The 21-year-old scored five goals in as many games -
including a double against Chelsea - to start 2015, earning him the
prize for January and a place in the national side
Tottenham striker Harry Kane has been named Premier League Player of the Month for January, while Southampton boss Ronald Koeman picks up the Manager of the Month award.
Kane scored five goals in as many matches for Spurs in the first month of 2015, including a double in a 5-3 win over Premier League leaders Chelsea at White Hart Lane on New Years' Day.
The 21-year-old's form has been rewarded by England boss Roy Hodgson, who has now confirmed that he intends to pick Kane for his 23-man selection ahead of the Euro 2016 qualifier against Lithuania and the subsequent friendly with Italy.
"Is he worth a place in the squad? Of course he is," he told reporters. "He certainly deserves a place in the squad as much as, say, Saido [Berahino] did in the last squad.
"I like to think I do show a certain degree of loyalty to players who have been playing for a while and who I know I can trust. But I also like to think that I'm prepared to give someone a chance when he's really showing with his current form he's worthy of a place.
"Harry has all the qualities you want in a centre-forward."
Koeman, meanwhile, led Southampton to victory in all three of their Premier League games in January, masterminding wins over Arsenal and Manchester United in the process to keep his side fourth in the table.
"It's a great feeling and it's a big compliment to the whole team," Koeman told Southampton's official website on receiving his award. "We are working hard.
"The win against Arsenal gave the players confidence. It was then an unbelievable feeling to win at Old Trafford. Then to keep the spirit to win against Newcastle as well was great. It was a tough week but the players were fantastic."
No comments:
Post a Comment