The PFA awards ceremony takes place this Sunday and last year's event saw Mo Salah take POTY for his record-breaking goal scoring exploits and Leroy Sane win YPOTY for his fantastic performances on the wing. Fast forward a year and there will definitely be new winners of each award! Read below for our Team of the Year, Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year.
The Brazillian arrived at Anfield at the start of the season for a world record fee for a goalkeeper, overtaken by Chelsea and Kepa Arrizabalaga weeks later, after stellar performances for Roma in Serie A. Named in the Serie A TOTY for 2017/18, Alisson has continued his form this season into the Premier League. Despite making a few errors, like most goalkeepers, his presence between the sticks has been vital in Liverpool's title challenge and his overall ability has made Liverpool a much better side.
STAT - Alisson has the most clean sheets this season (18)
UNLUCKY TO MISS OUT - Ederson (Manchester City) and Ben Foster (Watford)
RIGHT BACK - AARON WAN-BISSAKA (CRYSTAL PALACE)
The young English defender, somehow not shortlisted for YPOTY, has been a revelation ever since earning a place in the Palace line-up last season. He has continued to show his promise this season, with excellent displays in attacking and defending. A converted winger, Wan-Bissaka revealed that it is his past experience as a wideman that allows him to understand the movement of wingers so he can pre-empt their runs and tackle them. Wan-Bissaka's inclusion despite Palace being 12th is testament to him.
STAT - No defender has made more tackles than Wan-Bissaka this season (120)
UNLUCKY TO MISS OUT - Matt Doherty (Wolves) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
CENTRAL DEFENCE - VIRGIL VAN DIJK (LIVERPOOL) & AYMERIC LAPORTE (MANCHESTER CITY)
The £75 million spent on Van Dijk seemed excessive at first but 15 months on, the Dutchman makes the price seem like a bargain. He is no doubt the best defender in the world and his consistency at the back is what makes him so good. Alongside either of Liverpool's three other centre backs, Van Dijk's presence gives them and the other players so much confidence. His calmness under pressure was shown when facing Tottenham as Moussa Sissoko raced towards the goal. Looking destined to score, Van Dijk pushed him onto his weaker foot and Sissoko fired over. It was 1-1 and Liverpool went on to win 2-1. It is him or Sterling for POTY.
Laporte is a typical Guardiola centre back. An exceptional passer of the ball, Laporte also has an aerial presence which makes him a complete defender. He cost £57 million but is worth every penny. He has never been capped by France which is ridiculous for someone of his ability - the suggestion that Laporte may switch to Spain grows every time he puts in a great performance.
STATS - No defender has made more passes than Van Dijk (2,663) and Laporte (2,594) this season
UNLUCKY TO MISS OUT - Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea) and Willy Boly (Wolves)
LEFT BACK - ANDY ROBERTSON (LIVERPOOL)
The most remarkable thing about Andy Robertson is that he cost £8.5 million, yet he's established himself as undoubtedly the best in the league and one of the best in the world. He is a constant threat down the left hand side with his marauding runs and his end product through crosses is extraordinary. Liverpool struggled with finding a solid left back for years but Robertson was an absolute bargain, even more so with the astronomical prices in the modern game.
STAT - No defenders has more assists than Robertson this season (9)
UNLUCKY TO MISS OUT - Lucas Digne (Everton) and Ben Chilwell (Leicester City)
RIGHT MIDFIELD - RAHEEM STERLING (MANCHESTER CITY)
Raheem Sterling has developed as a player and person so much this season. He has lead the line in tackling racism and recently paid for the funeral of Damary Dawkins, a 13 year old Crystal Palace players who passed away with cancer. As for football, Sterling has been City's main attacking threat and is one of the first names on the team sheet. Sterling's ability can no longer be criticised and he is truly a world class player.
STAT - No English player has more goal contribution than Sterling this season (26, 17G/9A)
UNLUCKY TO MISS OUT - Mo Salah (Liverpool) and Ryan Fraser (Bournemouth)
CENTRAL MIDFIELD - FERNANDINHO & BERNARDO SILVA (MANCHESTER CITY)
When Manchester City lost games around Christmas, there was one key man missing from the side - Fernandinho. The Brazilian defensive midfielder is arguably the most important cog in Guardiola's machine. He is the one that breaks up play and tackles, perhaps too agressively, which is so important in their high pressing game. A solid defensive midfielder is crucial in modern football and there aren't many as good as Fernandinho.
