Sport

Eight Manchester players named on 2023 Ballon d’Or shortlist

Like most of the 2022/23 season, it was all about City.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 7th September 2023

Eight different Manchester players have been named on the 2023 Ballon d’Or shortlist, with Manchester City claiming the most nominations this year.

The 30-strong list of potential Ballon d’Or winners was released on Wednesday, 6 September and following their incredible treble-winning season, it’s no surprise that there were a fair few Man City stars named among the candidates.

Boasting seven out of the 30 names — four more than next best club, Real Madrid, who earned three thanks to new signing Jude Bellingham — City saw main marksman Erling Haaland recognised for the goalscoring robot that he is, as well as three midfidlers, two defenders and another forward.

Haaland, strike partner Julian Alvarez and Kevin de Bruyne; Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias and new boy Josko Gvardiol were all nominated, as well as three women’s players: Yui Hasegawa, Jill Roord and Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw.

Pep Guardiola’s side cleaned up when it came to nominations.

As for down the road at Old Trafford, the majority of Manchester United squad have been snubbed at this year’s Ballon d’Or awards, with only new goalkeeper André Onana included on the shortlist for his efforts with Inter Milan last season, where he won the 2022/23 Coppa Italia.

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Things were a little better when it came to the Man United women’s team though, as both England keeper Mary Earps and newly signed, not to mention World Cup golden boot-winner, Hinata Miyazawa, were named on the shortlist for this year’s Ballon d’Or Feminin.

In fact, a number of Lionesses were littered throughout this years nominations, with Earps being joined by the likes of Rachel Daly, Georgia Stanway and captain Millie Bright following their respective domestic seasons and incredible Women’s World Cup campaign.

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You can see the 2023 Ballon d’Or shortlist in full down below.

Anyone else you think they missed?

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Other notable exclusions included Cristiano Ronaldo, who was left out for the first time in two decades, Liverpool no.1 Allisson, City keeper Ederson, Declan Rice and several other big Premier League names.

This year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony will be taking place at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on October 30.

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Last year’s Yashin Trophy (the men’s award) went to European veteran Karim Benzema while the women’s Ballon d’Or went to Barcelona’s Alexia Putellas for the second year running.

We have a feeling that big bloke with the long blonde hair already has his name on one of those trophies…

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Featured Image — Erling Haaland/Lionel Messi/André Onana/Man City (via Instagram)

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Erik ten Hag opens up on Man United’s failed Harry Kane and Frenkie de Jong transfers

Danny Jones Danny Jones Erik ten Hag on failed Harry Kane and Frenkie de Jong transfers

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has shed more light on his club’s failure to sign two key transfer targets in previous transfer windows, Harry Kane and Frenkie de Jong.

With Man United‘s interest in the proven Premier League star and England captain along with the former Ajax star turned Barcelona midfielder having been widely publicised last year, it was no secret that they were top of the wish list at Old Trafford but nothing concrete ever came of it.

Now, addressing the Kane and de Jong transfers directly for the first time, ten Hag not only admitted that he wanted to sign them but that he wasn’t given the full backing of the board to do so, suggesting that his squad therefore missed out two key talents that he hoped to build the playing style around.

Speaking to club legend Gary Neville in a Sky Sports exclusive, the 54-year-old was careful not to outwardly criticise the previous executives – the majority of whom have now departed – but confessed that they weren’t able to get either deal across the line.

As you can see, ten Hag revealed that he quickly identified Kane as the ‘proven’ striker who could have brought “30 goals” to the team but that they simply couldn’t get him, presumably down to the potential transfer fee and wage expectations.

The 30-year-old striker obviously went on to sign for German giants Bayern Munich and has now broken the record for the most goals in a debut Bundesliga season, not mention being on the verge of surpassing the highest-ever tally in a single campaign, held by Robert Lewandowski (41).

He went on to express that he has every faith in the striker they did manage to sign, insisting that 21-year-old Rasmus Højlund “will get there [to that level] but needs time” and was offered some of “the biggest potential” on the market when they snapped him up.

As for his fellow Dutchman, de Jong – who he previously coached as part of the hugely talented Ajax which impressed so many in 2018/19 – ten Hag hinted at the failure to sign him as being a key factor in why he couldn’t implement his tactics at United, telling Neville: “you have to bring in [the right] players”.

