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The PFA Young Player of the Year is the seasonal award presented to the player aged 23 or under at the start of the season who is adjudged to have been the best in the English Premier League.
This is the individual trophy that every player coming through the youth ranks in the Premier League wants to get his hands on.
The current recipient of this title is Dele Alli, who won the award the previous two times for his phenomenal showing for Tottenham Hotspur. He is in contention for this year's award too, as he is remarkably still only 21.
Six players are selected as nominees for this prestigious trophy. Here we look at the most likely 10 candidates:
#10 Marcus Rashford (Manchester United, Age: 20)
Rashford has been breaking records ever since he made his debut as an 18-year-old. He scored twice in both his first-team debut in the UEFA Europa League and in his first Premier League match against Arsenal.
He also scored in his first UEFA Champions League match, his first League Cup match and in his first Manchester derby. All this instantly made him a fan favorite at Old Trafford.
He also finished third behind Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele in the Golden Boy award last season, for the best under-21 player in Europe.
He's not had the best of seasons but has still managed to chip in with six goals and five assists, a vast majority of those appearances coming off the bench.
The young forward has played as a left winger this season and he has had to trade positions with Anthony Martial, who also plays in the same position.
The arrival of Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal in January has done him no favors as it has further reduced the game time.
The young Englishman scored twice against arch-rivals Liverpool to remind fans of his big match capabilities.
Manchester United should ensure that they don't let one of their own slip away amidst the big stars that they try to keep buying.
#9 Emre Can (Liverpool, Age: 24)
No player in the Liverpool ranks divides opinions the way Can does. Signed from Bayer Leverkusen as a 20-year old, the German has grown to become one of the most valuable players in the midfield.
Though most of the accolades have been taken by the devastating front three, the German international has been an important player in linking the defense and attack.
Apart from helping hold the defensive shape at the base of the midfield, he starts attacks from the back and has also pitched in with three goals and four assists.
The 24-year old is a versatile player capable of fulfilling various roles in the midfield and this is probably the reason a set of the Kop don't rate him highly, as he gets moved around the pitch quite often.
His contract expires at the end of this season and with contract negotiations stalling, he has his eyes set on a move away from the club, with Juventus being touted as the likely destination.
Can will look to leave the club on a good note by securing a Champions League spot for next season and also to propel them to an unlikely challenge for the UCL this season.
#8 Joe Gomez (Liverpool)
The 20-year-old has had a stellar first full season at Anfield. The young defender was signed by Liverpool in 2015 and immediately broke into Brendan Rodgers' squad before sustaining a long-term ACL injury.
Gomez got back this season and has taken advantage of right-back Nathaniel Clyne's injury absence by cementing his place in the eleven, despite heavy competition from Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The versatile English defender has the ability to play across the back-line. Though he's predominantly played at right-back this season, experts feel his best position lies in the centre of the defence.
His positional awareness has provided Liverpool solidity in the second half of the season as they have conceded fewer goals.
Gomez made his debut for England in a Man-of-the-match display against Brazil in an international friendly shut down Neymar on the wing. A strong and clever player, the 20-year-old may develop into one of the best defenders in his country.
#7 Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, Age:21)
Ndidi has been ever-present in the Foxes' midfield
The 21-year-old midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, was signed by Leicester City in January 2017 to replace N'Golo Kante, who was the gem in Foxes' title-winning campaign.
After a slow start to life in the Premier League, the Nigerian has settled well into the team this season.
Ndidi has been a rock in Leicester's midfield, shielding the defense excellently and proving as an effective outlet going forward.
The young midfielder's excellent performances have caught the attention of the big boys, who might line up to prize him away at the end of the season.
#6 Ederson (Manchester City, Age: 24)
After a disappointing first season, Pep Guardiola realised that he had to build the side with players capable of adapting to his style as Claudio Bravo was a real disappointment in goal.
The Catalan genius wanted a goalkeeper who is comfortable with the ball at his feet and with an eye for starting attacks from the back.
Ederson was identified to be that man and he was signed from Benfica as the second most expensive goalkeeper ever.
The Brazilian has helped Manchester City maintain the best defensive record in the league this term, highlighted by the mere 21 goals that they have conceded this season.
He has also kept 14 clean sheets in the league, a number that is bettered only by David De Gea.
He has the ability to start attacks with effortless composure and has the eye to pick out teammates with exquisite passes that no keeper in the world, apart from Manuel Neuer, can even visualise.
Only the super-human performances from De Gea is stopping this man from being recognised as the best in the league.