Operating on the right occasionally, Bernardo Silva has been exceptional this season. His best performance arguably came in the most intense game of the season - home to Liverpool. His stamina, energy and silky dribbling are so impressive in every game he plays. He is perhaps the most underrated player in the Premier League.
STATS - No Manchester City midfielder has made more average passes per game than Fernandinho (71.6) this season and No Manchester City player has covered more ground than Silva this season
UNLUCKY TO MISS OUT - Declan Rice (West Ham United), Gini Wijnaldum (Liverpool), Lucas Torreira (Arsenal) and James Maddison (Leicester City)
LEFT MIDFIELD - SADIO MANE (LIVERPOOL)
Sadio Mane has been in electifying form this season and has been a pain in the arse to all right backs he has faced. The Senegal man had a terrific run of form since the turn of the year, scoring 10 goals in 15 games. His form was integral given Salah was out of form and he thoroughly deserves his place in the TOTY.
STAT - No Liverpool player has hit the woodwork more time than Mane (4) this season
UNLUCKY TO MISS OUT - Eden Hazard (Chelsea) and Heung-Min Son (Tottenham Hotspur)
STRIKERS - SERGIO AGUERO (MANCHESTER CITY) & PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG (ARSENAL)
Sergio Aguero has been Manchester City's main talisman for the past 7 years and has gone about his business quietly, scoring 162 league goals in 234 games. His record is astonishing and has remarkably only been named in PFA TOTY once. His nomination for POTY is wholeheartedly deserved but he will fall just short of Van Dijk and Sterling.
Aubameyang has been 'Mr. Reliable' for Arsenal since arriving in January 2018 and has turned out to be one of Wenger's best ever buys. He, like Aguero, has a fantastic record in the league, amassing 29 goals in 45 games. He has scored crucial goals for Arsenal this season as they hope to return to Champions League football next season.
STATS - No strikers have score more goals than Aguero and Aubameyang (19) this season
UNLUCKY TO MISS OUT - Raul Jimenez (Wolves) and Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
TEAM OF THE YEAR
GOALKEEPER - ALISSON (LIVERPOOL)The Brazillian arrived at Anfield at the start of the season for a world record fee for a goalkeeper, overtaken by Chelsea and Kepa Arrizabalaga weeks later, after stellar performances for Roma in Serie A. Named in the Serie A TOTY for 2017/18, Alisson has continued his form this season into the Premier League. Despite making a few errors, like most goalkeepers, his presence between the sticks has been vital in Liverpool's title challenge and his overall ability has made Liverpool a much better side.
STAT - Alisson has the most clean sheets this season (18)
UNLUCKY TO MISS OUT - Ederson (Manchester City) and Ben Foster (Watford)
RIGHT BACK - AARON WAN-BISSAKA (CRYSTAL PALACE)
The young English defender, somehow not shortlisted for YPOTY, has been a revelation ever since earning a place in the Palace line-up last season. He has continued to show his promise this season, with excellent displays in attacking and defending. A converted winger, Wan-Bissaka revealed that it is his past experience as a wideman that allows him to understand the movement of wingers so he can pre-empt their runs and tackle them. Wan-Bissaka's inclusion despite Palace being 12th is testament to him.
STAT - No defender has made more tackles than Wan-Bissaka this season (120)
UNLUCKY TO MISS OUT - Matt Doherty (Wolves) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
CENTRAL DEFENCE - VIRGIL VAN DIJK (LIVERPOOL) & AYMERIC LAPORTE (MANCHESTER CITY)
The £75 million spent on Van Dijk seemed excessive at first but 15 months on, the Dutchman makes the price seem like a bargain. He is no doubt the best defender in the world and his consistency at the back is what makes him so good. Alongside either of Liverpool's three other centre backs, Van Dijk's presence gives them and the other players so much confidence. His calmness under pressure was shown when facing Tottenham as Moussa Sissoko raced towards the goal. Looking destined to score, Van Dijk pushed him onto his weaker foot and Sissoko fired over. It was 1-1 and Liverpool went on to win 2-1. It is him or Sterling for POTY.
Laporte is a typical Guardiola centre back. An exceptional passer of the ball, Laporte also has an aerial presence which makes him a complete defender. He cost £57 million but is worth every penny. He has never been capped by France which is ridiculous for someone of his ability - the suggestion that Laporte may switch to Spain grows every time he puts in a great performance.
