Pep Guardiola: Man City Manager Names Contender for Player of the Year Awards

• Pep Guardiola believes Phil Foden deserves to win the Player of the Year award
• Foden scored a hat-trick as Manchester City defeated Aston Villa 4-1
• The Academy graduate has bagged twelve Premier League goals this season

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola asserts that Phil Foden's exceptional performance throughout the current season warrants his consideration for the prestigious 2024 Player of the Year accolades.

Foden's remarkable hat-trick during Wednesday's impressive 4-1 Premier League victory against Aston Villa marks another highlight in his series of outstanding individual showcases during the ongoing 2023/24 campaign.

In 2021 and 2022, Phil Foden secured both the PFA and Premier League Young Player of the Year awards via Squawka.

With his contribution to the Etihad treble, Foden's season tally reached 21 goals, accompanied by 10 assists, making it his most prolific campaign to date.

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Speaking to the media during Friday's pre-match press conference before Saturday's match against Crystal Palace, the City manager emphasized that Foden should be considered a contender for the esteemed PFA, Premier League, and Football Writers' Association Player of the Year honours.

“I think he is a contender, like many others,” Pep declared via Daily Post.

“There are many, many players who play really, really good all season. Not just Phil. But I think he can be a contender, for sure, because of the numbers, consistency and the level of his game.

“Always he has [an] incredible work ethic.

Foden celebrates on social media

In an earlier publication, Sports Brief reported that Phil Foden celebrated Manchester City's win but also his own scoring feat on social media.

The Englishman achieved his first hat-trick of the season against Brentford last February and replicated the feat at a crucial moment for Man City.

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The victory against Aston Villa, inspired by Foden, means City remain in contention for the Premier League title, trailing Arsenal by one point.

Phil Foden joins Ronaldo in record books

Sports Brief also reported on the elite group of players Phil Foden joined after his hat trick against Aston Villa.

Foden now joins an elite group of players who have achieved 20+ goals and 10+ assists while playing in Europe's top five leagues.

He now shares the same number of Premier League hat-tricks as legends like Frank Lampard, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Didier Drogba.