5 frontrunners for the PFA Player of the Year award 2020-21

As the 2020-21 Premier League season draws to a close, it's time for fans and players turn their attention to the year-end individual awards.

The PFA Player of the Year (Men's) is an annual award given to the player who has had the best year in English Football. Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City was awarded the prestigious trophy in the 2019-20 season.

This year we have witnessed some brilliant individual performances from a host of players across the Premier League.

Five frontrunners for the PFA Player of the Year Award 2020-21:

Manchester City have almost certainly bagged this year's Premier League title, but when it comes to grading individual performances, things have been a lot more competitive this year.

We take a look at the five frontrunners to clinch the 2020-21 PFA Player of the Year award.

#5 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Mohamed Salah has scored at least 20 goals in three of the four seasons at Liverpool

Yes, a controversial pick. Not many would place Salah on their top-5 contenders' list for this year's award, but below are a few arguments to consider in his favour. Salah has reached the 20-goal landmark in three of his four seasons at Liverpool. And while the team has underperformed this time compared to previous years, Salah has delivered yet again.

The Pharaoh has been directly involved in 24 goals this Premier League season (including 4 assists) and his 0.61 goals-per-match ratio is currently higher than his previous two stellar seasons. Salah has also created 10 big goalscoring chances. With 104 shots fired at goal, it shows his ability to unlock opposition defenses and get into goalscoring positions.

But due to Liverpool's dismal performance this season, the 2018-19 PFA Player of the Year may miss out on this year's award.

#4 Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur)

Another player who might not be an obvious choice for the award, but a player who terrorizes defenses no matter where he plays.

Currently in his sixth season at Tottenham Hotspur, Son has managed to score at least 10 premier league goals in five of those seasons. This is remarkable consistency, especially for a player who is not an outright center forward. The South Korean has scored 17 goals this Premier League season, joint third with Bruno Fernandes, while also hitting the woodwork 5 times. As a team player Son has provided 10 assists and has created 14 big goalscoring chances.

His chances of winning the 2020-21 PFA Player of the Year award could be derailed by Tottenham's underpar performance this season as they continue to battle it out for the fourth position.

#3 Ruben Dias (Manchester City)

Ruben Dias in action against West Ham United

Much was being said about Manchester City's defensive woes over the past couple of seasons and how they never looked secure at the back even after spending millions of pounds on different players. Enter Ruben Dias. Manchester City acquired the services of Ruben Dias from Benfica in late September 2020, and he has quickly stamped his authority on the team and is certainly in the running for this season's PFA Player of the Year award.

The 23-year-old has played a vital role in City keeping 14 clean sheets in his 29 appearences. He tops the charts with a staggering 2,496 number of passes and his stellar work has meant City has concedes just 16 goals so far this season.

#2 Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)

Harry Kane has again shown his quality this season as a goal-scoring machine in a Tottenham Hotspur side that has been inconsistent all year.

With 21 goals (35% of Spurs total goals scored in the league this season) and 13 assists in 32 league appearances, Kane is within touching distance of clinching another Golden Boot award, a third to his name. He has a staggering goals-per-match ratio of 0.66 and has created 14 big goalscoring chances.

While the Manchester City players grabbed all the attention and headlines, Harry Kane has gone about his business yet again and has carried a Tottenham side shy of grit and steal to make a strong case for the PFA Player of the Year award.

#1 Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)

If there is one player who truly deserves an award for his individual brilliance and performance this campaign, it's Bruno Fernandes. Ever since joining Manchester United in the January transfer window in 2020, the Portuguese has been on fire.

In just 14 appearances in the 2019-20 Premier League season, Fernandes racked up 8 goals and 7 assists and has carried that form into this year.

With 16 goals so far this season, Bruno Fernandes sits third on the scoring charts along with Son Heung-Min, and second on the assists list with 11 to his name. With his ability to unlock any defense, Fernandes has created 19 big goalscoring chances and has taken 104 shots on goal.

His tally of 2,577 number of touches exemplifies his involvement and importance at Manchester United and his dexterity in the art of running a midfield.

Hence Bruno Fernandes is the top frontrunner in the chase to win the 2020-21 PFA Player of the Year award.

Edited by S Chowdhury