On Sunday night, Raheem Sterling was named 2019 PFA Young Player of the Year in the latter stages of what is his seventh season as a professional footballer.
The Man City forward has been in rare form, scoring 17 goals and laying on 10 assists in the space of 32 Premier League appearances thus far…
The #PFA Young Player of the Year 2019… @sterling7 🏆👏⚽️@mancity @england @premierleague #mcfc #england pic.twitter.com/wLtQQwQGQ0
— PFA | Professional Footballers’ Association (@PFA) 28 April 2019
Already a seasoned pro at the age of 24 (he made his league debut in 2012), it’s perhaps a little tenuous, but Sterling was 23 when the 2018/19 campaign began and is therefore his ‘Young Player’ status is entirely eligible.
The award age really should be brought down to 21 for it to have any real gravitas, but that’s the PFA’s call.
After having his relatively advanced years queried by several fans on social media, Sterling made a point of thanking a “good skincare regime” for his youthful demeanour.
For the record, Big Virge van Dijk of Liverpool took the top honours, striding to the 2019 PFA Player of the Year award like it were an over-hit through-ball in need of clearing…
The #PFA Players’ Player of the Year 2019 @LFC and @OnsOranje defender @VirgilvDijk 🏆👏⚽️ #PFAawards #POTY pic.twitter.com/BLq2TFt2vR
— PFA | Professional Footballers’ Association (@PFA) 28 April 2019
Elsewhere, fellow Dutchperson Vivianne Miedema of title-winners Arsenal was crowned PFA Women’s Player of the Year, while 20-year-old Georgia Stanway of Man City landed the young player award.