(Tottenham Hotspur’s Jurgen Klinsmann shows off the Footballer of the Year trophy – PA Archive/)

Klinsmann’s move to Tottenham Hotspur came somewhat out of the blue and was a remarkable coup for Spurs to sign a player who had just scored five goals at the 1994 World Cup.

The German settled into life in the Premier League quickly and instantly became a fan’s favourite after scoring on his debut and celebrating in what became his trademark ‘diving’ style.

Klinsmann netted 30 goals in all competitions in his only full-season with the club, forming a formidable strike partnership with Teddy Sheringham.

Klinsmann scored in his first seven successive appearances for Tottenham and added many more across the season, including some fabulous goals.

It was this goal scoring ability, combined with the link up play with Sheringham that saw the striker elected Footballer of the Year for 1995. Later that year he was to come second in the voting for Ballon d’Or winner, missing out to AC Milan’s George Weah.

(Germany’s Jurgen Klinsmann celebrates scoring in the 1994 World Cup – Tony Marshall/EMPICS Sport)

After only one season in England Klinsmann moved back to Germany to play for Bayern Munich. He went on to win the Bundesliga title and the UEFA Cup with Bayern, scoring an impressive 15 goals in just 12 matches in the European competition.

(Tottenham Hotspur’s Jurgen Klinsmann (R) and Teddy Sheringham (L) celebrate – Ross Kinnaird/EMPICS Sport)

In late 1997 Klinsmann returned to Spurs for the final months of his playing career. Tottenham were involved in a relegation battle and the German’s nine goals in 15 games made all the difference in their fight for survival. None more so than the four he notched against Wimbledon in the penultimate game of the season to ensure the club’s survival in the Premier League.

(Jurgen Klinsmann celebrates his first of four goals for Tottenham Hotspur against Wimbledon in 1998 – TOM HEVEZI/PA Archive)

Klinsmann had an exceptional international career scoring 47 goals in 108 caps for West Germany and Germany. This made him both the second highest scorer and second most capped player at the time of his retirement.

His three goals in the 1990 World Cup for West Germany helped them lift the trophy for the third time.

(Jurgen Klinsmann in action for Tottenham Hotspur in the 1997-98 Premiership against Coventry City – Sean Dempsey/PA Archive)

What Jurgen said:

“It was my 28 goals during the season that helped me clinch the Footballer of the Year award and I was thrilled to become the second German after Bert Trautmann to be honoured with the selection. Bert made a special trip to see me collect the award, and we had a long talk about the way the game has changed.

“When I accepted the trophy, I had mixed feelings because I knew that I would be shortly leaving a club that will always have a special place in my affections. I made a point of thanking Teddy Sheringham for his contribution. He and I had a great understanding, as the 38 goals we scored between us in the Premiership proves.

“It was an extremely satisfying way to end my stay in England that I will always look back on with pride… and fond memories.”

What the writers said:

(Arsenal striker Thierry Henry with the Football Writers’ Association award. Steve Parsons/PA Archive)

Henry was not only the first man to win back to back Footballer of the Year awards, he went on to win it an unprecedented three times.

At international and club level Henry won the lot. A World and European Champion with France by the age of 22, Henry added two Premier League titles and two FA Cups to his name at Arsenal, before transferring to Barcelona in order to fulfil his ambition of a Champions League title, something he achieved in 2009.

(Thierry Henry celebrates scoring for Arsenal against Leeds in 2012 – Tony Marshall/EMPICS Sport)

By the time of his retirement Henry was the all time top scorer for both France and Arsenal, with 51 and 228 goals respectively.

Henry won the Premier League golden boot a record four times during his career, with one of those coming in 2003-04, the first unbeaten league season since Preston North End in 1888-89.

(Thierry Henry celebrates a UEFA Champions League goal in 2000 – Craig Prentis/EMPICS Sport)

In Henry’s three FWA winning seasons he scored or assisted an astonishing 158 goals in 151 appearances. Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said of Henry:

“During his career with Arsenal, Thierry won the FWA Footballer of the Year three times, and each was justly deserved because during those seasons, there was no better player in the Premier League.

(Thierry Henry with Arsene Wenger in 1999 – Tony Harris/PA Archive)

(Thierry Henry lifting the UEFA Champions League trophy in 2009 – Mike Egerton/EMPICS Sport)

“Thierry was really special. During his best period with Arsenal, he could make the difference at any time, and score anywhere at any moment.

“When he really had decided ‘now I will do it’, he always did it. Nobody could stop him.”

A fitting tribute to a phenomenal player.

What Thierry said:

“As I always say in football it is all about the team and without my team-mates I would not have won this award. What I am especially proud of, though, is that I am the first person to win the Footballer of the Year trophy three times.

“It’s always pleasing to be the first to achieve something – it’s a little piece of history. I would like to thank all of the Football Writers’ Association members who voted for me. It’s a wonderful honour and I feel very privileged.”

What the writers said:

(Luis Suárez celebrates scoring for Liverpool against rivals Everton – Peter Byrne/PA Images)

English football has been graced by South American greats such as Ardiles, Villa, Agüero, Juninho, Tevez and Coutinho, yet only one has ever been named FWA Footballer of the Year: Luis Suárez.

Suárez has long been a controversial character with three bans for biting during his career alongside a suspension for racially abusing Patrice Evra, an accusation he denies.

