Bruno Fernandes is breaking records but Gabriel, Declan Rice and even Marc Guehi should be ahead of him in the queue to be crowned Football of the Year
Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes is enjoying a superb campaign at Manchester United(Image: Getty Images)
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Bruno Fernandes is making a strong case to be crowned Footballer of the Year. His two assists in Manchester United’s win over Aston Villa made it 100 in total for the club, breaking David Beckham’s record and in the process reaching 16 for the season.
Now, the Premier League record of 20 in a single season - held jointly by Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry - is under threat.
There can be no doubt that he is the best player in the team which may well finish as the third best team in the table. It is some turnaround, another stellar season and, as a colleague wrote after the Villa game, where would United be without him?
But, sorry, that cannot be enough to make him Footballer of the Year. It has to come from the team which wins the title.
Elevating United to a respectable finish is not enough when you compare it to Arsenal defender Gabriel or even their in-form midfielder Declan Rice.
If Manchester City usurp Arsenal and win the title then surely Marc Guehi should be a contender. He has been a difference maker.
I actually think as an individual in a faltering team - which United have been at times - then Dominik Szoboszlai makes a very good case. He has been Liverpool ’s best player by a country mile.
Why is he not being talked about? Well, it’s obvious. Liverpool have had a disappointing season. So, forgive me, why is Fernandes being judged differently.
This is the player who we scrutinise and debate whether he is captain material. And yet now he seems to have a growing momentum to be named as player of the year.
Surely an Arsenal player has to win if they win the title. It has to be about a player making an impact to help his team win a trophy.
Back in the day, I voted for Scott Parker for the Football Writers’ Association’s Footballer of the Year. West Ham were relegated. But it taught me a lesson: go for a player in a winning team.
Bruno Fernandes takes the acclaim of his teammates during United's win over Aston Villa
Fernandes takes the acclaim of his teammates during United's win over Aston Villa(Image: Lee Parker - CameraSport via Getty Images)
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It is also worth remembering that when United won the Treble in 1999, who was voted Footballer of the Year? Yes, you go it. David Ginola. He was fabulous but the vote was split by so many United contenders. Not that Sir Alex Ferguson saw that as an acceptable excuse.
This time, Arsenal might be undone by having two such strong contenders in Gabriel and Rice. Normally, Bukayo Saka would be in any conversation but, by his own high standards, it’s not been his best season individually.
Gabriel has been a rock in defence, a titan in attack and a leader of the team. He has broken records as a goalscoring defender. He has scored three goals and made four assists in the Premier League. Personally, he would just edge it for me right now.
Rice is also a great shout. What a season he is having. His performances have been outstanding, his corners (and assists) have been sensational and he has carried Arsenal at times. Rice has four goals and five assists. He has taken Arsenal to a new level.
It is a tight call between those two and that might help Fernandes who, let’s be clear, would be a great choice. But the United factor is at play here. The biggest club, most talked about and therefore any player is in the spotlight more.
But City are still in the mix. It has not been a vintage season by Pep Guardiola ’s standards. But January changed everything. And I think if they win the title - and they still can - then Guehi will be the signing who swung it in their favour.
Last season, Guehi led Crystal Palace to the FA Cup, led them into Europe for the first time, conducted himself with dignity and respect amid a transfer saga and has tightened up City’s defence since his January move.
Over the course of the season, Guehi looks a great choice. Great player, has set a great example and has taken his performances to a new level.
All of these players could be winners - and that should be the barometer for any Footballer of the Year award.
Declan Rice
Declan Rice has been pivotal for Arsenal(Image: Getty Images)
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Bruno Fernandes
Gabriel
Declan Rice
Marc Guehi
Dominik Szoboszlai
Rio Ngumoha
Max Dowman
Estevao Willian
Nico O’Reilly
Alex Scott