While teams battle for the Premier League title, Champions League spots and fight for survival, it is that time of the year where individuals who have made a significant contribution to their teams’ efforts to achieve their goals are recognised by their fellow professionals.
Yes, the PFA Players’ Player of the Year nominees for season 2018/19 have been announced. Here are the six nominees for the award:
Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
The England international has enjoyed another productive campaign, scoring 17 goals and producing 13 assists for Pep Guardiola’s team.
The 24-year-old has an average of a goal or assist every 90 minutes in the top-flight. Only Citizens teammate with an attacking return every 79 minutes has a better ratio in the English top-flight this season. The winger has become an even more integral part of the City team in the current campaign. He is second favourite to win the award this season.
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
The Netherlands international is favourite to pick up the individual award due to his superb displays at the heart of the Liverpool defence. Prior to his arrival, Jurgen Klopp’s team were highly vulnerable at the back.
However, Van Dijk has brought a calmness to the Reds backline, that was previously missing in other campaigns. If Liverpool go on and end their top-flight title drought, then Van Dijk will have played a key role in the triumph. The Dutchman has developed into one of the finest centre-backs in the European game in the past few seasons.
Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
The Senegalese forward is enjoying the most productive campaign of his Premier League career so far. The former Southampton star has scored 18 top-flight goals while producing three assists. The 27-year-old’s pace has been a vital weapon in Liverpool’s attacking armoury this season. Without his goals and his stellar displays, the Merseysider’s would not be the race for the Premier League title.
Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
The Belgium international is arguably the most talented footballer in the Premier League. This season the 28-year-old has scored 16 goals and produced 12 assists, which is the highest goal involvement of any player in the Premier League.
Hazard’s performances have kept the Blues in with a chance of sealing a Champions League spot, despite a mediocre campaign under Maurizio Sarri. With rumours circulating that the forward could be off to Real Madrid this summer, this may be the last season in which Premier League fans get to enjoy the Belgian international.
Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
The Argentinian international is quite simply one of the most prolific strikers in the history of the Premier League. Aguero has a goal ratio of one every 109 minutes in the top-flight this season, the best ratio of any striker who has played more than five games.
Aguero is currently joint-top in the race for the Premier League Golden Boot on 19 goals, while also producing eight assists. The Argentinian is Mr Consistency when it comes to scoring top-flight goals.
Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
The Portuguese international midfielder has shown tremendous improvement this season. He has become a regular in the City starting line-up through not just skill, but also his work-rate.
Silva works incredibly hard, which is an attribute that Citizens boss Pep Guardiola values highly. The former Monaco player is regarded as the long-term successor to namesake David Silva. His importance to the team will only grow over the next few years.
Who will win the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award?
