It's that time of the year when fans everywhere debate who has been the best player in their respective leagues. The EFL had their awards last night and people were shocked to see Ireland international Sammie Szmodics get snubbed for Championship Player of the Season.
The forward, who made his international debut last month, is the top scorer in the Championship this season with 24 goals for Blackburn Rovers and has been pivotal for their survival chances this season. He's also top scorer in the FA Cup this season and the first Blackburn Rovers player to score 30 goals in all competitions since Alan Shearer.
Rovers currently sit in 17th and five points above the relegation zone with three games to go, largely thanks to the contributions of Szmodics. He's been instrumental in everything positive for Rovers this season and it's fair to say that without him, Blackburn could easily have been relegated this season.
That's why it was a surprise to some when at the EFL end of season awards last night when Leeds United winger Crysencio Summerville was named player of the season. Summerville has had a great season in his own right for Leeds, recording 17 goals and eight assists as Leeds are fighting for promotion back to the Premier League.
However, with Szmodics contributing to just under half of Blackburn Rovers' goals people have said that the 28-year old was more vital to his team than Summerville.
Reaction To Sammie Szmodics POTY Snub
The reaction online has been fairly vocal saying that Szmodics deserved Player of the Year. Many came to the defence of the Irish International including former Republic of Ireland U21 International and Watferford striker Pádraig Amond.
Sammie Szmodics has been robbed https://t.co/cnNoeeE8He
— Pádraig Amond (@padraigamond21) April 14, 2024
@metpoliceuk id like to report a robbery please https://t.co/W4ueTncSjk
— Jordan Bagley (@JordanBagley) April 14, 2024
Sammie Szmodics completely and utterley Robbed by the EFL. Sorry but that shows favouritism towards a big team. Summerville has been nowhere near Szmodics this season. Yet big club players get the rewards for doing less.
— George Nelson (@GeeNelsss) April 15, 2024
I'll leave this just here ! 50% more goals yet Sammie Szmodics gets overlooked by Summerville ! Just like your Championship referees, this is incompetence !#Rovers #lufc pic.twitter.com/wTOpb4CqsA
— Mo Jaffer💙 (@MoJaffer1) April 15, 2024
It wasn't all bad for Szmodics as he was still awarded a spot on the Championship team of the year. Ipswich's Keiran McKenna won manager of the year while there was still Irish representation in the League One Team of the Season with Eiran Cashin getting a spot.
With a Premier League move possibly on the horizon, let's hope that Szmodics can make the next step to the top level.
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