The three-time Eredivisie winner went on to explain, “You need the player with those typical assets and you can’t bring a player, say, here who has a [certain] style of play I don’t want to change his nature.”

With Neville naming de Jong specifically, ten Hag confirmed the name by adding that he envisioned a partnership between him and Casemiro or, indeed, Kobbie Mainoo eventually, adding: “They would have been really complimentary with each other, absolutely. That is the [type of player you need] if you want to play the Ajax style.

However, despite having reportedly agreed on a sizeable fee with Barcelona (the number of which has been much disputed), it came to be that de Jong seemingly didn’t want the move and preferred to stay with the Catalan club.

As a result, this meant that United had to continue experimenting with different midfield combinations and signing alternatives like Christian Eriksen and Mason Mount, who perhaps weren’t as high up on the list of transfer targets or as well suited to ten Hag’s desired approach on the pitch.

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ten Hag ultimately went on to add that a laundry list of injury problems this season has also derailed the progress of his squad as a unit, with the Red Devils having been forced to utilise 31 different back-four combinations so far.

There have been some rumblings that de Jong could be open to another potential move elsewhere again this summer, but it’s fair to say that even if they were in the running it will take more than one player to get his side back on track.

You can watch the interview with Gary Neville in full HERE.

It remains to be seen how well ten Hag will be backed by the new footballing administration this summer but it is said United are willing to consider serious offers for several members of their first-team squad as they look to raise funds for any prospective incomings.

Only three Manchester United players are said to be ‘off limits’ this summer transfer window

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Featured Images — Wikimedia Commons/Sky Sports (via YouTube)/Frenkie De Jong (via IG)

Sport

Man City stars Phil Foden and Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw win 2024 FWA Footballer of the Year awards

Danny Jones Danny Jones Phil Foden and Bunny Shaw voted Footballers of the Year 2024 by Football Writers Association

Manchester City stars Phil Foden and Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw have made it another double for the Blues after picking up the men’s and women’s awards for the 2024 Footballer of the Year from the Football Writers’ Association (FWA).

The Man City forwards have arguably been the players of the season for their respective teams this year, with Foden enjoying the best statistical campaign of his career so far and ‘Bunny’ Shaw becoming the club’s record goalscorer back in March, surpassing women’s legend and Lioness Georgia Stanway.

With nearly 60 goal contributions across all competitions between the two of them and both sides looking very likely to lift the Premier League and WSL titles this month, it’s been an impressive performance both individually and as a team.

We reckon these won’t be the only awards they end up with this year.

Both players have been a constant threat and focal point for their squads this season.

Pipping one of the best players in the league to the post this year in the shape of Chelsea and England star Lauren James, the 27-year-old Jamaican striker told the FWA and the club: “I am very proud and privileged to have received this award and to be recognised in this way is a special honour.

“I want to also thank all of my team-mates. They provide me with the chances to score goals and I could not have won this award without them. I also owe such a lot to Gareth [Taylor, head coach], the rest of the coaching team and everyone else here at City.

It’s a pleasure to be part of such a special group. Many thanks to all who voted for me and to my fellow nominees. It means such a lot to have won this award. Hopefully, the side can now finish off the season in style and give everyone a special cause to celebrate.” Shaw is now recovering from surgery on a broken foot sustained against West Ham.

This is actually the second time that the club have mopped up both the men’s and women’s FWA awards, with Raheem Sterling and Nikita Parris achieving the same feat back in 2019.

Manager Pep Guardiola has once again been full of praise for his in-form forward ahead of Saturday’s league fixture against Wolves.

Foden also picked up City’s Player of the Month nod for April.

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As for first-team talisman and England favourite himself, Foden added: “Being named the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year is a huge honour. I’m very, very happy to receive this award but I could not have done it without the help of my teammates.

“We have a very special squad of players at City, and I’m privileged to be a part of that group.” With two PFA Young Player of the Year awards to his name in 20/21 and 21/22 as well, the ‘Stockport Iniesta’ is no stranger to receiving this kind of recognition but this is undoubtedly his biggest nod yet.

The 23-year-old Foden won 42% of the members’ votes and is the fourth City player to pick up the award in four years, with Erling Haaland obviously storming the race last season. That being said, 2023/24 has well and truly been the year of Phil Foden.

Congratulations to both players on their very well-earned accolades and we’re keeping our eyes peeled on both of them ahead of a big summer for international football.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Bunny Shaw/Manchester City (via Instagram)

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