We are fast approaching the end of another memorable Premier League season, with plenty still undecided with just six games remaining. Domestically in the league, the destination of the title can only end up in Manchester or Liverpool, but will Pep Guardiola’s men retain the silverware or will Jurgen Klopp bring the trophy back to Merseyside?
The answer to this will surely not be known until after the final game of the season, with another nail-biting final day in store for fans. We also do not know who will secure the final two Champions League spots. Manchester United are reborn under quiet man Solskjaer’s leadership, and with a decent run in, could beat the odds and earn a top-four finish.
Who Is Leading The Race?
Leading the race for top four is Spurs, who will be delighted to have just moved into their new stadium and will hope that catalyst will be enough to see them through to the end of the season. The two unpredictable quantities are Arsenal and Chelsea. Both under new management this year and have had a mixed season with no real consistency. Arsenal under Unai Emery has been the slightly more reliable proposition and probably just favourites over Sarri’s men.
Towards the bottom, we do know that Huddersfield Town and Fulham are gone and will be relegated to the Championship. However, there is still at least four clubs who are at risk of joining them. Odds on favourites for the drop with
Clik here to view.
It is not just the club silverware that is yet to be decided, we do not know who will take home the prestigious PFA Player of the Year award yet either. This individual honour, which is awarded to a player after being voted on by their fellow professionals, is highly sought by our Premier League stars. It shows recognition of your individual qualities by the people who play the game.
Liverpool’s Mo Salah is the current holder of the title, after an outstanding goalscoring season last year, but where will the title end up this year? We examine some of the front runners.
1) Paul Pogba – Man Utd
The World Cup-winning Frenchman might struggle to win the honour this year after his terrible form earlier the season on the back of his countries World Cup triumph. However, since Ole Gunnar Solksjaer took over, the central midfielder looks like a player reborn and has barely put a foot wrong while guiding Manchester United to the brink of a top-four finish.
Paul Pogba has scored 11 goals in his 25 Premier League appearances this season, but crucially eight have come in his last eleven matches. Pogba has also had six assists since Solskjaer took over.
2) Harry Kane – Tottenham Hotspur
There is little doubt that in recent years Harry Kane has emerged as one of the best strikers in world football. The Englishman has shown a level consistency throughout his short career, winning consecutive Premier League Golden Boots and finishing the highest goalscorer at last years’ World Cup in Russia.
So far he has helped Spurs this season to pole position to finish in the top four. Kane has scored 17 goals in his 28 Premier League appearances. The frontman also has 4 assists to his name.
3) Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Arsenal
Arsenal’s Gabonese striker joined the north London club in January last year, and since then has gradually grown into his role as Arsenal’s main man.
This season he has really begun to excel under Unai Emery and the striker has started to pay back most of that £56million price tag. This season in 30 games he has scored 17 goals and has five assists to his name.
4) Eden Hazard – Chelsea
Eden Hazard was the early front runner to win the PFA Player of the Year award this year. The Belgian creative midfielder returned to Chelsea on the back of a successful World Cup with Belgian where he picked up the Silver Ball award. He then began the season in lightning fashion, with goals and assists goals.
Clik here to view.
The Chelsea playmaker was really benefiting from the freedom he had been given by new boss Sarri. Since then Eden has let his form slip a little and would require a strong finish to pick up the award. Eden Hazard has scored 14 goals and had 12 assists this season.
5) Mohamed Salah – Liverpool
Last year’s runaway winner, Mo Salah, is in with a shout of retaining his honour this year. The Egyptian had a debut season to remember at Anfield in 2017/18, but this season his has remained on top form guiding Liverpool to within touching distance of the Premier League title.
Mo Salah this year has scored 17 goals in 32 Premier League matches and has had 9 assists.
6) Sergio Aguero – Manchester City
Remarkably Sergio Aguero, arguably Manchester City’s greatest ever player, has never won a PFA award in his seven years with the club. The Argentine has been a phenomenal talent and talisman for City since he joined in 2011 scoring over 160 goals and becoming City’s greatest ever goalscorer.
Clik here to view.
This season he has guided City to top of the league and if he helps secure them the title, he will likely be the frontrunner for the award. Aguero has scored 19 goals in 27 games this season and had 6 assists.
7) Virgil Van Dijk – Liverpool
Virgil Van Dijk is the only defender on this list, and he was a big money buy for Liverpool brought in to shore up their defensive frailties. The big Dutchman has proved his worth quickly establishing himself as the best defender in the Premier League. The big stopper has been an ever-present this year and played every one of Liverpool’s 32 Premier League games.
He has been at the heart of the defence for Liverpool helping them to have 17 clean sheets this year and only one defeat. The Anfield outfit is just one point off the top of the table and if they win the league, Virgil will be favourite to take home the top prize. Virgin Van Dijk has scored 3 goals and had 1 assist in his 32 games this season.
The post The Premier League Player of The Year Contenders appeared first on Sport Stardom: All Things Sports.