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The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Player of the Year award is given every year to the player decided to be the best, in not just the Premier League, but English football as a whole. Chelsea's N'Golo Kante won the award for 2017 ahead of team-mate Eden Hazard for his crucial role in his club's title win.
This award is considered to be one of the most prestigious individual awards, especially because the players in England vote to decide the winner. Thus, it serves as a massive token of appreciation from the footballing fraternity although the initial shortlist is determined by voting within the PFA.
A number of top players have won the award since its inception in 1974. However, only 5 players - Mark Hughes, Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, have won it twice. This highlights the remarkable quality and consistency required over the course of a season to win it.
As the 2017-18 league season is about to get underway in a few weeks, a number of top players will be vying for it come next April. So, let's take a look at 5 early picks who have an excellent chance of winning the award.
#1 Eden Hazard
The only player on the list who has already won the award before, Eden Hazard will be even more hungry to win it again this season. He won the award in 2015 before he had a bad year along with his team Chelsea.
However, he rediscovered his mojo last season and was the unofficial second favourite to win the trophy behind team-mate N'Golo Kante.
The Chelsea no.10 is one of the best attacking midfielders in world football at the moment. When on song, his combination of pace, skill, vision and technique can split open any defence. He had his best-ever season in England last year with 16 goals and 5 assists in the PL.
At 26 years of age, he is at the peak of his powers. The arrival of Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata should help increase Hazard's returns as Chelsea look to defend their title.
Eden Hazard has the trust of manager Antonio Conte and this will only push him to get better, making him a firm candidate for being named the Player of the Year in 2018.
#2 Alexis Sanchez
Alexis Sanchez is currently the most complete attacker in the Premier League. The Chilean had his career-best season last year as he scored 24 goals and assisted 10 more for Arsene Wenger's squad.
While end-product is one thing, what makes Sanchez truly the best is his immense work-rate, nerves of steel and a burning desire to win. Add his versatility to it and one can see why Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are trying to sign him.
Sanchez has made his desire to leave Arsenal clear as he enters the final year of his contract. Pep Guardiola wants him at City while PSG are also interested in him. So, there is a slight possibility of the 29-year old not being in the league at all next season.
However, the chances of him staying in England are higher. In such a scenario, he will have a great chance of having a go at the award, be it with City or Arsenal.
#3 Harry Kane
He was labelled a one-season wonder. Then it became two and now three. However, Harry Kane does not look like he is slowing down. If anything, he is only getting better and better.
The 24-year old won the PFA Young Player of the Year in 2015 with 21 league goals for Tottenham. He followed it up with back-to-back Golden Boots in the last two years scoring 25 and 29 league goals respectively.
The Spurs striker was a key player in his side's consistent top 3 finishes in the past 3 years under Mauricio Pochettino. He is not the quickest but makes up for the lack of pace with great awareness, positioning and a brilliant finishing ability.
It does not hurt that he is adept with both the feet.
The North London side have followed Leicester and Chelsea closely in 2016 and 2017 respectively for the PL title but fell short in the end. Thus, the team will be itching to go that final mile and an ever-improving Harry Kane will be the lynchpin.
If Spurs launch another assault this season, then expect the Englishman to be at the forefront for both the Player of the Year and Golden Boot awards.
#4 Philippe Coutinho
Just like Sanchez, there are rumours about Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho's possible move to Barcelona. However, both Liverpool and their manager Jurgen Klopp have made it clear that their no.10 will not be sold in this window.
However, one never truly knows what can happen in football. A lot will depend on whether Neymar will join PSG from Barcelona. If Coutinho stays, then there is no doubt he will be the main man for the Reds next season.
The 25-year old Brazilian is one of the best playmakers in world football and has recently captained the national team as well. He has a terrific record against other teams in the top six and is the talisman for Klopp's team.
He scored 13 goals and assisted 7 more last season. He will be looking to kick on this season and if Liverpool land their top targets Virgil van Dijk and Naby Keita, then they have a squad who can fight for the league title.
In such a scenario, there are no doubts as to who will play the starring role. This makes a Coutinho a strong candidate for the Player of the Year award.
#5 Romelu Lukaku
Probably the least expected pick out of the lot, Romelu Lukaku has a great chance to come into contention for the PFA Player of the Year award. His big money move to Manchester United as their next no.9 provides him with the perfect platform to achieve individual and team glory.
The Belgian has been a goal machine throughout his career. Barring a bad spell at Chelsea where he did not get enough opportunities to play, the 24-year old has scored 10+ goals every season since 2012 at West Brom and Everton.
Last season, he scored 25 league goals at Everton and was leading the Golden Boot race before Harry Kane hit peak form at the end to finish top. The left-footed striker is tall, strong and quick, making him a deadly marksman. No wonder, Lukaku is the first foreigner to score 80 Premier League goals before turning 24.
Further, he will receive better support from the likes of Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan to score more goals in the upcoming season.
Finally, Jose Mourinho's side is one of the title contenders for next season and Lukaku will have a chance to be the main man up front. If he can continue his progression and deliver, then there is no reason why he will not win the Player of the Year award next April.
