THE LEADING CANDIDATES FOR PFA PLAYER OF THE YEAR

In most Premier League seasons, the PFA Player of the Year award feels fairly clear-cut. Last season, for instance, it was inevitable that the gong would go to Erling Haaland. Sure, there were some grumblings that Marcus Rashford could have been in the reckoning, given his scintillating form after the Qatar World Cup, but Haaland was the consensus choice by a distance. This year, it’s not as obvious. Haaland hasn’t been just as imperious in front of goal – the Norwegian is clearly missing the assist machine Kevin De Bruyne – and the fact there is a three-way tussle for the league title means there is not going to be a focus on an individual team. Of course, there are some outstanding players this season, and the bookies have set up a betting market on the PFA Player of the Year award, which will be announced in April. But who is leading the race? Below, we look at the six most likely candidates: Rodri (Man City) Rodri is the bookies’ favourites, but as mentioned, it’s no sure thing. The Man City midfielder has arguably worked his way up to being Pep Guardiola’s first name on the team sheet. His defensive prowess and passing abilities are well-documented, but he has also popped up with several goals this season, including important ones. While he may not be the fashionable choice, he is one of those players who simply never gives a bad performance. Mo Salah (Liverpool) Mo Salah will be aiming to become the first player to land three PFA PotY awards, and it would arguably be well deserved. Haaland has overtaken Salah in terms of goals scored, but Salah’s overall play – he is also second in the Premier League assists charts – is perhaps a little better, and it’s certainly more vital to Liverpool. The Reds missed their Egyptian King over recent weeks due to injury, but he will return to reinvigorate their title charge. Declan Rice (Arsenal) No English player has won the PotY award since Wayne Rooney in the 2009-10 season. Like Rodri, Rice has been quietly brilliant and one of the main reasons that Arsenal’s title tilt looks like a serious one. You know what you get with the England midfielder, but will it be recognised by his peers? Erling Haaland (Man City) It’s our view that Haaland won’t get the gong this time around, even if the bookies have him as co-third favourite with Rice. It’s simply down to the fact that he has been less potent than the previous season, which was remarkable by any standard. That has not always been Haaland’s fault, but it’s made him stand out a little less this term. If he stays at Manchester City, he will have other chances to add to his win last season. Phil Foden (Man City) There are signs that Foden is now taking the steps to be consistently world-class. He has 16 goals (all competitions) already this season, and it seems that Pep Guardiola feels Foden can now get as much game time as he wants. He has an outside chance for the PFA PotY award. He already has two Young Player of the Year awards. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) Saka is the most interesting choice on this list, and it is possible that he surprises the pundits by taking the award. He has terrorised defences all season, and many of his peers have spoken about their admiration for the Gunners’ winger. Saka is still eligible for the Young Player award, so that may count against him in split voting, but he may just pull out a shock.