The Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year award is determined not by managers or media, but by players themselves — making it one of the most respected individual honours in English football. As the 2025/26 campaign nears its conclusion, a clear group of ten contenders has separated itself from the rest through sustained brilliance and statistical output.
Leading the field is Arsenal centre-back Gabriel Magalhães, whose influence at both ends of the pitch has made him the frontrunner heading into the final fixtures. The Brazilian has been the most dominant defensive presence in the division this season, anchoring what has been one of the tightest backlines in the league.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes occupies third place in the rankings but presents perhaps the most compelling statistical case of any candidate. The Portuguese midfielder has registered eight goals and 17 assists in the Premier League, creating more big chances than any other player in the division. He is approaching the all-time Premier League assist record of 20, set by Thierry Henry, with several matches still remaining — a milestone that could prove decisive in the vote.
Arsenal’s Declan Rice is positioned second among the contenders. The England international has recorded four goals and five assists while maintaining a passing accuracy of 88 per cent. Rice has now surpassed 100 appearances for the Gunners and is consistently cited by fellow professionals as the most difficult midfield opponent to play against. His ability to shield the defence while contributing in the final third reflects the complete midfield profile that peer-voted awards tend to reward.
Another Arsenal figure features prominently: goalkeeper David Raya ranks fifth in the standings. Raya currently leads the league with 15 clean sheets and has produced several match-winning interventions across the campaign. His ability to play out from the back has also been central to how Arsenal build attacks from deep.
William Saliba, Raya’s defensive partner at Arsenal, comes in seventh. The French centre-back has contributed to those same 15 clean sheets and continues to draw recognition for his composure in one-on-one situations and his capacity to defend without accumulating fouls.
From Manchester City, three players feature in the top ten. Erling Haaland, ranked sixth, has scored 22 Premier League goals this season and continues to lead the Golden Boot standings — though Igor Thiago of Brentford, ranked ninth with 21 league goals, has closed the gap considerably. Thiago’s output for a club outside the traditional top six has drawn widespread admiration within the game.
Rayan Cherki, who joined Manchester City from Lyon in the summer transfer window, ranks eighth after contributing 10 assists and three goals since his arrival. The French forward’s creativity and dribbling ability have added a new dimension to City’s attack. Antoine Semenyo, who moved to the Etihad Stadium in January, ranks fourth after registering 15 goals and four assists in the Premier League. His pace and positional versatility across the front line have made him a key tactical component for his side.
Completing the list at tenth is Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai. The Hungarian midfielder has recorded five goals and three assists in the league, with his long-range shooting and set-piece delivery continuing to make him a consistent threat from midfield.
The PFA award has historically favoured players who combine individual excellence with tangible team impact. Arsenal’s presence across multiple positions in the top ten reflects the club’s challenge for major honours this season, while Fernandes’s creative statistics give him a strong case despite United’s inconsistency elsewhere. The award winner is expected to be announced before the end of the season.
