0:00 When it comes to the MVP award, the Premier League's player of the season, there is no contest. Zero. Please stop overthinking it, my friends. Muhammad Salah is your clear winner. 28 goals, 18 assists in a 38 game season. That's a record, and he only needs two more goal contributions to pass Andy Kohl's, and Alan Shear's record of 47. In fact, these numbers are almost double as many as the next player in line. The current gap is also a record. But to me, it's more than just numbers for Salah. This is about the Egyptian at 32 becoming an even better version of himself. His movement was more defined, his creativity more precise. In fact, no other player created more clear chances for his teammates than Muhammad Salah.
0:47 Here's the other thing to remember. He's a winger. A winger. And to score 28 goals and be this much of a threat at 32 in the best league in the world is amazing. I haven't even mentioned the fact that he had to do this in a season where he had to contemplate his future, dealing with the outside noise of whether he was staying or leaving and working with a new manager for Liverpool. All of that takes a toll, but Salah did it in stride. Now, I know that in the final stretch of the season, he's been quieter, but don't let recency bias hit you in the head. It is possible for Salah to remind us that he actually is a human being after all. But please, let's not be cute here. He led the way and helped Liverpool Football Club win the
1:32 Premier League title. He's the leader in goals and assists and and in my opinion, he will go down as one of the greatest players in the history of the Premier League. But for now, in this campaign, he absolutely proved my point. Well done, Muhammad Salah. You're my Premier League end of season MVP. Last season when I started these awards, it was important for me to think outside of the box and create original accolades that you don't normally see in the Premier League or European football. So, I decided it was important to have rookie of the season as it's a no-brainer to salute a young player fresh into the league who delivered a fantastic campaign. I think the criteria for rookie of the season in my awards uh is pretty simple. A player has to be 23 or
2:18 under and just completed his first season in the Premier League with at least 1,500 minutes in 2024 2025. This, my friends, was a no-brainer. So, this season I awarded to Dean Hen from Bournemouth. The 20-year-old center back has been monumental for Andoniola, helping the Cherries earn the most points in a single Premier League campaign. a time of writing for players who at least played a thousand minutes. He's second in clearances, third in interceptions, and fourth in headed clearances and long balls as well. What I love most about Hson, however, is his composure and ability to read danger. At such a young age, it's very impressive. My favorite quote is from the legend Pao Malini, who once said, "If I have to
3:05 make a tackle, I've already made a mistake." And that's the perfect exemplification of Dean Hson's game. His hero is Serio Ramos, and it makes perfect sense as he's also really, really good on one-on-one. So, no doubt the older he gets, the more experienced he gets, he'll be better. Speaking of Serio Ramos, it's no surprise to me then that's why he's joining Real Madrid. His attributes can help Los Blanos bounce back next season, and his chill guy persona will fit nicely. It's a shame we only saw house in one season in the Premier League, but in one campaign, Hson really left with a statement. Congrats Dean Hen. Enjoy La Liga. You are my rookie of the season for the Premier League in 2024 2025. Friends,
3:52 for my Premier League and the season awards, I decided to create a new one. The old dog new tricks award given to a player over 30 who had a tremendous campaign by overcoming all those pesky young know-it- alls and achieving greatness. This year, the winner goes to Chris Wood from Nottingham Forest, who was also a finalist for my MVP player of the season. At 33 years old, Wood has had a remarkable campaign. And in time of taping, he has 20 goals and three assists in the Premier League, helping Forest earn a fantastic campaign that has given them European football for the first time in 30 years. And as we head into the final match day of the season, they still have a glorious chance, a glorious, albeit small one, but a glorious chance of achieving Champions
4:38 League football. Wood has been outstanding. And in October, he became the first Forest and New Zealander to win Premier League player of the month. That set him off to continue on a great campaign of 20 goals. The club gave him a new contract in January until at least the end of 2026 2027. A reward that was fully deserved. I love Chris Wood because he represents the old school style of striker. He is the nononsense center forward. He's Jimmy Bradock from Cinderella Man. He's Ron Swanson from Parks and Wreck. He is the ultimate antidote to a Tik Tok generation obsessed with short-lived hype, and I hope he continues to deliver well into his 50s. The Old Dog New Trick Award
5:24 goes to Chris Wood from Nottingham Forest. [Music]
