Rio Ferdinand Snubs Haaland As He Names Who He Would Crown Player Of The Year

Rio Ferdinand Snubs Haaland As He Names Who He Would Crown Player Of The Year

BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand believes Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is more deserving of the PFA Player of the Year than Manchester City’s Erling Haaland “right now”.

While Haaland has bagged an astonishing 21 goals in 17 league games, Ferdinand feels that Odegaard could pip his fellow countryman to the individual prize if he helps guide the Gunners to the Premier League title:

“I’d go as far as to say right now, he [Odegaard]’s probably my player of the year. Haaland has done what he’s done, he has been great, don’t get me wrong. If Haaland eases up with the goals and Arsenal win the league and Odegaard continues, he’s my player of the year.”


Odegaard has undoubtedly been excellent for Arsenal so far this season but the Player of the Year is not about how a player contributes to a team’s success.

It is focused on individual performances and, in that regard, Haaland is in a league of his own. The Norwegian may have not scored in his last two matches but the fact that it is his longest barren spell in front of goal this season is quite incredible.

For Haaland to lose out on the Player of the Year, there will have to be a substantial drop in form for the 22-year-old in the coming months.