FWA to consider English players abroad in Footballer of the Year Awards – report

The Football Writers’ Association (FWA) is contemplating a significant shift in its long-standing tradition. The new consideration involves shifting the Footballer of the Year awards from players plying their trade within English clubs only, according to The Times.

Jude and Kane, the catalysts

The recent exploits of English talents Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane in foreign leagues have sparked discussions within the association. This has raised the possibility of including English players competing overseas in the award’s eligibility criteria.

Traditionally, the FWA’s voting members, who determine the recipient of the prestigious award, have focused on players from English clubs, regardless of their nationality. However, with the remarkable performances of Bellingham at Real Madrid and Kane at Bayern Munich, the association is reconsidering its rules to reflect the evolving landscape of English talent on the global stage.

The FWA’s national committee is scheduled to convene on Tuesday to deliberate on this potential shift. Paul McCarthy, the chief executive of the FWA, acknowledged the growing significance of English players abroad and confirmed that the committee would discuss the matter. McCarthy stated, “Given the focus on the success of Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane in Spain and Germany, it is definitely a topic that the national committee will be discussing at its next meeting on Tuesday.”

PL running out of ace

The absence of a clear front-runner among Premier League players for the award adds intrigue to the potential rule change. Should the FWA decide to open up the voting to English players competing in foreign leagues, it could set the stage for a compelling showdown between two standout performers.

Harry Kane, aged 30, has been in sensational form for Bayern Munich, showcasing his goal-scoring prowess. Despite finishing as the Premier League’s top scorer in three seasons, Kane has never clinched the Footballer of the Year award. On the other hand, 20-year-old Jude Bellingham has been rewriting records with his stellar performances at Real Madrid, adding an exciting dimension to the award race.

As the football world awaits the outcome of the FWA’s decision, the potential inclusion of English players abroad in the Footballer of the Year award could mark a progressive step in recognizing and celebrating the achievements of English talents on the international stage.

Bellingham however, is preparing for another outing with Real Madrid on Saturday night. The Spanish giants host Granada in their quest to maintain the lead in the league.

The Englishman suffered a minor mishap in training but is cleared to play on Saturday, confirmed by head coach Carlo Ancelotti.