Top candidates for Premier League Player of the Year

#2. Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)

The final Manchester City player in the list and definitely the most influential one. Raheem Sterling has been the most improved player in the world since the arrival of Pep Guardiola. There is no attacking player more exciting than Sterling in the Premier League right now. Highly influential with his pace, technique, and finishing, Sterling is on course to top his haul of 23 goals and 17 assists last season.

Once awarded the Golden Boy in 2014, Sterling is now on track to win the Premier League Player of the Year if he continues to stay in form and guide City to another Premier League title but a certain Liverpool defender stands in his way.

#1. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

Bought for £75m in 2018, Virgil van Dijk seems to be an absolute bargain. He has barely put a foot wrong at the heart of the defence for Liverpool. The most consistent player for the Reds, Liverpool are an entirely different side when Van Dijk is in defence. He gives Liverpool a sense of security and also improves the performances of his defensive teammates, something that very few players are able to offer at the back.

No defender has won the Player of the Year in England since former Liverpool full-back Steve Nicol in 1989 and Van Dijk is on course to end that long wait. If Liverpool do manage to end their 29-year wait for the league title this season, no player will have made a bigger contribution than the Dutchman and would be regarded as one of the buys of the century.