The Cityzens’ Treble-winning trio Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and John Stones have all been nominated for the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award, joined by Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, plus former Spurs talisman Harry Kane.
Haaland stands out as the heavy favorite to claim the peer-voted award after convincingly smashing the Premier League single season goalscoring record with 36 goals in 35 matches.
The Norwegian scored 52 overall in all competitions as City claimed the historic Treble comprising the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.
De Bruyne, the PFA Player of the Year in 2020 and 2021, supplied 18 assists and seven goals in the league to propel City to a third straight title, whilst England defender Stones shone after Pep Guardiola adapted him into a midfield role, helping to ensure City conceded just 33 league goals all season, the joint-fewest with Newcastle.
Arsenal skipper Odegaard shone as Mikel Arteta’s side pushed City in the Premier League title race, scoring 15 goals from midfield, while 21-year-old England star Saka was outstanding last season campaign with 14 goals and 11 assists to power the Gunners to the runners-up position.
As for Tottenham striker Kane, the England skipper broke the 30-goal mark in the Premier League for the second time in his career, despite a disappointing campaign for Tottenham.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah won the PFA award last season with players from either Liverpool or City claiming the prestigious prize for the past five editions.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the PFA prize and the winner will be announced on August 29.