Some of the Premier League’s greatest-ever players have been crowned as the Premier League Player of the Year.
Whilst every player would prefer to win the biggest team honors in the game, winning this prestigious prize can enhance the legacy of any Premier League player.
This season has seen a host of players wow fans from all over the world with their special performances and it’s widely regarded that the race to be crowned as this season’s Premier League Player of the Year is the tightest race it has been in years.
With many players in contention to bag this top prize, in this article, we will take a look at some of the players who hope to cap off a memorable season by winning this incredible award.
Phil Foden
2023/2024 has been a monumental season for foden, who has quickly become one of the most important players in the Manchester City squad.
In previous seasons Foden has often been in and out of the City squad, but he has become an undroppable force this season.
Supplanting Julian Alvarez as City’s number 10, a lot of City’s best moments have gone through Foden, and he has rewarded Pep Guardiola’s loyalty with his best goal-scoring season to date.
The favorite to win this year’s Player of the Year prize with some of the most trusted sportsbooks worldwide is Phil Foden, and it’s easy to see why.
Having found the back of the net on 14 different occasions, he has scored two hat-tricks and is one of the main reasons why City is in pole position to win a fourth successive Premier League title.
Set to play a major role in the upcoming 2024 European Championships with England, Foden is well on his way to becoming an all-time Premier League great.
Rodri
Whilst few could argue against Phil Foden picking up this season’s Premier League Player of the Year award, it could be argued that Rodri has been City’s best-performing player this season.
Universally recognized as one of the most dynamic midfielders in the world, Rodri will always be remembered as the man who scored the winning goal in City’s first-ever Champions League triumph.
Rodri is the driving force behind this City team, able to dictate the pace of the game, not only can he win the ball back, but he has an eye for a pass and can chip in with vital goals.
Regarded as one of the Premier League’s most consistent players, if City do go on to win the Premier League it will be largely because of the performances of their talismanic midfielder.
Declan Rice
A few eyebrows were raised when Declan Rice made the move across London to join Arsenal from West Ham in a transfer that set the Gunners back a cool £105 million.
Whilst few could have doubted the class of Rice, he has slotted into the Arsenal midfield with ease and has helped lead Arsenal’s bid for this season’s title.
Whilst Rice can’t quite match the goal-scoring exploits of his rival, Rodri, he has unlocked a new dimension to his game this season and has become one of the best dead-ball specialists in the Premier League.
Offering endless energy and quality on the ball, Rice has shown he is truly elite this year and if he can lead Arsenal to their first title in twenty years it might be enough to secure Player of the Year honors.
Ollie Watkins
Ollie Watkins has enjoyed a brilliant year. A constant menace for opposition defenders, Watkins has been involved in over thirty goal involvements this season and is one of the reasons why Aston Villa stands on the cusp of qualifying for next season’s Champions League and is in with a great chance of winning the Europa Conference League.
Watkins’s performances should be enough to secure him a spot in England’s European Championship squad.
Considered a long shot for this year’s Player of the Year prize, Watkins may miss out on the top prize, but his consistent performances this season should warrant him a place on the shortlist, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him make the season’s Team of the Year.
