How It Started vs How It's Going: Part 2

My last post revisited the Premier League predictions I made back in the summer, and whether I’ve stuck with some of my original picks or drastically changed my mind. This week, the attention is shifted to the individual honours. A lot has happened through the first five months or so, such that it’s inevitable that opinions change. The question is, how much have they changed? Let’s find out, shall we?

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Player of the Season: Mohamed Salah

I got this one so wrong, I’ll be the first to admit. My original winner for this was Rodri, but he’s done for the season so there’s no chance he wins this. Don’t think it’s a surprise that I’ve now opted for Salah, who is the clear favourite. For a man that’s 32, he looks as good as he’s ever looked. People think he’s simply just a goalscorer, but his playmaking ability is really slept on. Not only is the league’s top scorer, but he also leads the league in assists. He’s been Liverpool’s main as they look set to win their second Premier League title. In a year where his contract is running down and speculation is fuelling that this might be his last year, he’s going out with a bang.

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Young Player of the Season: Cole Palmer

Another one I got terribly wrong. Nothing against Kobbie Mainoo, but he never really had a chance in winning this one. So again, I’m going to go with the boring pick of Cole Palmer. I was curious to see how he’d do in his second season at Chelsea, to see whether what he achieved in his first year was just a fluke. Well, it certainly wasn’t. He’s the reason why Chelsea are strong favourites to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 2022. The way he influences matches from the #10 position is incredible and he plays the game with such ease. 19 goal involvements in 20 matches says it all. Honourable mentions go to Liam Delap of Ipswich and Morgan Rodgers of Villa, both of whom are having good seasons.

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Manager of the Season: Arne Slot/Nuno Espirto Santo

My vote for this one is split. If Liverpool were to win the league, I would probably lean more towards Slot. When Klopp left last summer, people assumed that there might be a bit of a drop off as the players got used to a new voice in the dressing room. However, Slot has come in and said, “forget that nonsense, I’m going to take the league by storm”. At this point, Liverpool look a cut above the rest and if they were to win the title, all the praise should go to the Dutchman. On the other hand, Forest qualifying for Europe would be another phenomenal achievement. Remember, this is a team that finished 17th in the 2023/24. So, to go from fighting for survival to fighting for Europe, how can Nuno not be in the mix?

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Top Scorer: Mohamed Salah

Another award that looks set to go to the Egyptian. If people read my predictions right at the start of the campaign, I said barring disaster, I expect Haaland to win a third successive golden boot. The Norwegian is only 2 goals behind Salah, but looking at the form of both players, it’s Salah’s to lose. He is firing on all cylinders, and goals are coming easy for him in his Liverpool side. He could join Thierry Henry as the only players to win the golden boot 4 different times, as well as score over 20 goals in 5 different seasons. For a supposed “winger” his numbers continue to astound. We need to appreciate just what we’re seeing from Salah. If he is to leave Merseyside at the end of the season, he will go down as one of the greatest to ever to it in the Premier League.

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Best Signing: Nikola Milenkovic

I had to have a real think about this one, as there isn’t someone that immediately jumped to my mind. Given how well Forest are going, I’ve gone for the big Serbian centre-back. Only Arsenal have conceded fewer goals than the team from the East Midlands, and Milenkovic has been crucial to their defensive transformation. Not much was made when he signed from Fiorentina, but at £12m, he’s proving to be a steal. His towering presence (standing a 6’4) has helped Forest solve their aerial weaknesses. He’s such an imposing figure at the back and he’s slotted in seamlessly thus far. I’ve watched him a few times, and the thing I like about him the most is, he’s one of those no-nonsense defenders that doesn’t overcomplicate things. Signing of the season for me.

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Worst Signing: Joshua Zirkzee

It’s funny because whilst I had Gündoğan as the best signing, but you could make the case he’s been one of the worst. However, for the worst signing, I had to pick Joshua Zirkzee. It’s nothing against him, but this move has not worked at all. It never made sense why United would sign another young, not very prolific striker from Serie A. Granted United have been a mess this season and it’s not purely down to him. However, when I watch him, he doesn’t look desperate to score. He seems more concerned with dropping into midfield and being involved in build-up play. Now with Amorim at the helm, he doesn’t suit his system. He doesn’t have the mobility to play the #9, and he’s not technically good enough to fill one of the two #10s. All in all, a strange signing in my opinion.

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This Week’s Hot Take

I have a feeling that if I were to review these predictions once the season has drawn to a close, I’m confident that I’ll be spot on with most of my picks. Football fans know the second half of the season is where we get into the nitty gritty, where the pressure stands to mount. Things can change drastically, however, based on what we’ve seen already, I don’t think I’ll change my mind once again.