5 players who deserved to be nominated for PFA Player of the Year 2017/18

We all know this year's PFA Player of the Year will most likely go to one of two players - Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne and Liverpool's Mohamed Salah. Of that, there is no doubt.

The rest of the players - David De Gea, Harry Kane, Leroy Sane, and David Silva - merely make up the numbers. Each of the six players mentioned clearly deserved to be named in the list of nominees but there are a few players who nearly made the cut too.

We look at five such players who narrowly missed out.

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#1 Christian Eriksen (Tottenham Hotspur)

If Barcelona really wanted to bring in a midfielder from the Premier League, they should ideally have gone for Christian Eriksen rather than Philippe Coutinho. The Danish midfielder was perfect for their style of play but Mauricio Pochettino has made him the lynchpin of the Spurs attack.

Whether it's in a midfield diamond or in the hole behind the striker, Eriksen has consistently performed to come up with 10 goals and 9 assists in the league this season. He is also among the Top 10 players who have created the most chances this season.

In a season where Dele Alli has not lived up to last season's expectations, Eriksen has stepped up and delivered - especially in the second half of the season where he has managed to find the back of the net against sides in the top five.

#2 Roberto Firmino (Liverpool)

Roberto Firmino has quietly gone about his business this season

"Mo Salah, world class, but not every day. Sadio Mane, world class, but not every day. Roberto Firmino, world class, pretty much every day!" - Jurgen Klopp

It would be harsh to deny Roberto Firmino his plaudits after a fantastic season with the Reds - overshadowed only by the brilliance of Mohamed Salah.

The Egyptian is understandably a favourite for the award with goalscoring exploits to rival even Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo but Firmino must also get his due.

Although he leads the line, Firmino is no classic no.9. Klopp has created the most devastating attacking trio in Europe this season and the Brazilian is just a wheel in a well-oiled machine that has plundered goals in the league (second-best after Manchester City).

The 26-year-old has 15 goals and 7 assists in the Premier League this season. It's only half the goals as Salah has managed but nobody can deny that he has made Liverpool's attack a major talking point this season.

And more importantly to Klopp, he is also Liverpool's first line of defence.

#3 Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)

Raheem Sterling has had his breakthrough season at Manchester City

Pep Guardiola may never coach a player like Lionel Messi ever again. He perfected Messi's false-nine role that eventually made him one of the greatest players in the history of the game.

At Manchester City, Guardiola has tried something similar with Raheem Sterling but has predominantly played him as a winger. Despite his profligacy in front of goal, he has repeatedly caused defenders problems in the box.

Of course, Sterling is no Messi, but Guardiola's persistence and patience with the 23-year-old Englishman seem to be paying off.

Sterling has 17 goals and 8 assists this season - his best return ever since his debut as a teenager back in 2011/12. By the end of the season, he could well be one of few players to get into double digits for both goals and assists.

He has been nominated for the Young Player of the Year award but a little more consistency may have given him a spot among the elite.

#4 Nick Pope (Burnley)

Nick Pope wasn't even Burnley's no.1 at the start of the season

"Six months ago I couldn’t have imagined it would have gone as well as it has. Not being no.1 is a tough place to be." - Nick Pope

Burnley boss Sean Dyche has a big headache to deal with this summer. Does he make Tom Heaton or Nick Pope The Clarets' no.1 next season?

The club has had its best season in decades and poor Heaton was ruled out for months with a shoulder injury. Now that he is back in contention, he is finding it difficult to displace Pope who has had a phenomenal season himself.

Burnley have conceded only 29 goals this season - third-best after the two Manchester sides at the top. They are currently in 7th place and could still reel in Arsenal and finish sixth! A Europa League qualifier is guaranteed.

And Pope has been instrumental at the back, making a total of 100 saves in all this season! If things go according to plan, the 25-year-old could even be on the plane to Russia for the World Cup this summer.

#5 Nemanja Matic (Manchester United)

Nemanja Matic has held up Manchester United's midfield almost single-handedly

Jose Mourinho's patience has been tested at press conferences a number of times this season. This is the first time he has failed to win a league title in his second season at a club and the surly nature of these press conferences have hogged the limelight more than the Red Devils' performances at times.

But amongst the relative doom and gloom at Old Trafford, Mourinho still praises the performances of Nemanja Matic even if the rest of the side has not played according to plan.

"Many, many times Matic was an island of personality and desire and control, surrounded by a lack of personality, class and desire." - Jose Mourinho

Whether such straightforward public criticism of his players will work in the long run is up for debate but the fact that Matic still gets praise shows he is the glue that holds United together in midfield.

Paul Pogba has blown hot and cold while no other midfielder has had a run of games to be labelled a consistent performer. And yet, United are second in the league and - barring a late collapse - will cling on to that spot to finish deserved runners-up.

Matic has made 59 interceptions and 65 tackles this season. The 29-year-old Serbian blocks passing channels, he breaks up counter-attacks before they can develop, and he effectively shields the back-line which has had its own fair share of problems.

"I didn't have many managers in my life. He is special because he wants to win always. It is very difficult to work with him because he always wants more and more. I like when the manager always wants better." - Nemanja Matic on Mourinho

That isn't all. He also initiates attacks by spraying the ball to the wings while his physical presence on set-pieces makes him a force to reckon with.

He is the all-round midfield player Mourinho craves in his lineup and, having played every game so far, his fitness is also what makes his season so impressive and memorable.