Writers reveal votes as Raheem Sterling named FWA Footballer of the Year

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Planet Football
29th April 2019

Raheem Sterling has been named the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year, a day after Virgil van Dijk won the PFA award.

The Manchester City man has 29 goals in all competitions so far this season. He’s also has received plenty of extra praise for his community work and outspoken criticism of the tabloid media’s targetting of black footballers.

Despite losing out to Van Dijk in the award voted for by fellow Premier League players, Sterling, who had the consolation of being named PFA Young Player of the Year, emphatically claimed the FWA award with 62 per cent of the 400-plus votes.

Only eight players actually received a vote, while Sterling finished ahead of the runner-up Van Dijk by over 100. Sergio Aguero – who scored his 20th league goal of the season as City beat Burnley 1-0 – finished third.

Their City team-mates David Silva and Bernardo Silva were also voted for, as were Harry Kane, Eden Hazard and Alexandre Lacazette.

Last year’s winner, Mohamed Salah, didn’t receive a single vote, even though he currently tops the Premier League’s top scorers list with 21 goals.

The votes haven’t been made public, but some writers have revealed how they voted:

"I voted for Raheem Sterling…

…but if Burnley drew with City I would have voted for #LFC's Virgil Van Dijk!"@MartinLipton explains why he picked #ManCity's Sterling over Van Dijk for PFA Player of the Year.

Should Sterling beaten Van Dijk to the title? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/Ec0JSLv8xp

— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) April 29, 2019

I’ve voted for @sterling7 for the @theofficialfwa Footballer of the Year. And he’s waaaay too old for the PFA Young Player. Should be 21 limit in future… Van Dijk has had an amazing season but think Raheem Sterling has done way more than just be the best on the pitch.

— John Cross (@johncrossmirror) April 28, 2019

And now @sterling7 has won @theofficialfwa’s Footballer Of The Year Award. The one for grown ups. As a new member of the FWA I voted for Sterling. He’s had a truly outstanding season and has been a delight to watch. Well played 👏👏

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) April 29, 2019

.@theofficialFWA Footballer of the Year announced at 10am. Firmly expecting Raheem Sterling to win. I went for Van Dijk (nice to vote for a defender for once) but will be delighted for Sterling if he wins it. Excellent season on the pitch and a very powerful contribution off it

— Oliver Kay (@OliverKayTimes) April 29, 2019

Raheem Sterling is FWA Player of the Year. I voted for Virgil van Dijk but Sterling a worthy winner in very much a two-horse race https://t.co/Y5TOGISsUn

— Ed Malyon (@eaamalyon) April 29, 2019

MoS column later: Why I voted for Raheem Sterling for the FWA Footballer of the Year.

— Oliver Holt (@OllieHolt22) April 27, 2019

I voted for Aguero. #Clinical. https://t.co/Y5VpGoYQKU

— Rob Tanner (@RobTannerMerc) April 29, 2019

My vote went to @sterling7. At the @theofficialfwa, we need to ensure our award remains about conduct and communication as well as talent. Raheem Sterling has been a class act on and off the field. https://t.co/QBNkUkK6uq

— Ian Ridley (@IanRidley1) April 29, 2019

I'll be honest I voted for Van Dijk for the @theofficialfwa, but Sterling is still a very worthy winner. Close call between to class players both on and off the pitch https://t.co/QxZdLJKrIp

— Ash Rose (@AshroseUK) April 29, 2019

Why Virgil van Dijk got my vote for Footballer of the Year – and how he encapsulates the disparity between Liverpool and United https://t.co/D7VM77jrhF

— Matt Dickinson (@DickinsonTimes) April 25, 2019

Voted for Raheem Sterling to be the FWA Footballer of the Year. Bit on why here. https://t.co/GU5TQK6p8V

— Adam Bate (@ghostgoal) April 23, 2019

Was one of the 62% who voted for @sterling7 – has taken his game up a level this season for @ManCity and England Always shows hunger and desire Deserved winner https://t.co/g5MoXKXimk

— Steve Bates (@sbates_people) April 29, 2019

Voted for Sterling as Footballer of the Year, for his exploits on and off the pitch. A role model who has developed into one of the best players in Europe, the @theofficialfwa award is fully deserved #MCFC #Sterling https://t.co/rNmWNcp4Kx

— David McDonnell (@DiscoMirror) April 29, 2019

Voted for #Sterling. Thoroughly deserved for the huge contribution he's made to the game on and off the pitch. https://t.co/IzFgd9r2KT

— Simon Johnson (@sjstandardsport) April 29, 2019

Sterling got my vote for @theofficialfwa PoY. Winner announced 10am.

— Steve Wilson (@Wilsonfooty) April 29, 2019

Thoroughly deserved winner. Got my vote. Mind you, long time since we gave it to a defender … Steve Nicol in 1989 https://t.co/4HwNJ9NgYd

— Andy Dunn (@andydunnmirror) April 29, 2019

Congratulations to @sterling7 . After 20 years I’ve finally picked a winner in the vote for @theofficialfwa footballer of the year award

— Simon Mullock (@MullockSMirror) April 29, 2019