#5 Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City, Age: 21)
Gabriel Jesus was signed from Brazilian club Palmeiras for a massive fee and immediately went about justifying the transfer fee and the trust placed in him by his manager Guardiola.
He got off to a blazing start for the Citizens as he ended his first season with seven goals and four assists in just 11 games.
Jesus went into the new season as Guardiola's first choice forward, with rumors that Aguero would leave the club.
The club record scorer stayed on but Jesus has still had enjoyed the manager's confidence and has piled on nine goals and three assists in an injury-ravaged season.
Guardiola favors Jesus over Aguero due to his all-round attacking play that is highlighted by his understanding with wingers Sterling and Sane.
Jesus can play a variety of roles as a forward as he can play as a centre-forward, second striker or even as a winger and this is due to the varied qualities that he possesses.
Provided he remains fit, Jesus will line up in the front three for Brazil in the World Cup, come Russia.
#4 Anthony Martial (Manchester United, Age: 22)
The winner of the 2015 Golden Boy award for the best under-21 player in Europe had thrilled Manchester United fans in his first season at the club.
However, he seemed to have lost his confidence under Jose Mourinho. After a forgettable second season at Manchester, Martial has gotten back to his best this season.
The Frenchman has been electrifying on the left wing and he's showing signs of the potential that he showed in his first season.
His lightning pace has provided something different to a Mourinho side that is devoid of pace and directness.
The 22-year old has contributed to nine goals and five assists in 26 appearances this season, a majority of which have come as a substitute.
He started the season on the bench and then came on to score crucial goals, like the lone goal that he scored against Spurs at Old Trafford. He has also scored a few delightful curlers from the left side of the pitch.
United fans will hope that Martial can continue his progress at United and can start to link up well with Sanchez.
#3 Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur, Age: 21)
Dele Alli was signed by Tottenham from MK Dons in the winter of 2015 and was sent back on loan to complete the season at his former club.
In his first season in the Premier League and with Spurs, he scored 10 goals and providing nine assists for his teammates.
In his second season, he bettered that mark by scoring 18 goals and providing seven assists in a remarkable campaign in which the Spurs finished runners-up.
He ended his first two seasons at the club as the PFA Young Player of the Year on both occasions.
At the start of the season, he was the odds-on favorite to complete a treble of trophies. However, inconsistent performances this season and the extraordinary performances from Manchester City's young midfielders have meant that Alli is unlikely to claim the trophy a third straight year.
Despite having a quiet season by his standards, Alli has scored eight and assisted a further nine goals. The attacking midfielder's chemistry with fellow attacking midfielders Son and Eriksen is a treat to watch and the trio together provide the ammunition for Harry Kane.
It's remarkable to think that the Englishman is still just 21 years old and at this young age he has the world at his feet.
He has scored 36 and assisted 25 in his first 100 games in the Premier League, records which would make even some of the most established players surprised.
Alli will be key to England’s slim World Cup hopes, as well as Tottenham’s ambitions to end their trophy drought by winning the FA Cup.
#2 Leroy Sane (Manchester City, Age: 22)
Leroy Sane, who was signed from Schalke in 2016 has put a slow start behind him to become one of the most creative attacking players in the Premier League.
He has been an important piece of the jigsaw in Manchester City's success as he is the player that provides them with width on the left flank, with City's injury problems at the left-back position.
His breathtaking pace, fabulous dribbling and ball control has left defenders terrified and gasping for breath. Under Guardiola's tutelage, Sane has gone on to become one of the most feared wingers in World football.
With nine goals and 11 assists to his name this season, the 22-year-old German is a definite contender for the PFA Young Player of the Year award and is one of the favorites to lift the title.
He is also likely to be named on the left wing position in the PFA Team of the Year. His performances over the course of the season have marked him out as one of the players to watch out in the talented German ranks at the World Cup this summer.
#1 Raheem Sterling (Manchester City, Age: 23)
Sterling had a tough start at Manchester City after his big-money move from Liverpool. However, he has blossomed into the complete winger this season under Guardiola with an improved decision making and end-product.
The City boss has molded this raw talent into a ruthless impact player up-front.
The 23-year-old English international Raheem Sterling has had a brilliant season so far for Manchester City with 16 goals and seven assists in the Premier League.
Sterling is a very promising attacking talent, as he has added a clinical finishing touch to his rapid pace.
His chemistry with his fellow City attackers has been a joy to walk and he adds to the overall fluidity of City's attack. He's also picked up the happy knack of being in the right place at the right times.
The 2014 Golden Boy winner is likely to be the front-runner for the PFA Player of the Year award this season.
