Top 10 candidates for Player of the Season!
Who could take the award this year?
Now we have our finalised Premier League squads for this season, we are looking forward to a fantastic season and starting to make our predictions for who’s going to win what.
There are the usual standout players who have already made an impact this season, but there are also new candidates entering the league, and there are bound to be one or two surprise packages.
So who could pick up the PFA Player of the Season award in May? Let’s see who’s sure to come close.
10) N’Golo Kante – Chelsea
He was nominated last year for an excellent debut season for Leicester and now, with an arguably better team around him, the powerhouse in midfield could actually take the award next year if he enjoys another successful season.
9) Sadio Mane – Liverpool
Who knows how Liverpool will finish this season, but Mane is showing strong signs of being a very important player for them this season. He scored fantastic goals against Barcelona and Arsenal, and was very impressive against Burton Albion and Spurs. Who knows, he could be an individual player of brilliance this season.
8) Jamie Vardy – Leicester
Vardy was so impressive last season and it would be hard to foresee him repeating the exact same form. But, who knows, lightning could strike twice and we could see Vardy step it up to an even higher level this season.
7) Harry Kane – Spurs
Kane always struggles to get going in August for some reason, but he once he gets firing again after the international break, he could see a step up in quality again this season. If he increases his goal tally and Spurs shoot for the title again, he could be nominated again this season.
6) Dimitri Payet – West Ham United
If Payet can stay fully fit for the whole season, he can be such an important player for West Ham, who haven’t had the greatest start. Injury is the main concern but he is such a skillful and talented player. He is especially deadly at set-pieces, but he could be a real contender for this award if he can stay fully fit and continue the same kind of form as last season. He needs to prove he wasn’t a one-season wander.
5) Phillipe Coutinho – Liverpool
This man will be make or break for Liverpool this season. He is simply one of the best players in the league, with a fantastic ability to just produce a goal out of nowhere. He displayed his quality against Arsenal with a sublime free-kick, but it was nothing we aren’t used to, we’re used to seeing absolute crackers from him as demonstrated over the last few years. A real contender.
4) Riyad Mahrez – Leicester
The man who won it last year has to be mentioned again. I’m actually surprised he didn’t follow N’Golo Kante out of Leicester to somewhere like Arsenal, but fans at the King Power will be pleased that he’s committed his future to the champions. We’ll see if he and Vardy can produce the same dangerous partnership this season, and if they can, Mahrez could defend his title.
3) Paul Pogba – Manchester United
Let’s be honest, for his price tag, Pogba should be walking this award if he’s worth the money. He’s a very talented player and really, to prove his worth, he needs to win something at Old Trafford this season, whether it’s a team or individual honour.
2) Sergio Aguero – Manchester City
It’s probably about time he took this award, but like Payet, he needs to keep fit. And, he needs to keep away from getting banned (as he is for the Manchester derby on September 10th). However, if he can just keep his tremendous scoring record going and guide Man City to a high finish, he could be nailed on the honour this season.
1) Zlatan Ibrahimovic – Manchester United
He’s won basically everything else, now it’s time for him to win honours in the toughest league in the world. If he does, he will go down as one of football’s all-time greats.
By Ben Kelly – @benkelly_10