As the Premier League season has entered it’s final stage, the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) has announced the nominees for the Player of the Year award.
Like always, there are six nominees. The first one is Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez. The Algerian joined the Foxes in the winter of 2014 from French side Le Havre and has rocketed his club to Premier League gold with 16 goals and 11 assists, making him the favourite to win the award.
Riyad Mahrez has been directly involved in 27 Premier League goals, more than any other player (16G, 11A).
Magic. pic.twitter.com/DUdvdorbbw
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) 13 april 2016
Next up is Mahrez’s team-mate Jamie Vardy. The 29-year-old has proven to be England’s most stunning football story, rising from the lower leagues to become a star striker in the Premier League with his 21 goals so far. Vardy has also provided six assists for Leicester.
Jamie Vardy scored in 11 consecutive Premier League games this season, setting a new record.
Vardy Party. pic.twitter.com/brtVWeAtKi
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) 13 april 2016
Mahrez and Vardy are joined by another team-mate, as N’Golo Kante was also nominated by the PFA. The Frenchman joined the Foxes last summer from Caen and has been key with his work in midfield.
N’Golo Kanté has won more tackles (105) than any other player in Europe’s top 5 leagues this season.
The Enforcer. pic.twitter.com/V5U2vnAXS0
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) 13 april 2016
Tottenham’s Harry Kane is nominee number four. The Spurs star player started off slowly this season, but has been on fire during the last couple of months. Kane is currently the league’s leading scorer with 22 goals and has turned Tottenham into a title contender.
Harry Kane’s Premier League record:
2015/16: 33 games, 22 goals
2014/15: 34 games, 21 goals
Two-season wonder. pic.twitter.com/IbiURckEh5
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) 13 april 2016
Than there’s Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil. The German leads the Premier League by a wide margin, providing 18 assists so far for the Gunners. Arsenal might be as good as out of the title race, but Ozil has proven to be their most important player with his vision, passing, and creativity.
Mesut Özil in the Premier League in 2015/16:
Most chances created: 121
Most final third passes: 64
Most assists: 18 pic.twitter.com/0xeWS7giXf— Squawka Football (@Squawka) 13 april 2016
Last but not least, West Ham’s Dimitri Payet made the cut. The Frenchman never envisioned becoming such an important player for the Hammers when he joined them from Ligue 1 giants Marseille. However, Payet has provided nine goals and eight assists so far, with West Ham fighting for a spot in Europe.
Dimitri Payet’s Premier League season by numbers:
25 games
92 chances created
62 take-ons
9 goals
8 assists pic.twitter.com/K0QJD9fb2w— Squawka Football (@Squawka) 13 april 2016
The PFA also announced their six nominees for young Player of the Year award. Those are Everton’s Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley, Tottenham’s Dele Alli and Harry Kane, Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho, and Stoke’s Jack Butland.
