Cole Palmer, Rayan Cherki and Bruno Fernandes.
Cole Palmer, Rayan Cherki and Bruno Fernandes.
Bruno Fernandes was named PFA Player of the Year for 2025/26 for his assist-laden season that took Manchester United back into the Premier League.
He is among the favourites to retain the trophy, which would make him the first player since Kevin de Bruyne to win back-to-back accolades.
It’s nice to see Rayan Cherki among the favourites because he is a very lovely footballer, while there are only two new signings among the top 11 despite a massive summer of spending.
Who will be the Premier League player of the year in 2026/27?
8=) Morgan Rogers (Chelsea)
It’s certainly been a positive start for the most expensive English footballer in history with three goals in his first four games.
8=) Elliot Anderson (Manchester City) It has certainly been an impressive start to his City career for Anderson, who is just perhaps waiting for a goal or assist to add to his usual calm presence throughout City’s four victories.
8=) Gabriel (Arsenal)
The best centre-half in the Premier League bar none, but if he did not win it in 2025/26 when he was key to Arsenal’s title win, he seems unlikely to win in 2026/27 when the players in front of him are more impressive.
7) Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Probably had his worst season in an Arsenal shirt in the season they finally won the title, but remains one of the best players in the Premier League when fit and in form. He’s in the Team of the Year so far for 2026/27.
5=) Declan Rice (Arsenal)
The Arsenal player with probably the greatest claim to the award in 2025/26. His campaign earned him a place in the Team of the Year but he could not contend with the weight of Bruno Fernandes’ numbers for the main gong. Remains the heart of Arsenal.
5=) Rayan Cherki (Manchester City)
Two goals and two assists in his first three Premier League games of the season as he settles into that No. 10 role behind Erling Haaland. We told you he was better than Florian Wirtz.
4) Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Looks back to his best after a summer off. It helps when he is playing alongside Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro.
3) Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)
Already looks a far, far better player in 2026/27 than he did in 2025/26, when Arsenal seemed to win the title in spite of the Norwegian rather than because of him.
2) Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
There he is again. Get anywhere near that Premier League assist tally again and Fernandes could replicate De Bruyne and retain this title.
1) Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
If he scores all of the goals as Manchester City win the title, he will be a shoo-in. Is he the Premier League’s only bona fide world-class star?