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Will one of these Leicester City or Spurs stars win the PFA Player of the Year?
With the Premier League season drawing to a close, focus for some players may be on claiming that individual accolade of PFA Player of the Year and being seen as the outstanding player of the season. There are six on the shortlist, leaving a few aggrieved as to why their case for the award isn’t recognised, such as Wes Morgan, Danny Drinkwater and Eric Dier.
Yet, the players who have made it deserve it and it’s hard to choose a winner from a few of them, whilst a couple hold outside shots. The winner is often determined by whose team has done better, but this season a lot of sides have outdone themselves in their own way, making it a very even fight for PFA Player of the Year.
1) Mesut Özil
Arsenal’s German creative maestro has had his best season so far in England despite his team falling away in the title race once more. With 18 assists, Özil is close to breaking club legend Thierry Henry’s 20 assist league record, a sign of an impressive season for Arsenal’s number 11.
, showing he has hit form this campaign whilst some around him haven’t hit the heights expected in a team going for trophies. Arsenal were top of the league into the New Year and looked like they may just end their 12 year wait for the title, spearheaded by Özil.
But, as Arsenal dropped off their perch, Özil’s form became patchy which is why I see him as the long-shot of the six. He has only managed three assists since the turn of the year despite upping his goal tally to eight for the season. The German has undoubtedly had a great season but as Arsenal fell away, Özil became less remarkable and more frustrated with how it’s panned out for himself and his club.
2) Dimitri Payet
“We’ve got Payet, Dimitri Payet, I just don’t think you understand…” – that’s what Hammers fans’ favourite song is now after a mesmerising debut season from the new French wizard. 12 goals in 32 games is a pretty decent return but what makes him stand out from the rest is his craft on the ball, his skill and his trademark free kick. At £10 million reportedly, he’s up there for signing of the season.
West Ham have had a wonderful season and find themselves on the verge of bowing out of the Boleyn Ground in a European place. Payet has inspired those around him to match his level and come together to form one of the best entertainers in the league. Fans should treasure him while they can as he’s no firmly on teams radars, but has already signed an improved deal.
What makes him an outsider for the award is that he has missed more of the season than those ahead of him. His injury lay-off means his stats aren’t up with Mahrez and Kane but he still demands respect for his immediate impact in English football.