Latest news with #PFAPlayerOfTheYear
BBC News
8 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Why was Van Dijk overlooked?
When the shortlist for the PFA Players' Player of the Year was announced, one name was conspicuously absent - Virgil van Liverpool captain was a cornerstone of the Reds' resurgence in 2024-25 - and to highlight just how impactful he's been, he's compared here with the likes of William Saliba, Nikola Milenkovic, and Gabriel, who are widely regarded as some of the Premier League's top-performing centre-backs. This context underscores the level Van Dijk has operated at throughout the despite matching or outperforming them in several key defensive metrics, the Liverpool captain was surprisingly left off the shortlist for the PFA Players' Player of the what do the advanced numbers say about the Dutchman? Van Dijk's dominance in the air remains unmatched. According to Opta, he comfortably leads his elite peers in aerial duels won on a per game basis. In a league where physicality and aerial strength are vital, especially for a central defender, his superiority in this area sets him may not make headlines, but they reflect a defender's ability to read the game - a skill Van Dijk has in abundance. He is level with or ahead of Saliba, Milenkovic and Gabriel in this department, showcasing his tactical intelligence in Liverpool's high-risk, high-line defensive ground duels, Van Dijk remains highly competitive, just ahead of the others in total duels won, but not by much. More impressively, he has committed the fewest fouls of the group, highlighting his clean, calculated defending. It is a rare combination of aggression and composure that few defenders manage to balance so individual awards are never the full measure of a player's impact, the numbers speak loudly: Van Dijk remains one of the Premier League's elite defenders and is perhaps the most unfortunate omission from this year's honours list.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mary Fowler shortlisted for PFA Player of the Year gong
Australian star Mary Fowler is on the six-person shortlist for the Professional Footballers' Association Women's Player of the Year award. Voted for by fellow professional players, Fowler was included, along with teammate Yui Hasegawa, following her most productive Women's Super League season to date for Manchester City. They are joined by Alessia Russo and Mariona Caldentey from European champions Arsenal, Erin Cuthbert from WSL champions Chelsea, and Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce. Well deserved 👏Yui Hasegawa and Mary Fowler have been voted into the Top Six of the @PFA Players' Player of the Year award! 🏆 — Manchester City Women (@ManCityWomen) June 20, 2025 Also in the running for the PFA Young Player of the Year gong, 22-year-old Fowler picked up six goals and seven assists in the campaign, and her two goal involvements in four successive WSL matches set a competition record in February. Despite having her season cut short by injury in April, the Matildas star was the only City player to reach double figures in goals and assists in all competitions. Japan international midfielder Hasegawa - who won City's Player of the Season award - completed the most dribbles in the WSL across the campaign and was involved in more shot-ending sequences than any other player in her position. She also won possession more times than any other player in the top flight across the season. Russo scored eight times in Arsenal's European success and was joint top scorer in the WSL with 12 goals. Her teammate Caldentey managed nine goals and five assists in the WSL and added eight more in the Champions League. The winner will be announced at the PFA Awards ceremony in Manchester on August 19.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
PFA Players' Player of the Year shortlist revealed: Salah, Rice, Palmer & more battle for top prize
PFA Players' Player of the Year shortlist revealed: Salah, Rice, Palmer & more battle for top prize Mohamed Salah has been named on the shortlist for the 2024–25 PFA Players' Player of the Year award. The Liverpool forward is joined by Alexis Mac Allister, Declan Rice, Bruno Fernandes, Cole Palmer and Alexander Isak on the six-man list. Salah's 29 goals and 18 assists powered Liverpool to the Premier League title and already earned him two individual awards this season. Advertisement He now has the chance to become the first man to win the PFA prize three times, having previously done so in 2018 and 2022. Mac Allister joins him after an outstanding debut season at Anfield, anchoring the midfield through 35 league games and contributing vital balance to Arne Slot's side. Rice is nominated following a second strong campaign at Arsenal, where he continued to deliver high-level performances in midfield as the Gunners finished second. The 25-year-old has become a pillar under Mikel Arteta, providing leadership and consistency in one of Europe's most intense tactical systems. Palmer is Chelsea's sole representative after another productive season, finishing as their top scorer and most creative outlet as they secured Champions League football. Advertisement Isak's 27 goals for Newcastle United underline his growth into one of the Premier League's deadliest strikers, helping the Magpies return to Europe. Bruno Fernandes rounds out the shortlist despite Manchester United's dismal campaign, which ended with them 15th in the table. His eight goals and 10 assists stood out in a dysfunctional side, as he remained the club's most reliable attacking force throughout. The shortlist is voted for by fellow professionals, with the award long regarded as the most prestigious among players. There is no representation from Manchester City for the first time since 2017, ending a dominant run that included four winners in the past five years. Advertisement Phil Foden claimed the prize last season, with Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne winning it previously. This season's winner will be announced at the PFA Awards ceremony on 19 August at the Manchester Opera House. Whether Salah makes history or a new name joins the honours list, the award will cap another memorable year in English football. It will also serve as a barometer of peer respect — the ultimate compliment in the game.
BBC News
15 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Six-man shortlist for PFA Players' Player of the Year announced
The Professional Footballers' Association has announced its shortlist for the PFA Players' Player of the Year award, with six standout Premier League performers in the duo Mohamed Salah and Alexis Mac Allister are joined by Newcastle United's Alexander Isak, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice and Chelsea star Cole continued his remarkable consistency for Liverpool, while Mac Allister impressed in his second season at clinical finishing helped Newcastle to a strong league campaign, and Fernandes remained a creative force despite United's mixed was pivotal in Arsenal's push in the league and Europe, and Palmer continued to show great form at Stamford Bridge with a series of match-winning winner, voted for by fellow professionals, will be announced later this summer.
The Independent
15 hours ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Nominees for PFA Player of the Year announced
& Will Castle Mohamed Salah leads a six-player shortlist for the PFA Player of the Year award. Erling Haaland was notably excluded from the nominations despite scoring 22 goals this season. Salah was instrumental in Liverpool's Premier League title success, contributing 29 goals and 18 assists. The shortlist also includes Alexis Mac Allister, Declan Rice, Cole Palmer, Alexander Isak, and Bruno Fernandes. The PFA awards ceremony is scheduled to be held in Manchester on 19 August. Erling Haaland snubbed again as Liverpool duo leads PFA Player of the Year shortlist
