Belgium manager admit shock over Salah winning PFA player of the year award

Belgium manager Roberto Matinez think Mohamed Salah does not deserve the PFA player of the year award

The Belgium boss believe Kevin De Bruyne performances over the last 16 months  have been consistently very impressive.

However Salah who has been stunning  at Liverpool since his debut, scoring 31 goals in the Premier League and 41 in all competitions pipped De Bruyne to the end-of-the-season award on Sunday night.

De Bruyne has been influential in Manchester City Premier League success under PeP Guardiola this season.

And Martinez, who manages De Bruyne at international level, admits he was shocked he did not win the award.

“I was very surprised, I must admit,” Martinez told talkSPORT.

“Obviously Salah has done very well in what could be a record-breaking season, but I think what Kevin De Bruyne has achieved is more the effect he has on the players around him.

“His performances over the last 16 months, not just in the last season, have been consistently very impressive.

“I don’t think you’ll find another midfielder in European football with the impact he has had on a team.

“In football we all know individual awards exist, but I think they should be as a consequence of what they achieve with the team or how they have helped the team to achieve things.

“Football is a team sport, and when you see what Manchester City have done this season in the Premier League, I think Kevin De Bruyne should have won the trophy last night.”