The most prestigious individual awards of the English season have found their owners. According to the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), Mohamed Salah was recognised as the Premier League’s best player, while in the Championship the top prize went to “Burnley” goalkeeper James Trafford. A vote by peers is always a compliment to one’s influence on the game: players know better than anyone whose contribution proved decisive over the campaign.
Salah: Prolific Output and Leadership on the Right Flank
The Egyptian delivered a model 2024/25 season: 38 Premier League matches, 29 goals and 18 assists. For the “Liverpool” winger these are more than impressive numbers — they are a marker of versatility. Salah consistently created danger from the right half-space, cut inside to shoot, and just as willingly split defences with passes in behind the back line. In the decisive stretches he took responsibility, led the press and set the tempo of attacks, all while maintaining an elite conversion rate.
A Historic Milestone: The First Three-Time PFA Winner
This triumph makes Salah the first player to win the PFA Player of the Year award three times. The benchmark highlights not only his consistency but also his ability to adapt to different game plans and the teammates around him. When it comes to “value to the team”, Salah combines goal power with football intelligence — the very qualities that define the Premier League elite.
James Trafford: 29 “Clean Sheets” and Reliability as a Style
The other major award winner — James Trafford. The “Burnley” goalkeeper played 45 league matches and kept 29 of them “to nil” — a statistic that speaks for itself. Trafford controlled possession with assurance, was decisive coming off his line and narrowed angles in key moments. His role in organising the defence and in the first pass was no less important than the saves. In the summer the keeper returned to “Manchester City”, and the logic of this award is obvious: he is ready for the next step and has deservedly earned recognition from the professional community.
