Idrissa Gana Gueye was named both Everton Men's Player of the Season and Players' Player of the Season at the season awards following an outstanding 2024/25 campaign, where he consistently delivered dominant performances in midfield.
The Senegalese star has evolved into a true ball-winning demon at the heart of Everton's midfield, leading the Premier League in successful tackles with 133. He also boosted his tackling success rate to an impressive 59%, underscoring his defensive prowess and relentless work ethic.
On accepting the award, he addressed his team and the club’s media, saying: “Thank you very much to the supporters and my teammates. I'm very proud to be part of this team, and hopefully this team will get what it deserves moving forward – playing for the top five, playing in Europe, and winning trophies.”
The player, who is out of contract this summer and yet to agree to an extension, won 33% of Evertonian voters for the supporters' award, with Iliman Ndiaye finishing runner-up and Jordan Pickford finishing third for his performances and crucial clean sheets.
These awards could play a key role in convincing Gueye to sign a contract extension, following recent rumours linking him with a move back to Paris — this time with Paris FC. Encouragingly for Everton fans, the latest reports suggest he is now close to agreeing a new deal at the club.
The other awards
There were additional awards handed out to players with the Young Players of the Season, Goal of the Season, and the U21 Player of the Season, while the women's team also had their Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season awards.
For his performances at centre back, Jarrad Branthwaite was also recognised by supporters by winning the Club's Young Player of the Season prize. He has been commanding in defence and has been a major factor in contributing to the clean sheet record this term, potentially earning an England call-up in the near future.
As Leighton Baines stepped up to present the award, there was little surprise over the winner, chosen for the sheer emotion it evoked and the drama it delivered. James Tarkowski’s late volley in Goodison Park’s final-ever Premier League Merseyside derby earned him the Goal of the Season award, claiming a commanding 87% of the fan vote. The strike secured a crucial point against city rivals, making it a truly unforgettable moment.
In the Everton Women’s team, Sara Holmgaard was named Player of the Season by her teammates, while Head Coach Brian Sorensen selected Martina Fernández as Young Player of the Season.
The Danish midfielder contributed three goals and four assists in the Women's Super League, showcasing her influence in midfield. Meanwhile, Fernández, on loan from Barcelona Femení, made a strong impression across 14 appearances with her composed and assured performances in defence.
All in all, it’s been a season of grit, growth, and some glorious goals for both Everton’s men’s and women’s teams. These awards not only celebrate individual brilliance but also highlight the spirit and promise running through the club.
Whether it’s Gana Gueye chasing down attackers like they stole his lunch, Branthwaite building a brick wall at the back, or Tarkowski's sweet right foot to share bragging rights, there’s plenty for fans to feel optimistic about.
The focus now shifts to the rebuild, and what better place to start than by securing our Player of the Season for another year, giving him the platform to build on the form that earned him two major club awards.