off the back of the season, as we try to cope with the tedium of a few weeks without City followed by a pointless international break and the inevitable disappointment of the needless and quite frankly inconvenient FIFA Club World Cup.
Kicking us off, who has been Manchester City’s men’s Player of the Season? Here are our writer’s thoughts:
Saul
A really tricky question given the results of the season. Still, I do think the vote would have to be for Erling Haaland, who despite the injury played really well for most of the season. The goals were importantly and as he showed in the final match, we finally have a nailed on penalty taker. Honourable mention to Omar Marmoush and Kevin De Bruyne who had special second halves of the season.
Saul’s pick - Erling Haaland
West Ham United FC v Manchester City FC - Premier League Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images
Will
My feelings are that there is only one option here.
Credit to Haaland, Matheus Nunes, Mateo Kovacic and Marmoush since he joined. Those four can all say they’ve been pretty solid all season, whereas everyone else around them has either been injured constantly or has had rough patches of form.
Everyone that is, except for Josko Gvardiol.
The Croatian defender has been more or less an ever present this season, playing 300 more minutes than Rodri did last season. If it weren't for him, City would’ve crumbled back in November.
Not just is he reliable, and versatile, but also incredible. At just 23, he’s one of the best defenders in the world and will only get better.
Will’s pick - Josko Gvardiol
Nottingham Forest v Manchester City - Emirates FA Cup Semi Final Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
Pete
I would have gone for Gvardiol as I think he has been quite solid this season. However, my vote goes to Nico O’Reilly.
When City spend the amounts like they did in the winter transfer window, yet you still manage to break into the first team and stay there, it is something special.
And O’Reilly doesn’t look out of place in the starting eleven either. He’s not afraid to run at defenders, or even showing of bits of skill.
If he continues to take his chances in the first team, I think he’ll cement his place jn the starting lineup. He’s definitely one to watch.
Pete’s pick - Nico O’Reilly
Manchester City FC v Crystal Palace FC - Premier League Photo by Ben Roberts - Danehouse/Getty Images
Conclusion
So there we have it, the Player of the Season is sorted. Three different answers - pretty impressive, considering how inconsistent City have been throughout most of this season.
Good job guys!
What do you think about our choices? Let us know in the comments.
BandB end of season awards
|Saul|Pete|Will|