Clinton Morrison's End of Season Awards
The 2025/26 Premier League season is done and dusted and what a season it's been. Arsenal won the title and reached a Champions League final. Crystal Palace became European champions. Sunderland went from the Championship to the Europa League in a single season. And Tottenham barely avoided the drop while West Ham didn't.
Clinton Morrison joined us for his definitive end of season verdict, grading every Premier League club, picking his players of the year and giving his verdict on where England can go at the World Cup.
Here's what Clinton had to say, and don't forget to check out the best World Cup Free Bets & Betting Offers, courtesy of Freebets.com
IN FULL: Clinton Morrison's End of Season Awards
IRAOLA TO LIVERPOOL, A NO BRAINER
I think it'd be a great appointment. I think he's the perfect fit for Liverpool. I know a lot of people are saying he's never managed a big club like Liverpool but he's managed in the Premier League and taken a club like Bournemouth, with a capacity of 13,000, to finish sixth. If you watch his Bournemouth teams, the way they press, the high intensity, the way they go after teams, he's going to have even better players at Liverpool. I think it's a great appointment.
On whether the football will be more entertaining than under Slot:
Definitely. Liverpool fans were screaming for Arne Slot to go ages ago. I just went, give him time, he won you the Premier League. But I just feel he was too reluctant to keep certain players on the pitch. Players like Curtis Jones and Nyoni, the fans wanted to see them on the pitch more. And you see the damaging statements that Salah made before he left. That's a big thing. People do listen when Mo Salah speaks.
ANTHONY GORDON TO BARCELONA, RASHFORD THE CHEAPER OPTION
I couldn't believe it. I understand it, you need to rotate those players and you pick up injuries. But Marcus Rashford's had a very good season and would probably have been a cheaper option. I prefer Marcus Rashford personally. When he's at the top of his level I don't think there are many that can match him. But it's a great move for Anthony Gordon. Ask any youngster growing up, Barcelona and Real Madrid are the two clubs you dream of playing for abroad. I do hope Rashford manages to get his move too though.
CLINTON'S PREMIER LEAGUE SEASON GRADES
| Club | Grade | Clinton's Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | A | Outstanding season. Would have been A plus if they'd won the Champions League but getting to a final and winning the Premier League under that pressure deserves an A. |
| Aston Villa | B+ | Not everyone predicted Champions League and not everyone expected them to win the Europa League. Outstanding manager. B plus. |
| Bournemouth | B+ | Should never have been in a position to qualify for the Champions League on the final day. What a fantastic achievement. Iraola has been magnificent. |
| Brentford | B | Andrews has done an outrageous job losing Thomas Frank and key players. A lot of people tipped them to go down. He definitely deserves a B. |
| Brighton | B | There were times Hürzeler looked like losing his job. They turned it around and finished in European places. Ridiculous recruitment. A B. |
| Burnley | E | Not good enough to compete in the Premier League. Disappointing throughout. E. |
| Chelsea | D | Should have finished in the Champions League. Lost two managers during the season. Nowhere near good enough for Chelsea. D. |
| Crystal Palace | B+ | To win a European trophy with a club like Palace given their financial limitations is outstanding. Huge credit to Oliver Glasner. B plus. |
| Everton | C | Dark horses who signed well. Missed too many big chances early on. Dewsbury Hall was a brilliant signing. C. |
| Fulham | C | That's kind of always where Fulham finish. Not enough to challenge for Europe by the end. C. |
| Leeds United | B | Everyone tipped Leeds to go down. Calvert Lewin was vital, Ampadu been brilliant, Okafor outstanding. B. |
| Liverpool | C - | The only reason they get a C- is Champions League football. Nowhere near good enough. Would have been a D without it. |
| Man City | B+ | You've won two trophies, more than anyone else this season. There was always going to be a transition. B plus. |
| Man United | B | Huge credit to Carrick. Played players in their proper positions, got Bruno in the 10, Mainoo back in. Fans feel like they've got their club back. B. |
| Newcastle | D | Dropping from Champions League to 12th. The players they brought in haven't been good enough. D. |
| Nottingham Forest | C- | Brilliant what Pereira did but you can't ignore four managers and a chaotic start to the season. A C minus. |
| Sunderland | B+ | Bought players who've been ridiculously good. Xhaka one of the signings of the season. Getting into Europe is just ridiculous. B plus. |
| Tottenham | D, | D minus. Could have been an E. Nowhere near good enough. Only avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth. D minus. |
| West Ham | E | When a team gets relegated what can you say? Not good enough. Nowhere near good enough. E. |
| Wolves | F | Finished bottom of the Premier League. What else can I give you? An F. |
THE END OF SEASON AWARDS
Player of the Season: Declan Rice and Bruno Fernandes (joint)
I cannot split them. I know Gabriel was brilliant and Raya was brilliant but Declan Rice pushed Arsenal over the line. When they lost to City he said it's not over. That's leading material. And Bruno breaking the assist record this season, he's the best number 10 in the Premier League. So I go Declan Rice and Bruno Fernandes.
Young Player of the Season: Nico O'Reilly (with special mention to Eli Junior Kroupi)
You can't look past Nico O'Reilly for the season he's had. The goals he's scored from midfield, playing at left back, he's been outstanding. I think he'll be Tuchel's first choice at the World Cup. But special mention to Eli Junior Kroupi who needs to be in the reckoning too.
Manager of the Season: Mikel Arteta (with special mentions to Iraola, Keith Andrews, Régis Le Bris and Daniel Farke)
Those four have been magnificent. In particular Le Bris because he's got Sunderland into Europe next season. That's just ridiculous when you look at it. But you can't look past winning the Premier League. Arteta wins it. If you take that aside, it's out of those four.
Best Goal of the Season: Szoboszlai free kick vs Arsenal (with special mention to Harry Wilson vs Crystal Palace)
Szoboszlai's free kick against Arsenal, what a strike. And Harry Wilson scored a hell of a goal against Crystal Palace, played a one two, flicked it around the corner, outside of the boot, into the top corner. Old school brilliance.
Favourite Game of the Season: Man City vs Arsenal, the Etihad
After all the criticism of Arsenal for being too defensive, they went for it. But the main reason I loved it was the battle between Haaland and Gabriel. The referee just let it go on. They were at each other and it was a brilliant battle. That's how it used to be when I was playing. Too many times now you get stopped. It was a throwback. Two top teams going at it.
ENGLAND AT THE WORLD CUP, SEMI FINAL OR FINAL
I think they've got a genuine chance of getting to the semi final or the final. I know people have been critical of the squad and there are three or four players I would have put in there ahead of others. But Tuchel is the manager and gets paid the big money to make those decisions. If he utilises the squad well they've got a good chance. And the reason they've got a good chance comes down to one man. If Harry Kane stays fit, England have a real chance. That's it. Semi final or final.
I can't look past France at the minute because of their attacking options. Their front three or four is proper scary. And you can't look past the South American teams, Brazil have got a good squad. But England can get there.
On the heat and humidity:
It plays a huge role. When we were in Japan it was ridiculously humid. The air itself was a struggle. You know what you want to do but your legs and body can't take you there because you're fatigued. Every team is in the same conditions though. You can't make excuses about the heat. You've just got to get used to it and go and perform.
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