Forget Bruno Fernandes and Declan Rice, there's another standout contender for the PFA Player of the Year.
At least that's how talkSPORT presenter Adrian Durham feels, arguing the case for Rayan Cherki on the latest episode of Fiery Fridays.
Arsenal’s English midfielder #41 Declan Rice celebrates after the team’s second goal from an own goal off his corner
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Rice has been a driving force for Arsenal in their Premier League title pursuitCredit: AFP
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Both Fernandes and Rice have been hugely effective performers for respective club sides Manchester United and Arsenal this season.
And to many, the pair are among the standout candidates for the individual accolade.
Cherking Off
Durham, though, believes the duo, and others, should be overlooked in favour of Manchester City star Cherki.
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Cherki has been a revelation for City since his summer arrival from Lyon.
The Frenchman has registered eight assists and scored three times for Pep Guardiola's side in the Premier League this season.
However, there is more to Cherki's game that Durham believes deserves to be recognised when the end-of-season award is handed out.
"I'm thinking of the footballer of the year," Durham began. "You can't have any Arsenal players, they're not footballers, okay? They're just robots.
"So, you can't have any Arsenal players as player of the year."
And on the City star, Durham said: "He is the only contender for footballer of the year.
"Rayan Cherki has won it already."
Rayan Cherki playing for Manchester City
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Cherki deserves to win the PFA Player of the Year award according to Adrian DurhamCredit: Getty
Angelina Kelly probed Durham further on the Arsenal 'robots' quip, asking: "Are you saying that in this scenario Arsenal players are robots or is that just the consensus that they are robots?"
To which Durham replied: "None of us are entertained by Arsenal and and you can't really knock what they're doing.
"They're the top of the league. They're probably going to win the league.
"If Man City win the Premier League, this is a no-brainer.
"But if Arsenal do win the Premier League, they are just robotic. And we're talking about footballer of the year, not robot of the year.
"We're talking footballer of the year who's playing the football. Are you going to give it to the Arsenal top scorer [Viktor] Gyokeres?
"Are you going to give it to Declan Rice who hit a couple of free kicks against Real Madrid? There's nobody who plays football. They're just bullies at set pieces."
Durham continued: "You can't give it to a goalkeeper. Goalkeepers aren't footballers. They're goalkeepers.
"Rayan Cherki is literally the only one who's playing proper football in the Premier League."
The Contenders
While some City fans may agree with the talkSPORT heavyweight's sentiments, many will argue that others would be more deserving winners.
Declan Rice
The current frontrunner for the award, Rice has been instrumental for Arsenal and their title pursuit.
Declan Rice celebrates Arsenal's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg win over Chelsea
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Rice would be a worthy winner of the individual awardCredit: Getty
The 27-year-old has been directly involved in nine league goals for Arsenal this season, scoring four times, but it's the England international's all-round midfield play that has truly benefitted Mikel Arteta's side.
Rice sits joint-second for chances created (58) in England's top tier this term, while 57 tackles and 30 interceptions also rank highly in the 2025-26 Premier League season.
And if Arsenal do go the distance for the first time in over 20 years, then Rice's impact for the capital outfit cannot be overstated.
Bruno Fernandes
The Premier League's creative maestro, and to some, the new face of the league.
Bruno Fernandes reacts after scoring at Bournemouth
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Fernandes has been one of the standout players in the Premier League this termCredit: Getty
Despite Manchester United's struggles in the first half of the season, Bruno Fernandes has been a pillar of consistency for the Manchester giants.
Not only does the United skipper rank top for assists (16), he's also first for chances created (101), clear-cut chances created (24) and joint-first for accurate through balls (13).
United are expected to secure a Champions League return, with Fernandes the shining light at Old Trafford.
Gabriel Magalhaes
Arsenal centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes is aiming to become the first defender since Virgil van Dijk in 2019 to win the PFA Player of the Year award.
Gabriel Magalhaes celebrates Arsenal's goal against Bayer Leverkusen
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Gabriel Magalhaes is vying to become the fourth Premier League defender to win the PFA Player of the Year gongCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
Defenders rarely come into contention for the gong. In fact, only three - Paul McGrath, John Terry and Van Dijk - have won the award since the Premier League's 1992 inception.
The Brazilian, though, certainly has a case to make in his bid to land the award.
Indeed, he's part of an Arsenal backline that's conceded the fewest Premier League goals (22) this season, and ranks among the top 10 players for shots blocked (25) in the division.
Erling Haaland
While Durham objects to any Arsenal 'robot' winning the PFA Player of the Year award, Manchester City's own robot is still hoping to land the accolade.
Erling Haaland celebrates against Liverpool
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Despite a dip in form, Haaland still leads the Golden Boot raceCredit: Getty
Despite a dip in goalscoring form, Erling Haaland has still scored more goals (22) than any other player in the Premier League this season.
Those 22 goals come from 102 shots, also more than any other player in England's top tier.
Should Haaland fire City to the Premier League title, then he'd be a serious contender for his second PFA career award.
Antoine Semenyo
Antoine Semenyo's switch to Manchester City in January coincided with Haaland's dip in form.
Antoine Semenyo for Manchester City.
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Semenyo has shone since his January move to Manchester CityCredit: Getty
Even so, the Ghanaian has transferred his impressive Bournemouth showings to the Etihad Stadium.
Semenyo has scored 15 league goals this season, five of which have come since he made the move north at the turn of the year.
What's more, the former Cherries man has four assists to his name as he continues to shine in England's top tier.
Rayan Cherki
Durham's Rayan Cherki shout is not without merit. After all, the 22-year-old has eight assists to his name, a fine haul given he's started just 14 league matches, and second only to Fernandes.
Manchester City attacker Rayan Cherki
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Is Cherki in with a chance of winning the PFA Player of the Year award?Credit: Getty
He's also second to the United skipper for clear-cut chances created (15) and is averaging a notable 2.9 key passes per 90.
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2.5 successful dribbles per 90 is also a commendable haul for the youngster.
And we'll agree with Durham - Cherki is one who plays the game how it should be played.