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Who Has the Most England Player of the Year Awards?
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Who Has the Most England Player of the Year Awards?

09/10/24 16:04

Cole Palmer was today awarded his first, and unlikely last, England men’s player of the year award.

So while the topic is still relevant, I’d like to take a look at the five players who have won the prestigious award on more than one occasion.

All of these players bar one are tied, winning two apiece of the award, but the four-time winner at number one is certainly deserving of the recognition.

Bukayo Saka - 2

A Hale End product, Bukayo Saka is just getting started in football. Despite already being a regular for England and Arsenal, I still think Saka’s ceiling is yet to be found.

The talented winner has been vital for England, being awarded player of the year in both 2022 and 2023 for his contribution, and he certainly could’ve been given the award this year too. Saka instead finished third in the rankings, behind Palmer and Jude Bellingham.

His tendency to cut in on his left foot and crack a shot into the far corner saw England bypass Switzerland in the quarter-finals of this year's Euro’s, and we’ll see it happen numerous more times over the next decade.

Harry Kane - 2

Harry Kane has undoubtedly been England’s best servant over the last nine years. He made his 100th England appearance against Finland last month, and has certainly earned his two awards in his century of appearances.

Since his debut, Kane has subsequently become captain of his nation along with securing his title of top-scorer for the Three Lions. He won the prestigious awards in 2017 and 2018 respectively.

Kane isn’t done yet, and he’ll be looking to lead England to international glory at the next World Cup, and add another player of the year award to his collection.

Steven Gerrard - 2

Former Liverpool captain and Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard has also picked up England’s player of the year award twice.

After making his debut the day after his 20th birthday, Gerrard went on to have an illustrious career for the Three Lions. Over 14 years, he made 114 appearances for England, and picked up 21 goals in the process.

Gerrard picked up the award in 2007 and 2012, with the second coming after he captained England at Euro 2012.

Frank Lampard - 2

Next up, the man who was so often compared with Steven Gerard, Chelsea legend Frank Lampard.

He made his debut against Belgium back in 1999, whilst he was still at West Ham United, and his final appearance of his 15 year international career came in 2014. In that time, Lampard amassed over 100 caps, scoring 29 goals.

Lampard captained England during the twilight years of his career, but it was in 2004 and 2005 that he picked up England’s player of the year award.

Wayne Rooney - 4

No surprises, Wayne Rooney has obviously collected the most England player of the year awards ever.

Making his debut at 17, Rooney was briefly the youngest player to ever represent the Three Lions, but that’s not what’s important. He played for England until 2018, captaining the side on numerous occasions.

For a long while he also held the title of England’s record goal scorer, scoring 53 goals in his 120 appearances, before Harry Kane overtook him.

Rooney differs from Kane, given he played through more than one generation of English football, coming through the ‘golden generation’ but also staying on and leading a short down spell for the Three Lions.

The current Plymouth Argyle manager won the award in 2008, 2009, 2014 and 2015; making him the most decorated player of all time in this category.

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