George Pitts takes a look at the top candidates to win the race for the PFA Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards.
PFA Player of the Year odds (via Sky Bet)
Kevin De Bruyne – 8/13
Mo Salah – 6/5
Harry Kane – 16/1
Sergio Aguero – 25/1
Raheem Sterling – 28/1
David Silva – 33/1
Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City
It looked like the Belgian had this award wrapped up by Christmas after playing a major role in City’s title assault.
De Bruyne currently tops the charts for Premier League assists this season with 14, and he has been unplayable at times alongside David Silva as the Citizens' creative force.
After his £55m price tag was initially questioned by many in 2015, he has now proved to be worth every penny after a consistent campaign in helping City all-but seal the 2017/18 title.
His reading of the game and vision to pick out a pass is ahead of most - or often moves few people see at all - while he has also chipped in with seven league strikes.
Few would question him winning this season’s award and Belgium will be hoping he can take his form to Russia for the World Cup.
An added bonus to see him doing well is the fact he comes across as a well-spoken, grounded footballer. Manager Pep Guardiola called him an inspiration to the club’s youngsters and said in September: "Kevin is one of the best players I've ever seen in my life, in terms of [the fact] he can make absolutely everything.
"He's a top, top quality player. We are so proud and so happy he's with us."
Salah, Lukaku & De Bruyne would have been incredible Chelsea front three. Signed for £37m. Sold for £59m. Would cost at least £300m now.
— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) March 17, 2018
77 goals this season
Mohamed Salah, Liverpool
Salah returned to the Premier League last summer with a £37.5m price tag to his name and a slight reputation for being a Chelsea flop.
Like De Bruyne, he soon banished those beliefs after an unbelievable campaign while helping ease the loss of Philippe Coutinho to Barca in January.
Nicknamed the Egyptian King, his quadruple v Watford at the weekend meant he is the first Liverpool player to score four in a single game since Luis Suarez in 2013.
Mo Salah's Egypt 5/1 with Sky Bet to win Group A at 2018 World Cup
Those goals took him to 36 (all competitions) in 41 appearances for the Reds this season, 28 of them in the Premier League.
That moved him clear of the injured Harry Kane, who is on 24, making him 1/10 favourite for the Premier League Golden Boot as well as the leader in the race for Europe’s Golden Shoe.
He is second favourite for the PFA accolade, but the way he has hit the ground running, breaking numerous records in his first season, is nothing short of sensational.
As previously mentioned, De Bruyne was already considered the winner by Christmas, but Salah's performances have blown the race wide open again and, if anything, he has probably overtaken De Bruyne by the looks of numerous polls on social media.
Harry Kane, Tottenham
He’s not so bad for a one-season wonder, is he?
That is what he was labelled as after his breakthrough campaign. Two Premier League Golden Boots later, Kane is still in the running for both top scorer and PFA Player of the Year awards.
Sky Bet: Harry Kane 4/9 to captain England in the first game at 2018 World Cup finals
But an injury set to keep him out until April will see him lose ground in the race for both accolades. His consistency to be up there year after year is admirable, especially when he has sat out some part of each season with injuries.
The England marksman has scored 24 of Tottenham’s 59 league goals in 2017/18, assisting two, but the achievements of De Bruyne and Salah make him an outsider.
Sergio Aguero, Manchester City
Like Kane, Aguero has had some season – he has just been outshone by Salah and team-mate De Bruyne.
He capitalised on an injury to Gabriel Jesus as he became their main striker and a consistent fixture in City's side under Guardiola. But that is not to say he was poor before the Brazilian was sidelined – Aguero’s consistency this term is evident by the fact the longest he has gone without a goal for City in all competitions is two games. He has 30 in 37 appearances and this season became the club’s all-time top scorer.
Five of the 29-year-old’s Premier League goals have been assisted by De Bruyne and he will do well to trump his City team-mate in this one – and you can’t see him having too many complaints about it.
Sky Bet: Argentina's Sergio Aguero 25/1 to win Golden Boot award at 2018 World Cup
PFA Young Player of the Year odds (via Sky Bet)
Raheem Sterling – 2/5
Leroy Sane – 7/4
Dele Alli – 40/1
Marcus Rashford – 80/1
Anthony Martial – 100/1
Raheem Sterling, Manchester City
Sterling’s performances have gone to another level under Pep Guardiola.
With 20 goals - and 11 assists - in all competitions, he is having his best ever season and should now be considered as a sure starter for England at the World Cup.
It is easy to forget he is still only 23, and the winger’s all-round game has improved considerably since the former Barcelona and Bayern boss replaced Manuel Pellegrini in 2016.
He is favourite to win the Young Player award, as he finally starts to prove those who doubted his hefty price tag wrong.
Leroy Sane, Manchester City
Another City player whose performances have reached new heights, Sane is now showing exactly why he was Germany’s most promising talent during his Schalke days.
When on form, he is red-hot, with close control, speed, vision, unpredictability and much more. At 22, his potential is limitless – if he keeps improving at this rate under Guardiola he will undoubtedly be up there with the best in the world in a couple of years’ time.
The PFA Young Player of the Year award really is a two-horse race between Sane and Sterling, and it is tough to call.
Dele Alli, Tottenham
After a season in the spotlight, it is surprising to see Alli as third-favourite in the running for Young Player of the Year.
The deserved winner of last year’s award, Alli has received a lot of flak for his temper and being prone to go down in the penalty box rather easily.
It papers over the fact he has scored six and assisted 10 in the Premier League this term – at the age of 21 – in just his third top-flight campaign.
He will be key to England’s World Cup hopes, as well as Tottenham’s ambitions to finish in the top four and win the FA Cup.
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Last updated at 1530 GMT 19/03/2018.
