Luis Suarez has been voted the Footballer Writers Player of the Year, a week after also winning the PFA Player of the Year award.
The often-controversial Uruguayan has been nothing short of sensational this term, with his 30 goals keeping Liverpool in contention for a first league title since 1990. Suarez, who missed the start of the season due to suspension, has also assisted in 21 more goals, as he establishes himself as one of the best players in European football.
It was no surprise when the 27-year-old forward was voted as the pick of the Premier League by his fellow professionals last weekend, and now the Football Writers Association have followed suit. Of over 300 journalists entitled to a vote, the former Ajax man pipped team-mate Steven Gerrard and Manchester City’s Yaya Toure.
FWA chairman Andy Dunn, who writes for the Sunday Mirror, said on Monday afternoon: “Those members who have been fortunate enough to be working at a match involving Luis Suarez this season have witnessed an astonishing talent first-hand. Luis is a remarkably gifted addition to the long and distinguished list of winners of our award.
“I must stress the importance in this award that the football writers are asked to base their decision on obviously the footballing contribution throughout the season, but also to take into account the player’s behaviour – the original citation for the FWA award back in 1947/48 mentioned ‘precept and example’, so that is taken into account.
“While no-one would say Suarez is whiter than white, you would have to say his behaviour all throughout the season has been very good and I think that has been taken into account, an element of redemption if you like, and allied with those 30 goals, and the sensational talent he has displayed all season, that made him a very, very popular choice.”
The chances of Suarez ending the season with a Premier League medal to add to his personal haul appears to be decreasing following Liverpool’s 2-0 defeat to Chelsea last week. Manchester City have since won at Crystal Palace and Everton, and will reclaim the title they lost to neighbours United last season if they win their last two matches.
Brendan Rodgers’ side will hope to at least take the race to the final weekend of the campaign, and they will do that if they beat Palace on Monday night. Should the Blues then beat Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium, both of the North West giants will head into the final game of the season on 83 points each, but Manuel Pellegrini’s outfit currently have a better goal difference. Newcastle United are the visitors to Anfield for the Sunday showdown, whilst Sam Allardyce’s West Ham United travel to the Etihad Stadium.
