Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher's 2025/26 Premier League Awards: A Deep Dive into the Experts' Choices
The final Monday Night Football of the season saw Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher dish out their awards for the 2025/26 Premier League campaign. Their picks offer a fascinating insight into the state of the league and the players who stood out.
Team of the Season
Neville's XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, O'Reilly; Semenyo, Rice, Fernandes, Silva; Thiago, Haaland.
Carragher's XI: Raya; Nunes, Saliba, Gabriel, O'Reilly; Rice, Silva; Semenyo, Fernandes, Doku; Haaland.
Neville's choice of Timber as the best right-back in the league is a bold one, given his recent injuries. Carragher, meanwhile, opts for Nunes, a midfielder turned full-back, for his consistency and defensive prowess.
Player of the Season
Neville: Bruno Fernandes.
Carragher: Declan Rice.
Neville's decision to award Fernandes the prize is a controversial one, given Rice's outstanding performances, including in the Champions League semi-finals. Carragher, however, believes Fernandes' creativity is invaluable.
Young Player of the Year
Neville: Nico O'Reilly.
Carragher: Nico O'Reilly.
Both pundits are impressed by O'Reilly's talent, with Neville comparing him to Gareth Bale and Paolo Maldini. Carragher highlights his versatility and impact on the team.
Signing of the Season
Neville: Granit Xhaka at Sunderland.
Carragher: Rayan Cherki.
Neville praises Xhaka's influence on Sunderland, while Carragher highlights Cherki's two-footedness and maverick style.
Most Improved Player
Neville: Matheus Nunes.
Carragher: Jeremy Doku.
Neville's choice of Nunes is a surprise, given his initial struggles as a midfielder. Carragher, however, believes Doku's one-on-one skills and end product have improved significantly.
Manager of the Year
Neville: Mikel Arteta.
Carragher: Mikel Arteta.
Both pundits agree on Arteta's outstanding management, with Neville highlighting his role in keeping Leeds up and Carragher praising his impact at Arsenal.
Coaching Performance
Neville: Andoni Iraola.
Carragher: Unai Emery.
Neville criticizes Iraola's defensive lapses, while Carragher praises Emery's ability to keep Aston Villa in the title race despite a difficult transfer window.
Overperformers and Underachievers
Neville: Brentford and Tottenham.
Carragher: Brentford and Liverpool.
Neville and Carragher both highlight Brentford's sensational season, while Tottenham and Liverpool are labeled as underachievers.
Goal of the Season
Neville: Dominik Szoboszlai's free-kick against Arsenal.
Carragher: Harry Wilson's goal against Crystal Palace.
Both pundits have their own favorites, with Szoboszlai's strike and Wilson's wonderful finish standing out.
Favorite Game
Neville: Manchester United 2-0 Manchester City.
Carragher: Arsenal 2-3 Manchester United.
Neville praises United's performance, while Carragher highlights the drama of Arsenal's defeat.
In conclusion, the awards offer a fascinating insight into the pundits' perspectives and the state of the Premier League. Their choices reveal a league full of talent, drama, and unexpected twists.
