And The Oscar Goes To
- Daniel Austin-Chukwu
- Jun 18, 2022
- 4 min read
It’s that time of the year where we recognise the very best (and very worst) that this football season has had to offer. This year, there have been some phenomenal performers and dreadful ones. So, let’s see who the victors (and losers) were in 2021/2022.
Manchester United
Player of the Season: Cristiano Ronaldo
Without this man's goals, who knows how far down the table we would have finished. No normal player at the age of 37 should have accomplished what he managed to, finishing as the league’s third highest scorer with 18 goals. Some strikers in their prime don’t even get that many goals in a season let alone a player who really should be slowing down. You could say that his production came at the expense of others, but without him, we would have been in a world of trouble.
Young Player of the Season: Anthony Elanga
I didn’t know much about Elanga before the campaign begun, but from what I saw, I was impressed. In a season filled with dark moments, he was one shining light. From his instant impact against Atletico in the Champions League to crucial goals against Leeds and Brentford, he’s been one of the few good players for United. What I like most about him is his fearlessness, consistently backing himself even after setbacks. His missed penalty against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup could have wrecked his season. But no, this young gun is made of sterner stuff. I’m excited to see his career at United progress in the coming years.
Best Signing: Cristiano Ronaldo
This was a no brainer. Raphaël Varane has had a shaky start to his United career. It seems like him being partnered with Sergio Ramos at Madrid for all those years made him look better than he is. Yes, it’s tricky getting accustomed to the Premier League, but he has been anything but the epitome of confidence. Likewise, Jadon Sancho has found it hard back in England. Towards the end of the season his performances did improve, but he has struggled to cope with the pace of the league. Simply by a process of elimination, Ronaldo was always going to be my winner.
Worst Signing: Raphaël Varane
I’m giving this to Varane because the difference between his actual and expected performances has been alarming. When he signed, I thought he was the missing piece in our defence. Quick, strong, athletic. On paper, he has all the attributes to be an elite centre-back for United. But from what I’ve seen thus far, he hasn’t come close to what I expected. For that reason, this award unfortunately goes to him.
Premier League
Player of the Season: Heung-Min Son
Son really doesn’t get the love that he deserves. He bagged 23 goals (joint top-scorer) and 7 assists in the league. 30 goal contributions for a Spurs team that under Conte aren’t necessarily known for their free-flowing attacking football is staggering. People talk about how pivotal Harry Kane is to this Spurs team. Son is just as important. He should be talked about in the same brackets as forwards like Salah and Mane, and this season, he showed all of us why.
Young Player of the Season: Bukayo Saka
I’m a big fan of Saka. Ever since he become a regular in the Arsenal starting XI, his influence on the team has been undeniable. The spirit with which he plays the game is great to see. I don’t know many players at his age who could carry the burden that he has to. What makes his season even better was, out of the players who missed a penalty for England in the Euro 2020 final against Italy, he was the only player to not let that setback get the best of him. In fact, he embraced that disappointment and, went out to prove why he deserves this honour.
Manager of the Season: Eddie Howe
Now hear me out. The obvious choice would be to pick either Guardiola or Klopp. But here on Let’s Talk About Football, we do things differently. When Eddie Howe became the Newcastle coach in November, they were in the relegation places and, although it was early in the season, it looked for all the world that they were going down. The way Eddie managed to endear himself to the players and got them to buy into his philosophy is a testament to his greatness. They went from struggling to stay in this league to finishing comfortably mid-table. With the financial backing from their new owners, who knows what Newcastle will achieve next season.
Best Signing of the Season: Luis Diaz (Porto to Liverpool)
How do Liverpool keep finding these bargains? Silly me thinking Liverpool would have trouble replacing their formidable front three, they sign this Colombian trickster from Porto for £37m. Watching him play, you’d think he’s been at Liverpool all his career. I couldn’t have predicted the speed at which he would have acclimatised to this league. He plays the game with such tenacity, energy, and aggression, always trying to make something happen whenever he’s on the ball. If he maintains this blistering start to his Liverpool career, there’s no telling what he could achieve.
Worst Signing of the Season: Romelu Lukaku (Inter to Chelsea)
I don’t want to say I told you so, but… I was always sceptical of this move. People were trying to convince me that Chelsea were signing a monster of a striker, a player completely different from his spell at United. I didn’t buy it. Yes, he had 2 great years at Inter, but with all due respect to the Serie A, the Premier League is a different animal. 8 goals in 26 appearances is unacceptable from your marquee signing, someone who cost nearly £100m. If he leaves in the summer (which is rumoured), it will be further proof of how bad this signing was.
This Week’s Hot Take
Bukayo Saka should have won the official Premier League Young Player of the Season over Phil Foden. I’m not saying that Saka is better than Foden. Put simply, if this season you took Foden out of City, they’d probably still win the league. You take Saka out of Arsenal, they don't come close to competing for Champions League football.
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