Former Ireland international Kevin Kilbane analysed the Premier League season saying Jordan Henderson did not deserve the Player of the Year award ahead of Kevin De Bruyne.
Speaking on Off The Ball, the former Irish winger, praised Henderson as a leader that turned his career around to be the player that he is, but is not up there with the best in the league.
“Henderson has got a lot of criticism. I feel he’s got incredible character. There is no doubt in that. From his time at Sunderland I heard he had balls of steel.
“Fair play for him in turning around his career because six or seven years ago you would be saying he wouldn’t have been staying on being a Premier League winner and having the season that he had.
“However, I don’t put him in the same bracket with some of the other players in this league. He had a very good season, but I don’t see him influence a game the way De Bruyne influences a game.”
Kilbane said Henderson’s accolades have been overrated due to the fact he’s English and been built up by the English media.
A similar reference was made by Kilbane’s former teammate Roy Keane when he was talking about Lampard as a manager last January.
“I know it sounds bad but, he’s English. There is a huge drive in the English media to get the English players the accolades that they don’t deserve,” said Kilbane.
“I don’t think Jordan Henderson deserved the Player of the Year award. Kevin De Bruyne was simply better this season.”
In judging Kevin De Bruyne, Kilbane has said he is one of the best players to ever grace a Premier League pitch.
“I love watching him, he’s right up there with the very best in the Premier League. He probably doesn’t do things Keane could do or Viera could do in the past, but he’s right up there with the very best that I’ve ever seen.
“People judge the Player of the Year award on teams winning trophies but I would look a someone individually who I have seen week in and week out that can get a goal or an assist and I always see that when I’m watching Kevin De Bruyne.”
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