We’re now a third of the way through the 2024/25 season so we’re already thinking about who might succeed Phil Foden as the PFA player of the year. Or perhaps Foden will retain his crown. Hmmm.
Stranger things have happened – like for instance that time when Man United won the literal treble but David Ginola scored some nice goals while being very handsome and nipped in to pinch this award as assorted United stars carelessly split the vote.
Here are the current favourites for this season’s prize, according to the latest best odds available at Oddschecker.
10) Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool)
Has been truly excellent in that Liverpool midfield but the unfussy job he does is unlikely to be rewarded with PFA honours beyond possible entry into the best XI.
7=) Gabriel and William Saliba (Arsenal)
Lumped together in the betting so lumped together here. If Arsenal win the Premier League title, their defensive solidity will be a major factor.
7=) Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Will proving that The Game Has Officially Gone help or hinder his chances? Only time will tell for the Arsenal and England midfielder, but missing out on the chance to take the p*ss out of Spurs was a significant early sacrifice.
**4=) Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)**Imperious at the heart of the Liverpool defence once more, but will likely miss out to Mo Salah if the title goes to the Reds because twas ever thus in the battle twixt attackers and defenders for individual baubles.
**4=) Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)**Was appreciated very much in his absence as Arsenal’s title challenge pretty much fell apart, and has set about further highlighting just how fundamental he is to everything good about Arsenal since his return.
4=) Erling Haaland (Man City)
He was the early favourite but has dropped with Man City’s form despite scoring a goal a game with two hat-tricks and a new assortment of records falling into his lap. He’s been quite rotten for a while now.
3) Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
The statistics have him pegged as the player of the season so far, but Arsenal losing pace on Liverpool hurts him for now.
2) Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Can he replicate last season’s outlandish breakthrough season with a Chelsea side that is, against all the odds, if anything even more ludicrous than last season’s? So far the answer appears to be: yes, yes he can.
1) Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
The brilliant Egyptian has made a fine start to the season, a key factor in Liverpool themselves streaking clear at the top of the table under Arne Slot. If Liverpool can stay top for a decent chunk of the season, as surely they now must, it’s hard to imagine Salah becoming less crucial to that.
May also benefit from being a more obvious standout at Liverpool than any of the City or Arsenal lads who are his major rivals here. If Liverpool win the Premier League, it’s because Salah has been phenomenal. And he’s won it twice before so he has form.