STATS - No defender has made more passes than Van Dijk (2,663) and Laporte (2,594) this season
UNLUCKY TO MISS OUT - Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea) and Willy Boly (Wolves)
LEFT BACK - ANDY ROBERTSON (LIVERPOOL)
The most remarkable thing about Andy Robertson is that he cost £8.5 million, yet he's established himself as undoubtedly the best in the league and one of the best in the world. He is a constant threat down the left hand side with his marauding runs and his end product through crosses is extraordinary. Liverpool struggled with finding a solid left back for years but Robertson was an absolute bargain, even more so with the astronomical prices in the modern game.
STAT - No defenders has more assists than Robertson this season (9)
UNLUCKY TO MISS OUT - Lucas Digne (Everton) and Ben Chilwell (Leicester City)
RIGHT MIDFIELD - RAHEEM STERLING (MANCHESTER CITY)
Raheem Sterling has developed as a player and person so much this season. He has lead the line in tackling racism and recently paid for the funeral of Damary Dawkins, a 13 year old Crystal Palace players who passed away with cancer. As for football, Sterling has been City's main attacking threat and is one of the first names on the team sheet. Sterling's ability can no longer be criticised and he is truly a world class player.
STAT - No English player has more goal contribution than Sterling this season (26, 17G/9A)
UNLUCKY TO MISS OUT - Mo Salah (Liverpool) and Ryan Fraser (Bournemouth)
CENTRAL MIDFIELD - FERNANDINHO & BERNARDO SILVA (MANCHESTER CITY)
When Manchester City lost games around Christmas, there was one key man missing from the side - Fernandinho. The Brazilian defensive midfielder is arguably the most important cog in Guardiola's machine. He is the one that breaks up play and tackles, perhaps too agressively, which is so important in their high pressing game. A solid defensive midfielder is crucial in modern football and there aren't many as good as Fernandinho.
Operating on the right occasionally, Bernardo Silva has been exceptional this season. His best performance arguably came in the most intense game of the season - home to Liverpool. His stamina, energy and silky dribbling are so impressive in every game he plays. He is perhaps the most underrated player in the Premier League.
STATS - No Manchester City midfielder has made more average passes per game than Fernandinho (71.6) this season and No Manchester City player has covered more ground than Silva this season
UNLUCKY TO MISS OUT - Declan Rice (West Ham United), Gini Wijnaldum (Liverpool), Lucas Torreira (Arsenal) and James Maddison (Leicester City)
LEFT MIDFIELD - SADIO MANE (LIVERPOOL)
Sadio Mane has been in electifying form this season and has been a pain in the arse to all right backs he has faced. The Senegal man had a terrific run of form since the turn of the year, scoring 10 goals in 15 games. His form was integral given Salah was out of form and he thoroughly deserves his place in the TOTY.
STAT - No Liverpool player has hit the woodwork more time than Mane (4) this season
UNLUCKY TO MISS OUT - Eden Hazard (Chelsea) and Heung-Min Son (Tottenham Hotspur)
STRIKERS - SERGIO AGUERO (MANCHESTER CITY) & PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG (ARSENAL)
Sergio Aguero has been Manchester City's main talisman for the past 7 years and has gone about his business quietly, scoring 162 league goals in 234 games. His record is astonishing and has remarkably only been named in PFA TOTY once. His nomination for POTY is wholeheartedly deserved but he will fall just short of Van Dijk and Sterling.
Aubameyang has been 'Mr. Reliable' for Arsenal since arriving in January 2018 and has turned out to be one of Wenger's best ever buys. He, like Aguero, has a fantastic record in the league, amassing 29 goals in 45 games. He has scored crucial goals for Arsenal this season as they hope to return to Champions League football next season.
STATS - No strikers have score more goals than Aguero and Aubameyang (19) this season
UNLUCKY TO MISS OUT - Raul Jimenez (Wolves) and Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
There has been a debate for this award between Van Dijk and Sterling but, in my opinion, there shouldn't even be a contest. Van Dijk has been the league's best player this season and deserves the award. Sterling, though, has been sensational as well, just not as sensational as Van Dijk.
YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Sterling can have some happiness, though, as he will be crowned YPOTY. This award, though, doesn't really give the opportunity for young players to win the award. Sterling and Bernardo Silva are both 24 but are eligible as they were 23 when the season begun, despite Silva turning 24 on the exact day the season started. The award should before under 21s and if that was the case, Declan Rice should have won the award. Aaron Wan-Bissaka not being shortlisted is undeserving of his form.
So those are the awards. It's been a terrific season and there will be a nail-biting run in with 1st place, Top 4 and survival still to play for!
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