Declan Rice and Myles Lewis-Skelly
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has been named on the shortlist for the 2024/25 PFA Players’ Player of the Year award, recognising his outstanding performances throughout the season. The Professional Footballers’ Association revealed the six-man shortlist on Friday.
Rice is joined by Liverpool duo Mohamed Salah and Alexis Mac Allister, Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes, Chelsea’s breakout star Cole Palmer, and Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak.
The 26-year-old England international, who joined Arsenal from West Ham United for a club-record £105 million in the summer of 2023, has quickly established himself as one of the Premier League’s top midfielders. This marks his first-ever nomination for the senior PFA Players’ Player of the Year award, which is voted on by fellow professionals across the English top flight.
READ MORE: Fabrizio Romano confirms Arsenal finalise all formalities for first summer signing
Rice’s inclusion comes off the back of a stellar campaign in which he featured in both the UEFA Champions League Team of the Season and the PFA Team of the Year for 2023/24. He had previously been nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year in 2019 while at West Ham.
Arsenal - Declan Rice
Declan Rice (Image credit: Getty Images)
In the 2024/25 season, Rice delivered a career-best output with nine goals and 10 assists in 52 appearances across all competitions. His box-to-box midfield role under Mikel Arteta saw him dominate both defensively and offensively. He registered 25 interceptions, recovered possession 156 times, created 59 chances, and completed 1,326 successful passes, highlighting his all-around contribution to Arsenal’s campaign.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE NOW ARSENAL WHATSAPP GROUP CHAT NOW!
Despite Arsenal finishing as Premier League runners-up for a third consecutive season, Rice’s consistency and standout displays, including a commanding performance in the Champions League against Real Madrid, have not gone unnoticed.
However, he faces strong competition for the PFA’s top individual honour, with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah emerging as the favourite. Salah enjoyed a record-breaking season, scoring 29 goals and providing 18 assists as the Reds clinched the Premier League title. A two-time recipient of the award, Salah could become the first player in history to win it three times.
The PFA Players’ Player of the Year award is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious individual accolades in English football. The winner, decided by a vote among PFA members, will be announced during a ceremony at the Manchester Opera House on August 19, 2025.
NEXT ARTICLE: Mesut Özil denies involvement in player’s decision to snub Arsenal this summer