Phil Foden and Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw have made history as the first Man City pair to win their respective Footballer Writers’ Association’s Footballer of the Year awards since 2019. Foden emerged victorious ahead of strong contenders Declan Rice and Rodri, while Shaw claimed the award with a notable lead over Chelsea’s Lauren James. This achievement marks the second time that two Manchester City players have secured the men’s and women’s awards, with Raheem Sterling and Nikita Parris accomplishing this feat in 2019.
Foden’s win saw him capture 42 per cent of the members’ votes, making him the third Man City player in the last four years to claim the men’s Footballer of the Year honor, following in the footsteps of Ruben Dias in 2021 and Erling Haaland in 2023. His remarkable season included 16 Premier League goals and seven assists, in addition to five goals and three assists in the UEFA Champions League, and two goals in the FA Cup.
Meanwhile, Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw’s exceptional performance in the 2023/24 season earned her the women’s Footballer of the Year award, garnering an impressive 80 per cent of the votes. The Man City striker’s outstanding 21 goals and three assists in 18 WSL games played a pivotal role in her team’s pursuit of their first league title since 2016. Despite being sidelined for the final three games of the season due to a foot injury sustained in a match against West Ham, Shaw’s impactful contribution throughout the season was undeniable.
As the WSL title remains within reach for Manchester City, who presently hold a six-point lead over Chelsea with a game in hand, both Foden and Shaw have played integral roles in their respective teams’ successes. With a tantalizing FA Cup final against Manchester United on the horizon, Manchester City’s pursuit of a fifth successive Premier League title adds another layer of excitement to an already remarkable season for both players.
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