The English Premier League announced its Young Player of the Season 2020 award winner on Friday and it was not, sadly, American dynamo Christian Pulisic. As much as we Americans wanted the Pennsylvania native to win the honor, the award went to — surprise — an Englishman.
Pulisic enthralled at times in his first season in London, especially after the season resumed this summer following its Covid-19 hiatus. The 21-year-old supplied four goals and four assists in nine Premier League matches after the restart, giving him nine goals and six assists in league competition, including a perfect hat trick. He reached double-digit goals and assists (11 and 10) in all competitions for one of Europe’s biggest clubs, no small feat for anyone, let alone one barely old enough to drink legally in the U.S.
Despite those impressive stats, the Premier League chose Liverpool wingback Trent Alexander-Arnold to win its inaugural Young Player of the Season honor, which is awarded to the best player under the age of 23 at the start of the season.
Merseyside's Finest™️@trentaa98 is your @TAGHeuer Young Player of the Season #PLAwards pic.twitter.com/70VFJAV0de
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 14, 2020
So, should Americans feel aggrieved over the voting? Is this another Jordan Henderson-Green Book situation?
Well, no.
Pulisic had a pretty good campaign, overcoming injuries to put up the best offensive season an American has had in England since Clint Dempsey. But TAA was a worthy choice, even if there was probably a better choice.
Alexander-Arnold was brilliant at fullback for Jurgen Klopp. While nominally a defender, the 21-year-old provided an astonishing 13 assists, trailing only Kevin de Bruyne in that category. He also added four goals, not to mention he helped his team win the whole damn league for the first time in 30 years.
While the Liverpool youngster was a fine choice, we’re a bit surprised the honor didn’t go to Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford. As great of a season as Pulisic had, Rashford, also a left winger, was even better offensively. The Red Devil racked up 17 goals and eight assists in the Prem, also reaching double-digit goals and assists in all competitions.
So while Pulisic was beaten out by an Englishman for an award picked by Englishmen, the truth is there was another Englishman who was better in almost every category statistically. If anything, Manchester United fans should be upset the league followed the FWA in promoting the pro-Liverpool narrative.
But hey, there’s always next year. And maybe the PFA will throw America a bone and give Pulisic the PFA Young Player of the Season 2020 award.
