5 potential contenders for this season's PFA Young Player of the Year award

The PFA Young Player of the Year award has been presented since the 1973-74 season. It is an annual award given to the best U-23 player in the Premier League. The winner is selected by a vote amongst the members of the Professional Footballers Association, the players trade union.

The PFA young player of the year for the last two seasons has been Spurs sensation, Dele Alli, who could be a candidate and win a hattrick of awards if he picks up a bit of form late in the season.

Here we take a look at 5 other possible contenders for this season's PFA Young Player of the Year:

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#5 Joe Gomez (Liverpool)

Joe Gomez has been solid at the back for the Reds

The 20-year-old has had a stellar first full season at Anfield. The young defender began his career at Charlton Athletic in 2014, at the age of 17, and was part of England's U-17 Euro triumph in the same year.

Liverpool signed the player in 2015 and Gomez immediately broke into Brendan Rogers squad before sustaining a season-ending ACL injury.

Gomez returned in early 2017 and has since cemented his place in the team this season under Jurgen Klopp. The defender has been part of the team that kept 8 out of 13 clean sheets in the league and earned himself a national team call-up.

A robust, quick, and powerful player, the 20-year-old may develop into one of the best defenders in the world. Gomez could well claim the PFA Young Player of the year award for his superb displays if he can help guide Liverpool to a top-four finish.

#4 Jordan Pickford (Everton)

Pickford has been a commanding force in Everton's goal

Pickford began his career at Sunderland and was signed by Everton at the start of the season. Blessed with good shot-stopping abilities and good distribution, coupled with consistent performances that include 7 clean-sheets so far this season, Pickford has cemented his place as Everton's number one. The young keeper has looked confident and steady between the sticks for his club.

Pickford is also a contender for the PFA Young Player of the Year award as he has quickly adapted to life at a new Premier League club and has looked in good form all throughout the season. The Toffees acquired his services for £30 million before the start of the season from Sunderland and is worth every penny, given his superb start to life at a new club.

A big powerful presence in the box, Pickford commands the area and has significantly improved since his last season in the Premier League. He has grown into a more commanding presence and has improved on his footwork, becoming an all-round goalkeeper.

#3 Wilfried Ndidi (Leicester City)

Ndidi has been a pivotal player for Leicester this season

21-year-old Nigerian midfielder, Wilfried Ndidi, has been sensational for Leicester City this season, starting every Premier League game. Ndidi was signed by the club in January 2017 and settled into the eleven quiet quickly but took a while to adapt to the pace of the English game.

However, this campaign, Ndidi has been a rock in Leicester's midfield, shielded the defence excellently. The Nigerian is also good while going forward, helping add numbers to the Leicester attack, and has four assists to his name. Leicester currently sit in 8th position on the Premier League table, and Ndidi will be a crucial player for the Foxes, not just for the remainder of the season, but also for the years to come.

The Nigerian has been instrumental in his club's campaign this season and could be a contender for the PFA Young Player of the Year. Notably, Ndidi is also part of a well rounded Nigerian squad headed to the World Cup - A side tipped to be dark horses in the early stages of the tournament.

#2 Leroy Sane (Manchester City)

Sane has been in flying form for Manchester City this season

Sane, since his arrival in England in 2016 from Schalke, has been nothing short of devastating. With a stunning turn of pace and fabulous dribbling and ball controlling abilities, Sane is easily one of the most creative attacking forces in the Premier League.

With 8 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. Gunning to be a member of the German contingent heading to the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Sane has surely secured his spot in the manager's plans with his amazing displays in the league for City.

With a cannon of a left foot, and inexplicably quick movement and footwork, he is undoubtedly a potent threat to any defender or team trying to mark him. Sane was highly praised by Pep Guardiola and has proven to be a brilliant signing for the club, and is set to become one of the most dangerous attacking players in the world.

#1 Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)

Manchester City's Raheem Sterling is a favourite to bag the award

23-year-old English international Raheem Sterling has had a brilliant season so far for Manchester City with 15 goals and 11 assists. With a spot secure in the English World Cup squad, Sterling will be keen to impress in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals against his former club Liverpool.

The Englishman signed for City from Liverpool in 2015 and will be eager to progress with City in Europe's elite club competition.

Sterling has been versatile for the club this season and has improved on his finishing significantly after getting into good spaces. He has been brilliant off the bench as well for City, proving to be clinical oncrucial occasions.

Raheem Sterling is a very promising attacking talent, vital to the club and looks unplayable at times with his dynamic style that adds to the overall fluidity of City's attack. A sure-shot contender for the PFA Player of the Year award this season, the Englishman could very well bag the award this year.