Who are Erling Haaland’s rivals for the PFA player of the year award?

E rling Haaland is the overwhelming favourite to win the PFA player of the year award. The 22-year-old has had an immediate impact, scoring 28 goals in the Premier League this season – more than seven of the 20 teams in the division. If he fires Manchester City to the title, he will be hard to overlook.

The Norway international has been consistent when presented with chances, with his shot conversion rate of 31.1% the best in the league. New signings – especially strikers – can take their time to adapt to the Premier League, but Haaland has excelled in his first campaign in English football. If he wins the PFA award, he would be the first player to be recognised by his peers in his debut season since Ruud van Nistelrooy won the award in 2001-02. Although, if City fail to win the league, a few other players will be hoping to pip Haaland.

Bukayo Saka is the only player to have reached double figures for both goals (12) and assists (10) in the league this season as he has gone from Starboy to Starman for Arsenal in their pursuit of a first title in 19 years. Saka impressed last season, scoring 11 goals for Arsenal, but he has taken his game to the next level.

The 21-year-old ranks sixth for key passes (61) and first for successful dribbles (46) in the league. Every Arsenal player is playing a part in their title pursuit but, if Mikel Arteta’s side go the distance, it would be hard to ignore the England international for the player of the year award.

The Arsenal captaincy has been something of a poisoned chalice in recent years, so when Martin Ødegaard was given the armband last summer, some fans may have feared the worst. Yet Ødegaard has been superb in midfield, scoring 10 goals to help fire Arsenal to the top of the