(Luis Suárez celebrating a victory for Liverpool over Arsenal in 2011 – Nick Potts/PA Images)

There is an argument to be made that Suárez’s behaviour has not lived up to the standards Charles Buchan first set for the award to be presented “to the professional player who by precept and example is considered by a ballot of members to be the footballer of the year.”

However, his skill on a football pitch cannot be denied and it was this that was rewarded with the FWA Footballer of the Year award for 2014.

Suárez scored 31 goals in 33 league games finishing the season as the top scorer and became the first non-European winner of the FWA award. He was also voted by his fellow professionals the PFA Player of the Year.

(Luis Suárez celebrates during the 2013-14 season – Owen Humphreys/PA Images)

Despite his personal success Suárez was unable to lead Liverpool to a trophy that season as the Reds fell agonisingly short of a first League title in 24 years, finishing 2 points behind Manchester City.

Suárez’s career began in his native Uruguay making his first team debut for Nacional aged 18, after only one season the teenage Suárez was transferred to Gronigen in the Netherlands.

Suárez spent just one year at Gronigen before signing for Duth giants Ajax where he excelled over the following three and a half seasons winning the Eredivisie title and the KNVB Cup.

There had been disciplinary issues throughout Suárez’s career but Liverpool looked past these and in return they got the services of a phenomenal striker.

(Luis Suárez was in fine form throughout the 2013-14 season – Owen Humphreys/PA Images)

At the end of his first full season in England Suárez had helped Liverpool to the League Cup. It was the only trophy he won in England but that does not take away from the impact he had at the club.

Suárez was pipped to the 2013 FWA trophy by Gareth Bale but by 2014 he received over 50% of all votes as he scooped up the award.

This turned out to be one of his final acts in England as just a few weeks later Suárez moved to Barcelona for £65million, at the time the third highest transfer fee in football history.

A controversial character no doubt, but also a wonderfully gifted goalscorer.

(Luis Suárez celebrating a goal versus Crystal Palace in 2014 – Adam Davy/PAImages)

What Luis said:

“It is amazing for me and the club as well, for many years, there have been a lot of big players who have won this prize.

“Thank you so much to all the Football Writers who voted for me because they recognised my work on the pitch, and they know that I try my best to help Liverpool.

“I know that it was a difficult time for me one or two years ago, but I accept that criticism, but then if you concentrate and focus to help the team, everything can be perfect.

“I am an easy guy outside the pitch, and on the pitch I know I changed, but because I love the football, I have fought so hard to stay at this level.”

What the Writers said:

(Jordan Henderson with the 2020 Footballer of the Year trophy – Dave Thompson/PA Images)

Henderson joined his local club Sunderland aged eight and progressed through the youth ranks until he made his first team debut ten years later in 2008.

The 2009-10 season was Henderson’s breakout year, establishing himself in the heart of Sunderland’s midfield and receiving his first international call up for England. Henderson became a regular international squad player under Roy Hodgson and by the time of the 2014 World Cup was a nailed-on starter.

(Jordan Henderson celebrates scoring for Liverpool against Tottenham at White Hart Lane – Stephen Pond/PA Images)

After three seasons with Sunderland, Henderson was transferred to Liverpool with whom he won his first major honour in 2012, the League Cup. Despite featuring in the majority of Liverpool’s matches that season Henderson was told he was free to leave the club with Fulham keen to sign the player. He decided to stay at Anfield and fight for his place in the side, how grateful Liverpool must be for that now.

Henderson made a mockery of those at the club who wanted to sell him, becoming a key player in the side and the natural successor to legendary captain Steven Gerrard in 2015.

(Jordan Henderson wheels off in celebration in 2019 after giving Liverpool the lead against Spurs – Peter Byrne/PA Images)

Under Henderson’s leadership and Jürgen Klopp’s management the two have led Liverpool to European, World and domestic success. In a little over 12 months Liverpool have defeated Tottenham Hotspur in the 2019 Champions League final, gone on to win the UEFA Super Cup, the FIFA Club World Cup and ended the Reds 30 year wait for a League championship.

(Jordan Henderson celebrates with the trophy after winning the UEFA Champions League in 2019 – Martin Rickett/PA Images)

Henderson’s leadership has been vital throughout this success, joining fabled captains Hughes, Thompson, Souness and Gerrard as a club legend and European Cup winning skipper.

Henderson was the first Liverpool captain since Alan Hansen in 1990 to lift the League title and did so in extraordinary circumstances during the Coronavirus pandemic.

The pandemic also shined a light on another side of Henderson that previously the public had not seen, this was his charitable work.

Henderson was vital in rallying fellow club captains and establishing the #PlayersTogether collective that raised millions of pounds for the NHS and led the way in the Black Lives Matter campaign in football.

(Jordan Henderson lifts the 2019-20 Premier League trophy at Anfield – Phil Noble/PA Images)

The original voting criteria stated that the award would go “to the professional player who by precept and example is considered by a ballot of members to be the footballer of the year.“

Henderson most certainly lived up to this.

What Jordan said:

“I’d like to say how appreciative I am of the support of those who voted for me and the Football Writers’ Association in general. You only have to look at the past winners of it, a number of whom I’ve been blessed to play with here at Liverpool, like Stevie (Gerrard), Luis (Suárez) and Mo (Salah) to know how prestigious it is.

“But as grateful as I am I don’t feel like I can accept this on my own. I don’t feel like anything I’ve achieved this season or in fact during my whole career has been done on my own. I owe a lot to so many different people – but none more so than my current teammates – who have just been incredible and deserve this every bit as much as I do.”

What the writers said: