Foxes of Leicester nominates Leicester City’s Player and Young Player of the Year for 2019/20, from some great performers.
As we reach the twilight stages of the Premier League season, the time has come to reflect on the performances so far this campaign, with the aim of deciding two players that deserve recognition in the form of individual awards – Young Player of The Season and Player of The Season.
Firstly, Young Player of The Season. Last years ceremony crowned James Maddison the finest young talent of Leicester City’s season, and it’s hard to argue with that. The then 21-year-old, contributed towards 14 of the Foxes’ goals throughout the campaign (7 goals and 7 assists), and was rewarded soon after with his first England appearance – a cameo in their 7-0 dismantle of Montenegro.
This time out, Maddison’s name would have definitely been in contention again, had he fit the criteria of being aged 21 or under. A stellar season for the former Norwich City attacking-midfielder, ending with a total of 9 goals contributions (6 goals and 3 assists). However, for me, this years award deserves to go to somebody a little closer to the Leicester City home, one of their own.
It’s been a terrific second Premier League campaign for exciting left-winger, Harvey Barnes, and one that’s fitting of an individual award. Barnes’ goal contributions match that of Maddison’s Young Player of the Season campaign, with 14 goal contributions (6 goals and 8 assists) and that’s one of a few justifiable reasons that the Countesthorpe-born winger deserves the award.
Barnes has the seventh highest ranking on the goal-creating actions (GCA) per 90 metric for the entire league, with a very impressive 0.65. In essence, the metric encompasses players who aren’t directly involved in the making of a goal (i.e goal or assist), instead it attributes success to all the players involved who heightened the chances of scoring the goal. This means that although Barnes was able to assist 8 goals this season, he played a contributing role in a further 7 more goals, leaving him with a GCA of 15 for the season.
All of this, whilst only being 21-years-old. It’s easy to forget the cries of the Foxes faithful, begging for an elite winger to join the ranks ahead of the 2019/20 Premier League season, when an academy product has subsidised this output for an entire year. This isn’t to say he’s been perfect, Barnes definitely has his intrinsic flaws – off-the-ball movements, fragile confidence (mentality), and occasionally poor decision-making. But given the importance of his role to Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City, Barnes has delivered to a level not many could have foreseen.
During last seasons awards, Ricardo Pereira rightly swept the floor winning both the Spectators Player of The Season and the Players’ Player of The Season. The Portuguese right-back furthered his magnificent form into this campaign, but a major injury has ruled him out of all the games post-restart, consequently missing 23.6% of Leicester City’s Premier League games this season.
I’d argue the defender still deserves the award, but I feel it’s unfair to those who’ve performed to a consistent level through the entirety of the season. For that reason, my Player of The Year is Jamie Vardy, surprisingly claiming the award for the first time in his eight-year tenure with Leicester City.
It surprised many that Vardy’s contribution to the historic title-winning season in 2015-2016, didn’t reward the former non-league striker with the Player of The Year Award. Having said that his competition was Riyad Mahrez, who also won the PFA Player of The Year that season.
The 32-year-old is one goal away from equalling his tally from that campaign, with 23 goals so far this season. It’s difficult to appreciate and comprehend the impressive nature of his sustained run of performances – when it’s become ordinary for the front-man.
I think capping this season off with an individual award would be fitting, especially if Vardy also collects the Golden Boot for the Premier League. For me, I’ve gained an added level of appreciation because of how the veteran-striker has reinvigorated his game to impose himself in a different system – with the same results.
As of Rodgers’ reign, the opposition have started deploying low-blocks with minimal space to exploit in-behind – this is an attempt to neutralise the majority of Vardy’s qualities. Yet, even with his tactical consideration, so heavily leant on removing what Vardy brings to the Foxes, he’s the league’s top goal-scorer and remains a consistent threat just in a different fashion.
It’s safe to say Vardy’s entire career has disproved the myth of ageing players. A first appearance in the Premier League at the age of 27, and an initial international appearance at 28. Now, the Leicester City legend has acclimatised his entire attacking profile at the age of 32, with the success rate his short-lived professional career has always achieved. For me, that’s why he deserves the award and why it’s arguably the perfect time for him to be honoured with it.