Kevin De Bruyne, Jorginho and N’Golo Kante are the three remaining candidates for the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year Award, the European Football Association announced on Thursday. The trio was active in the Champions League final, won by Chelsea. The winner of the election will be announced next Thursday in the draw for the group stage of the Champions League. Last year Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski won the trophy.
De Bruyne, Jorginho and Kante received the most votes from a jury consisting of 24 national coaches, 80 trainers from clubs from the Champions League and Europa League, and 55 journalists. De Bruyne became champion of England with Manchester City and dropped out in the lost final of the billion-dollar ball after a collision with Antonio Rüdiger. Jorginho and Kante pulled the longest end in the final battle with Chelsea. Jorginho later also became European champion with Italy.
UEFA also awards a prize to the best coach. Josep Guardiola (Manchester City), Roberto Mancini (Italy) and Thomas Tuchel (Chelsea) are the three contenders. Barcelona striker Lieke Martens competes with her Spanish teammates Jennifer Hermoso and Alexia Putellas for the title Women’s Player of the Year. Lluís Cortés (Barcelona), Peter Gerhardsson (Sweden) and Emma Hayes (Chelsea) have a chance to win the title of best trainer in women’s football.
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