Pep is coach of the year and Bellingham beats Harry Kane to best overseas star
Pep Guardiola was unanimously voted 'coach of the year', while Jude Bellingham won a tight race against his England team-mate Harry Kane for 'best overseas player' as Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards made their selections for 2023's best performers.
The trio decided on 11 awards from the past calendar year on the latest episode of The Rest is Football podcast.
Unsurprisingly, Manchester City players were discussed among the list finalists in many of the categories after their historic five-trophy year. But there was also recognition for Arsenal players following their dramatic improvement.
The Cityzens took home five gongs as Kyle Walker was named the year's best fullback, Rodri as best midfielder. Erling Haaland was chosen as best forward and best player and Guardiola took home the best coach prize.
John Stones, whose in-possession deployment into midfield proved key in City's success last season, lost out to William Saliba as the best central defender.
'He just very graceful,' Lineker said of the 22-year-old Gunner. 'Easy on the eye, he glides across the grass. He's really good with the ball and without it. He's the sort of central defender you wouldn't want to play against.'
The Frenchman also beat Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk in that category but the Reds did at last have one winner from their restorative 2023. Goalkeeper Alisson narrowly came out on top against his Brazil international colleague Ederson.
There was also recognition for Declan Rice, who was named the 'best English player in the Premier League' after leading West Ham to the Europa Conference League last term before starring for Mikel Arteta's title-chasing Gunners in this.
Arguably the most predictable prize was for 'goal of the year'.
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