It’s been an unforgettable Premier League season for so many reasons.
The title race being too close to call is one of them.
Some of the record-breaking feats and achievements of certain teams is also another reason. Another reason is the high level at which some of the players have performed this season.
Last season, Manchester City dominated the Premier League and literally ran away with the title. A few months after, they have been pushed all the way by a relentless Liverpool side.
Just recently, the list of nominees for the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Player of the Year (POTY) award was released. The names on the shortlist include:
- Bernardo Silva
- Eden Hazard
- Raheem Sterling
- Sadio Mane
- Sergio Aguero
- Virgil van Dijk
Eden Hazard of Chelsea is the odd one out on this list. By all means, he has been of immense value for Maurizio Sarri this season. He’s the only player in the PL so far that has created double-digit assists (12).
However, this is not the reason why he is the odd one out. The reason is this: Hazard is the only non-Liverpool, non-Manchester-City player on the list.
Manchester City and Liverpool have spent the whole season jostling for the league title. Both sides have taken turns to occupy the top spot in the league this season. So, understandably, it’s only fair that they dominate this kind of list.
Or not?
Bernardo Silva has been one of the brightest stars in the PL this season. Asides being shortlisted on this list, the Portuguese was also nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award. If this season is described as his break-out season, that won’t be too far away from the truth.
Raheem Sterling has scored 23 goals this season for Manchester City. His 16 assists in all competitions (nine in the league) has seen him play a pivotal run in Man. City’s run this season. With one trophy already in the bag, he will be looking to add two more to complete a domestic treble.
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Sterling, who like Bernardo Silva also made the PFA Young Player of the Year award shortlist, will also be looking to win one of the two awards he has been nominated for.
Sadio Mane, in many different ways, is the reason why Liverpool remained in the title fight. The Senegalese forward banged in all the goals Liverpool needed when Mohamed Salah was enduring his goal drought.
Could this be the year Sergio Aguero will eventually be voted for as the league’s best player? Although the Argentine has spent over eight years in England, he has never been voted for as the league’s best player. He has the chance to finish the season as the top scorer. Will this be enough to win his first PFA award?
You won’t find so many defenders better than Virgil van Dijk in the league as we speak. Matter-of-factly, it won’t be far-fetched to say the Dutch player is the best defender in the PL this season. This is underlined by the fact that he is the only defender on the PFA POTY shortlist.
The professionals have made their own list. The winner will be announced on April 28.
If you were to vote for one, which player would get your vote to be the league’s player of the year? Leave us your comments and share your thoughts with us.
Raheem sterling