Garth Crooks remains in little doubt about who will be named Player of the Year come May.
The BBC pundit who, throughout his recent career, has selected five-man forward lines, credited David Luiz with a pass he didn’t make and bizarrely left Jamie Vardy out of his Team of the Season in 2016, is convinced that Sergio Aguero is nailed on for the award.
Aguero’s four goals in victory against Leicester on Saturday moved him to within two of the league’s top scorer, Harry Kane, and just one behind the in-form Mohamed Salah.
And while the Argentine will almost certainly be in the discussion for Player of the Year honours when Manchester City inevitably wrap up the league with several games to spare, it’s easy to see him being overlooked yet again.
“If this man does not win Footballer of the Year then there is something very wrong with the way we reward our best players,” Crooks wrote in his BBC Team of the Week column.
“Granted we have De Bruyne to consider, and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, and of course Kane will feature in the final line-up. But none of the aforementioned have been as consistent over the past five years as Sergio Aguero.
“To think the Argentine’s exploits in the Premier League have never been officially recognised either by his fellow players or the football writers. Whenever there are debates about genuine world-class strikers in the Premier League, the one name that is undisputed is Aguero. And it’s about time the game acknowledged it.”
Aguero’s composure in front of goal since 2011 has played a huge role in gradually turning City into the most dominant force in England and while it does seem crazy that he’s yet to be rewarded with a Player of the Year prize, it remains altogether likely that a different player will pick up the award this season.
"If this man does not win Footballer of the Year then there is something very wrong."
Garth Crooks is impressed by Sergio Aguero, but who else made his team of the week?âž¡ https://t.co/DYeyiv8eah pic.twitter.com/f132TV7aVP
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 12, 2018
Kevin De Bruyne’s playmaking in City’s midfield and the ease with which Mo Salah took to life in the Premier League for Liverpool will likely nudge them ahead in terms of the favourites to claim the honour.
And fans didn’t hesitate to voice their disagreement with Crooks’ opinion.
You’ve got to be joking. @DeBruyneKev is head and shoulders above the rest
— Dave Delbecq (@Dave_delbecq) February 12, 2018
It’s arguable that he’s not even Man City’s player of the year
— Shaun Layland (@laylander) February 12, 2018
de bruyne is the best player in city FFS
— doug price (@jab5555) February 12, 2018
Think KDB is nailed on for that
— michael carroll (@MichaelMjc40) February 12, 2018
Mo Salah deserves it
— kesnel_ (@Kesnel_rules) February 12, 2018
Lol absolutely not lol debruyne or Salah two horse race .
— Vinnie (@vroyh34) February 12, 2018
I would say if kevin de bruyne doesnt win it,then there is something very wrong.Only salah would come close in my humble opinion…
— Jay… (@jayalexrex1702) February 12, 2018
Player of the year is this man KDB
— alfinho (@alfred54821656) February 12, 2018
Calm yourself Garth as Kun Aguero very good stuff from him but he is behind the likes of KDB, Salah & Kane for that ‘Award’ Ok!!!
— Ukoko I (@ukokospeaks) February 12, 2018
How can you say that? De Bruyne is CRUCIAL to their success this season, esp with Silva dropping out
— SharpSalah?? (@SharpSalah) February 12, 2018
Eh? He hasn’t even been the best player in his own team let alone the player of the year. KDB has the Player of the Year on lock by a mile.
— S. (@thegeralt717) February 12, 2018
Harry Kane/ Mo Salah/ KDB and Raheem Sterling all having better season than Sergio.
— Marc (@wrightylfc1234) February 12, 2018
De Bruyne on another level at the moment….followed by salah n Kane
— kelvin hove (@tapiwa81) February 12, 2018
