Opinion: Analysing the contenders for PFA Player of the Year

With the season nearing an end, speculation is beginning to arrive about who will win player of the season.

Over recent years, some illustrious players have won the award, including the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, N’Golo Kante and of course Gareth Bale.

Therefore, I thought I would look at the 3 main contenders for PFA POTY:

Ruben Dias 

The first of the three is the man who is arguably the best centre-back in the world currently. The 23-year-old Portuguese star has been phenomenal for the Citizens as he has transformed their frail defence.

Last season, Man City only kept 17 clean sheets, however this season the Manchester side have already kept 18 clean sheets with 4 games remaining (Premier League). 

Considering their defence is very similar compared to last season, apart from the addition of Dias, it shows just how fundamental his impact has been. When watching Dias, you can see his class. He has had 0 errors leading to goals, whilst having a tackle success % of 62 (Premier League).  

His partnership with John Stones has arguably been the best in the league, with it being a major reason behind Man City winning the title. Despite this, I still don’t believe that Ruben deserves the award, therefore, I think he will finish in 3rd for POTY. 

Bruno Fernandes 

No one can doubt the impact the Portuguese superstar has had. The 26-year-old has been a shining light in a resurgent Man Utd side, with 16 goals and 11 assists this season (Transfermarkt), whilst also showing his creativity throughout. 

However, 8 of these goals have been from the penalty spot (Premier League), which is one of the reasons I think he doesn’t deserve the top spot. 

There is no doubt that he has been sensational, however, if half of his goals have come from the spot, it makes me questions his true goal-scoring capabilities. This season, many people have asked the question, is Bruno better than De Bruyne? 

Personally, I believe that the Belgian is a better player overall if you ignore stats and just watch them play. However, we can’t ignore the incredible stats Bruno has, which is why the gap is closing between the two best midfielders in the league. 

Overall, there’s no doubt Bruno has enjoyed a blistering season; however, I don’t think his campaign is anywhere near the levels of our final player, the one and only, Harry Kane 

Harry Kane 

Maybe I’m being biased, but Harry Kane is the best striker in the world. He tops Robert Lewandowski and is criminally underrated by rival fans. 

During the 20/21 season, Kane has 21 goals and 13 assists during 31 premier league games (Transfermarkt). Incredibly, this averages over one goal contribution every game. Sensational numbers for a sensational player. 

If you watch the England captain play, you can see his importance to a frail Spurs side. Consistently, Kane drops deep to play like a false 9, until he eventually plays a pinpoint pass to the likes of Son or Bale. 

I remember the game away to Southampton vividly. Kane earned himself four assists as he tore the Saints side to pieces with his world-class passing. 

To keep it simple, there is one reason as to why Kane deserves POTY. He is the best player in the league and there are no questions about it.

Personally, if Kane carries his England side to European Champions, then he has to be a contender for the Ballon d’Or. That’s how highly I rate him, and other fans should too. 

If Kane wasn’t in this Spurs side, they would quite possibly be struggling for a top-half finish.

He carries this team, shown when the Englishman was injured and we offered no creativity or finishing. He is vital to this team, therefore it’s imperative that Levy persuades him to stay.  

Due to this, I believe that Harry Kane deserves to win POTY, however, I fully expect Bruno to win it due to greater popularity.  

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