Peter Crouch backs Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka to win the Premier League’s Young Player of the Year award. But he adds that Phil Foden and Alejandro Garnacho cannot be ignored.
Arsenal are in the fight with Foden’s Manchester City to win the top-flight title this season thanks to Saka’s efforts. The Gunners are five points clear of the Citizens at the top of the table after 27 games. Garnacho’s Manchester United are third but another 11 points back.
Saka has played an instrumental role in Mikel Arteta’s squad at Emirates Stadium. The 21-year-old has offered 10 goals and nine assists from 27 appearances having started in every game to date. His 2,323 minutes so far are also the fourth-most by any Gunners player yet.
Saka has enjoyed a more productive season than Foden and Garnacho so far
Only Gabriel Martinelli has scored more often for Arsenal so far this season than Saka with 12, as well. While no other member of Arteta’s squad has offered more than seven assists. Martin Odegaard ranks second at the club for goals and assists with 10 and seven of each.
Foden has not been as productive in the Premier League so far this season for Manchester City as Saka has for Arsenal. The 22-year-old has scored nine and assisted four goals over his 24 appearances. Pep Guardiola has also only started him in 17 of a potential 25 games.
As for Garnacho, the 18-year-old has enjoyed a steady first full season as a Premier League player. Ralf Rangnick handed the Argentine his top-flight debut while caretaker manager in April 2022. The Madrid-born ace has scored and assisted two goals in 15 outings this term.
Erik ten Hag played Garnacho’s introduction to his plans at Old Trafford with patience after taking charge last summer. The teenager only played one minute in the Premier League up to November. He has also only started in four of his 15 outings from a possible 23 matches.
Crouch backs Saka to win the Premier League’s Young Player of the Year award
So, given his role in Arsenal’s title push, Crouch believes Saka deserves to win the Premier League’s Young Player of the Year award. It recognises the top-performing player aged 23 or younger. The PFA also recognises the best player aged 21 or younger in the top-flight.
“There’s amazing young players [in the Premier League],” Crouch has told the Daily Mail. “It feels like Phil Foden’s been around forever. He’s won everything and we don’t even see him as young anymore!
“What Bukayo Saka’s doing now, he’s Young Player of the Season for me. But we shouldn’t forget how good Foden is. There’s some great young players coming through – Garnacho emerging, as well. There’s so many players that we can hang our hopes on.”
Alternatively, Troy Deeney recently backed Leeds United gem Wilfried Gnonto to be in the hunt for the Premier League’s Young Player of the Year award. The Italian has produced an impressive debut season with two goals in 15 games following a £4m move from FC Zurich.
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