Top 5 candidates for the 2014/15 PFA Young Player of the Year award

The Professional Footballers Association comes together every year to honour the best player and the best young player in England. The best Young Player of the Year award is given to players of age 23 and under at the start of the season. This gong for the best Young Player can be very important in a player’s career and is often indicative of their future potential.Past winners of the award include Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Cesc Fabregas and Gareth Bale. Among recent winners, Ronaldo and Bale held both the PFA Young Player of the Year and the Player of the Year awards at the same time. The current holder of this award is Eden Hazard. Here's a look at the top 5 contenders who stand a chance to be feted for their accomplishments this year: Note: Players who were 23 or younger at the beginning of the 2014/15 season are eligible for the award

#1 Harry Kane

Harry Kane is the name that is on everyone's lips. The player who was little known before this season has become an integral part of the Tottenham Hotspur squad, so much that he captained them in their last outing against Burnley.

Kane only became a regular starter in November after his explosive goalscoring feats in the Europa league. The manager was immediately rewarded for his faith as the striker haunted defenses, almost singlehandedly keeping Tottenham in the charge for European qualification.

His 19 goals from 21 starts not only put him atop the Premier League goalscoring charts, but also earned him a call-up to the England national team where he continued his fine form by scoring a mere 19 seconds into his debut.

#2 Eden Hazard

It is hard to believe that Eden Hazard is still eligible for this award. He's been around for so long that it is easy to forget that he's only 24 which is a testament to his quality as a footballer.

Eden Hazard turned 24 in January, and this is the last year he is eligible for the Young Player Of The Year award. This should all the other young talents in the Premier League breathe a sigh of relief as they will no longer have to compete with a colossus like him for this award.

Hazard is a favourite to win the Player Of The Year and may scoop the Young Player Of The Year as well. His contributions have put Chelsea in a comfortable position in the league which should ensure their first league title since 2010.

The Belgian has scored 12 goals and supplied 7 assists this season. His consistent performances for Chelsea were rewarded with a 5-year contract which he signed earlier this year.

#3 David de Gea

Never has a goalkeeper had as big an influence on a team’s fortunes as David de Gea has had for Manchester United this season. His heroics in goal have ensured that Louis van Gaal's United are still in the running for at least a fourth-placed (or possibly higher) finish in the Premier League.

Protected by a disjointed defense on most occasions this season, he has transcended his own abilities as a keeper. His positioning is among the best in the world while his anticipation and reflexes aren't far behind the best.

His inspired performances have begun to attract attention, most notably from Real Madrid and Spain, both teams that have the legendary Iker Casillas in goal. Casillas may no longer be the best in the world, but he is an institution and to replace someone like him there is a certain aspect of awe that must be elicited and De Gea seems to be generating a lot of that at the moment.

To give an idea of the magnitude of his performances and the decrepit nature of the defense he has to work with, he was adjudged Man of the Match against Liverpool in December, when United won 3-0. A first of its kind for a goalkeeper in what was technically a 3 goal rout.

#4 Raheem Sterling

Things may not be as rosy as they were last season and his relationship with the fans might have been strained beyond repair, but he still remains an exceptional player and has proven that again with his performances this year.

With the departure of Suarez, introduction of all the new players and the injury suffered by Daniel Sturridge, the onus of carrying the team forward fell on the young shoulders of Sterling, who did an exceptional job of it till recently when Liverpool's Champions League aspirations were dashed.

Sterling has 6 goals and 7 assists to his name this season which could easily have been more had there been some consistency in his role and presence of the same teammates regularly. The fact that he has been used in a variety of roles, including wing-back, despite his best position already being known, could be one of the primary reasons.

The Englishman has had to endure a tough season so far, but unlike his more illustrious teammates, he has done admirably and should be a top contender for this award.

#5 Christian Eriksen

Before all the commotion surrounding Harry Kane started, it was another prodigious young talent that was navigating Tottenham out of difficult paths this season - Christian Eriksen.

Eriksen is a player that almost every big club had scouted before his move to Tottenham. Bigger clubs did not pursue their interest as they feared that he wouldn't be able to replicate his feats outside of the Dutch league.

His performances this season should fill those who doubted him with regret as he has been excellent beyond par, shouldering most of the responsibility for Tottenham's performances going forward.

The Dane, primarily a playmaker, has also delighted in his ability find the back of the net at crucial junctures. He has already netted 9 goals this season and one can expect many more before the season draws to a close.