Henderson beats van Dijk, Mane and de Bruyne to player of year award

July 24 – Liverpool’s Premier League title-winning captain Jordan Henderson has been named England’s footballer of the year in the annual award by the country’s football writers.

The 30-year-old midfielder, who led Liverpool to their first league title in 30 years this season, received more than a quarter of the votes.

“As grateful as I am I don’t feel like I can accept this on my own,” he said. “I owe a lot to so many people but none more so than my current team-mates, who have been incredible and deserve this every bit as much as I do.”

Team-mates Virgil van Dijk and Sadio Mane, Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne and Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford also finished in the top five.

“I accept [the award] on behalf of this whole squad, because without them I’m not in a position to be receiving this honour. These lads have made me a better player – a better leader and a better person,” said Henderson.

“If anything I hope those who voted for me did so partly to recognise the entire team’s contribution.”

The Footballer of the Year trophy has been awarded since 1948 when Stanley Matthews was its first recipient.

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