PFA Player of the Year: Haaland, Salah, Saka among the 10 favorites to win the prestigious award

The Players’ Football Association (PFA) Player of the Year award is one of the most prestigious individual honours bestowed upon top Premier League players each season.

Each year, players from the title-winning side or from the team likeliest to be crowned champion walk away with the award. Players from all 20 clubs in the league have a chance to vote and choose the winner of the award.

Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne were the last three winners of the award, with their teams lifting the title as well in those seasons. This year, the list of favourites to win the award has some new faces. These are players who have either joined the Premier League recently, or have hit a good phase in their development.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at the top 10 favourites to win PFA Player of the Year. (The order of the list is ever-changing due to fluctuating odds)

10. Martin Odegaard | Arsenal | Norway

The Norwegian has been in stunning form for Arsenal this season, although the goals and assists numbers don’t do justice to his displays. In 34 appearances across competitions, he has scored nine and assisted seven goals so far.

Aged only 25 and captaining Arsenal at this level is no mean feat and Odegaard has excelled in his leadership role thus far.

9. Kevin De Bruyne | Manchester City | Belgium

Despite missing a majority of this season through injury, De Bruyne marked his return with a bang and has been crucial for his team since. The 32-year-old has made just 13 appearances this time around, scoring two goals and providing a stunning 12 assists.

Four of those came in a single game against Luton Town in the FA Cup Round 5 as City won 6-2. Should City show strong signs of retaining their title, he could be expected to rise higher in the list.

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8. Virgil van Dijk | Liverpool | Netherlands

Aside the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, van Dijk has been close to his best for Liverpool this season. He also bagged the solitary goal in the Carabao Cup final that helped the Reds lift the cup.

The Dutchman has played in 32 games so far this season and has scored four goals and provided two assists. Winner of the PFA Player of the Year award in 2018-19, van Dijk will look to replicate the performance.

7. Declan Rice | Arsenal | England

Since joining Mikel Arteta’s side, Rice has looked a formidable midfielder in all senses of the word. While he isn’t the highest-ranked Arsenal player on the list, should the Gunners win major silverware ahead of their rivals, the addition of Rice will be seen as a key factor.

The 25-year-old has made 37 appearances for Arteta’s team this season, scoring five goals and providing seven assists. He has scored crucial goals against Manchester United, Chelsea and his former club West Ham this season.

6. Phil Foden | Manchester City | England

Foden’s brilliant performance against Manchester United in a 3-1 win at the Etihad has cemented his place among favourites to win PFA Player of the Year. The ‘Stockport Messi’ has been stunning for Manchester City this season, though.

He has made 40 appearances for the club across competitions so far, scoring 18 goals and providing 10 assists. Aged just 23, his numbers would make a strong case should City lift more silverware this year.

5. Bukayo Saka | Arsenal | England

Arsenal’s “Starboy” has been on fire for them this season. He has scored six goals in his last four Premier League games, including netting against Liverpool. Bukayo Saka has 16 goals and 15 assists in 35 games across competitions.

The 22-year-old has already surpassed his last season’s tally of 26 goal contributions with over 10 games left to play. Should Arsenal win the league, Saka is the favourite to be the first player since Thierry Henry to win the PFA Player of the Year award for the Gunners.

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4. Ollie Watkins | Aston Villa | England

Watkins is on a sensational run this season, scoring and assisting for fun. He has put up numbers akin to Thierry Henry in his prime, and has helped carry Aston Villa to fourth place in the table.

Watkins currently has an impressive 21 goals and 10 assists from 37 games across competitions this season. Of those, 16 goals and 10 assists have come in 27 Premier League games as he strengthens his case for the award.

3. Erling Haaland | Manchester City | Norway

Having won the award last year, Haaland is slightly lower among the favourites this time as his performances have declined slightly. However, he still has remarkably solid stats despite seemingly being worse-off than 2022-23.

The Norwegian has racked up 28 goals and six assists in just 31 appearances for Pep Guardiola’s team this season. With a considerable number of games remaining, it is safe to assume Haaland is far from finished showing his hand.

2. Mohamed Salah | Liverpool | Egypt

The Reds’ Egyptian magician has been in remarkable form this season, barring injury layoffs. In just 28 appearances for Liverpool so far, Salah has bagged 19 goals and provided 10 assists. Of those, 15 goals and nine assists have come in the Premier League.

Salah is currently out injured and has missed his team’s last three games. He will look to come back stronger and deliver, having won the PFA Player of the Year in 2021-22.

1. Rodri | Manchester City | Spain

Rodri has been one of, if not the most important player for Manchester City in recent times. His presence allows them freedom and risks in the final third. Rodri also distributes the ball with great precision.

Having grabbed the Champions League-winning goal against Inter Milan last season, Rodri will look to finish this campaign strong. He has scored seven goals and provided nine assists in 34 appearances across competitions so far.

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