We are approaching the business end of the 2019/2020 Premier League season. While Liverpool are running away in the Premier League title race, the battle for the UEFA Champions League spots is well and truly on, with the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Tottenham Hotspur, all in the mix.
The English league is blessed with some incredible players all across the park and to recognize the consistency of such players during the course of a Premier League season, the PFA Player of the Year is awarded to the best individual performer in England's top-flight every year.
In this article, we are going to take a look at some of the best performers in the 28th edition of the Premier League, who are also, quite obviously, in contention for the PFA Player of the Year this season.
#5 Jordan Henderson
Liverpool's captain, Jordan Henderson, is having arguably the best season in his career as the 29-year-old has been one of the most consistent performers for Jurgen Klopp's team.
The Englishman has shown his versatility at the heart of the Liverpool midfield, playing in almost every position in a midfield three - ranging from a No.8 to a deep-lying playmaker. He has not only been brilliant in helping out his defence this season, but the Liverpool skipper has also improved his passing range quite a bit.
The 29-year-old has played some of his signature quarterback passes from midfield to the forwards, that have now become a regular feature in the Reds' attack. In terms of stats, he has scored three goals in the Premier League this season, to go along with five assists. Defensively, Henderson has won 67% of his tackles, with 17 clearances, and 24 interceptions.
#4 Jamie Vardy
Under Brendan Rodgers, Leicester City are having an incredible season in the Premier League. Against all the odds, they currently find themselves third in the Premier League table, five points clear of fourth-placed Chelsea.
One of the biggest reasons behind the Foxes' success this season has been the goals scored by their talisman - Jamie Vardy. Even though the Englishman hasn't scored in his last nine games in all competitions, he currently sits on top of the goalscoring charts this season alongside Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with 17.
Leicester City hasn't had the best of months in January and February and if they are to guarantee Champions League football next season, Vardy's return to form is a must.
#3 Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of those modern-day full-backs who absolutely love to attack. He is one of the best in the world when it comes to attacking from the right-hand side for Liverpool.
We are in March and the 21-year-old has already equaled his own record for most assists (12) by a defender in a Premier League season.
At such a young age, the Englishman seems to have the football acumen of a fantastic creator and to add to that, he has the technical ability that even a midfielder would be proud of. Some have even compared the quality of his delivery to a certain David Beckham, who is regarded as one of the best crossers to ever step foot in football.
The consistency we have seen from Alexander-Arnold certainly makes him a contender for the PFA Player of the Year and if he continues on this record-breaking path, he might climb up this list very quickly.
#2 Virgil Van Dijk
After having the season of his dreams in 2018/19, Virgil Van Dijk had the tough task of maintaining his good form throughout this campaign as well. So far, after seeing his exploits this season, one can safely say that the Dutchman has indeed performed in a way everyone expected him to.
Liverpool currently lead the clean sheets chart in the Premier League this season with 12 and some of the credit for that has to go to Van Dijk, who is a vital cog in Liverpool's rearguard. The 27-year-old has won 55% of his tackles and an incredible 75% of his duels, to go along with 133 clearances and 30 interceptions. He has also scored a total of four goals for the Reds and the Dutchman has been a constant threat from corners and set-pieces.
Van Dijk is Liverpool's backbone and his consistent performances this season mean that he might become only the third player in Premier League history to win back to back PFA Player of the Year awards.
#1 Kevin de Bruyne
There is little debate with regard to the fact that Kevin de Bruyne is arguably the best midfielder in the world right now. Just take a look at the numbers he is producing this season.
For a midfielder - who plays predominantly as a No.8 - to produce the number of goal contributions he has done is absolutely incredible. The 28-year-old in the Premier League this season has scored eight goals, to go along with 16 assists (four less than the Premier League all-time assists record in a single season, currently held by Thierry Henry).
At the heart of the Manchester City midfield, the Belgian international is doing things that will be remembered for a long time to come. His consistency this season has been incredible to watch and right now, he leads the race for the PFA Player of the Year by a mile.