Bruno Fernandes narrowly won the FWA Footballer of the Year award, surpassing Declan Rice by just 28 votes. Their bond strengthened during training sessions ahead of Rice’s record transfer to Arsenal in 2023.
Rice joined Arsenal for a record £105 million and has become essential to Mikel Arteta’s squad as they pursue their first league title since 2004. This season, Rice has emerged as one of the league’s top performers.
Fernandes, with eight goals and one assist shy of Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne’s record of 20 assists in a single Premier League season, claimed the FWA award. He received 45% of the votes from the FWA’s membership of over 900, edging out Rice.
“I admire him greatly,” Fernandes shared with JoelBeyaTV after receiving the award, reflecting on their training together in Portugal during the summer of 2023.
“I’ve known Declan since our time in the Algarve and recognized his qualities from his days at West Ham. I always believed he was suited for Manchester United, so I felt disappointed when he chose Arsenal.
“I wasn’t sure if a move to Manchester United was possible, but I saw him as a great fit for our club—not just for his skills but for his character and professionalism. His performance this season has been impressive.”
Fernandes’ award ignited discussions among fans regarding the merits of his win compared to Rice’s. He commented, “Their roles differ significantly, and their playing styles are unique. Rice’s responsibilities don’t focus as much on assists or goals, which reflects Arsenal’s approach compared to ours.
“We shouldn’t compare players directly, but it’s clear that Rice has been outstanding this season. While I’m thrilled about my win, Declan would have equally deserved it. The decision often hinges on statistics.
“I believe I had a strong season, but it’s tougher for Declan to accrue similar numbers due to his deeper role. Nonetheless, he is an exceptional player. If he had won, I would have congratulated him, just as I did when he reached the Champions League final.”
