TalkSPORT pundit Martin Keown says Manchester City fullback Kyle Walker is more deserving of a Player of the Season nomination than Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk.
The Reds captain was on a 8 player shortlist for the Premier League award but Keown believes Walker and Arsenal pair William Saliba & Gabriel have arguably had better seasons:
“I do find it a little bit strange that Van Dijk is in there, but where are [William] Saliba and Gabriel? You are going to say I am biased, but it’s time, I think, they got the credit they deserve. 17 clean sheets this season.”
“Maybe there should be a few more mentions for defenders per se. [Kyle] Walker as well has faded a little bit recently. He has had a few injuries, but another player that we could have seen.”
Walker has had a strong season
As Keown mentions, the England international has had to deal with some fitness problems over the past couple of months but he was incredibly consistent before that.
Considering that Walker turns 34 later this month, the fullback is in remarkably good shape for his age and Pep Guardiola undoubtedly made the right choice in persuading him to stay and sign a new contract last summer.
City fans can still nominate two of their players for the Player of the Season award
While Walker may not be among the nominees, Erling Haaland and Phil Foden are. Supporters do get to have a say on who wins the accolade and you can vote for either player by heading to this page here.
The voting closes on Monday 13th May at 12 PM BST. The winner will be decided by a combination of the public’s vote and a panel of football experts. We will find out who wins the award in a week’s time on Saturday 18th May.
