The English Premier League has unveiled eight nominees for the standout player of the 2023/24 season, acknowledging their exceptional contributions to their respective clubs. While some of these players are seasoned contenders for such recognition, others have risen to prominence this season, all recognized for their outstanding efforts since the campaign’s kickoff in August 2023.
Dreams of individual accolades alongside team triumphs drive every footballer. Among the nominees, Manchester City and Arsenal boast two representatives each, with one player each from Chelsea, Newcastle, Liverpool, and Aston Villa, completing the prestigious eight-player list.
Who are the nominees for best player of the season?
(1) Phil Foden ( Manchester City)
Foden has been one of the standout midfielders of the season, he has directly contributed to 24 goals, including two hat-tricks, in Manchester City’s quest to be the first team to win four consecutive Premier League titles.
(2) Erling Haaland ( Manchester City)
The Norwegian will be looking to win the award for the second time in a row, he currently leads the 2023/24 goal scorers chart having scored 25 goals. The 23-year-old has also set up five goals for his team-mates, making him one of only three players this season to reach 30 goal involvements.
(3) Cole Palmer ( Chelsea)
The former Manchester City player could easily be named the best signing of the season because of how impressive he has been for Chelsea since he joined in the summer. Palmer has broken a lot of records for the Blues, one of which is equalling
Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard’s Chelsea record of 16 home Premier League goals in a season, while also becoming only the third player in history to reach 30+ goal involvements in a Premier League season while aged 21 or younger, after Robbie Fowler and Chris Sutton.
(4) Alexander Isak ( Newcastle)
This is the second consecutive season after 21 goal involvements in only 27 matches. He is the first Newcastle player since Alan Shearer in 2002/03 to reach 20 goals in a Premier League season.
(5) Martin Odegaard ( Arsenal)
The Norwegian has remarkably led the Gunners this season and one of the best individual rewards he could get is the Best Player of the Season award. The 25-year-old has scored eight goals, assisted eight goals, and created 94 chances, the second most in the league.
(6] Virgil Van Dijk ( Liverpool)
The Dutchman has been fantastic for the Reds this season which is also Jurgen Klopp’s final season at the club. The 32-year-old has made the third most passes in the league and been dribbled past only twice all season, while his 186 duels won are the second most of any center-back.
(7) Declan Rice ( Arsenal)
The former West Ham United player has been fantastic for the Gunners in his debut season. His role as a box-to-box player, as seen him contribute 15 goals while also making 79 tackles and 43 interceptions.
(8) Ollie Watkins(Aston Villa):
This is one of Watkins’ best seasons, having the highest number of goal involvements in the league. He has currently scored 19 goals which puts him fourth in the race for the Golden Boot, while his 12 assists put him two clear in the hunt for the Castrol Playmaker award.
How Will the Winner be Decided?
Football enthusiasts can cast their votes for their preferred nominee until Monday, May 13, 2024, from a pool of eight contenders aged 23 or younger at the season’s start.
