The PFA Players’ Player of the Year award is the most prestigious individual accolade in the Premier League, a recognition as the league’s finest footballer from your fellow professionals.
Erling Haaland won the award last season after his record-breaking feats at Manchester City, with the Norwegian also recognised with the Football Writers’ Association gong.
This season appears to be an open race for the honour with no outstanding candidate to date, but which star names are in the running to win the PFA Player of the Year in 2023/24?
Using the latest odds from betting sites, we’ve ranked the five favourites to win the PFA Player of the Year award.
PFA Players’ Player of the Year
Trent Alexander-Arnold – Liverpool (10/1)
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s evolution from marauding right-back into inverting midfield playmaker has seen his influence shine at Liverpool this season.
The 25-year-old is the de facto dictator of Jurgen Klopp’s side, who currently lead the Premier League title race and remain in contention for four trophies this season.
Multiple trophies, in what will be Klopp’s final season in charge, could lead to Liverpool recognition, with only Manchester United (11) having had more winners of the PFA Player of the Year award than Liverpool (9).
Clinical, @TrentAA ???? pic.twitter.com/eZnTu89w9x
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 25, 2023
Alexander-Arnold could become the sixth player to win the PFA Player of the Year after previously claiming the PFA Young Player of the Year award, after Ryan Giggs, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.
He would be the first full-back (sort of) to win the award in the Premier League era.
Declan Rice – Arsenal (9/2)
Arsenal invested a club record £105m to sign Declan Rice from West Ham in the summer, with his arrival designed to take the Gunners to the next level. After a runners-up finish in the Premier League last season, Rice has reinforced the engine room of Mikel Arteta’s team.
The England international tops the Premier League for progressive passes and ranks highly for passes into the final third (2nd), progressive carrying distance (6th) and interceptions (6th).
Rice rises highest in the last-minute ????
???? @_DeclanRice pic.twitter.com/riknsG06gL
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 6, 2023
The record arrival has already delivered in big moments for the North Londoners, with late winners against Manchester United and Luton. More moments of similar importance will place Rice in the conversation for individual honours, should Arsenal end the season on top.
Mohamed Salah – Liverpool (4/1)
Mohamed Salah is aiming to make history this season as the first three-time winner of the PFA Player of the Year award.
Salah won PFA Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year doubles in 2017/18 and 2021/22, and is regarded as third-favourite to win a record-breaking hat-trick this season.
The Egyptian is the joint-leading scorer in the Premier League (14) and is also tied at the top for most assists (8). Liverpool will hope their talisman can return as soon as possible after picking up a hamstring injury at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Erling Haaland – Manchester City (11/4)
Erling Haaland could become only the fourth player to win back-to-back PFA awards in the Premier League era.
Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester City teammate Kevin De Bruyne have previously achieved that considerable feat and Haaland is second-favourite to follow suit. The Norwegian has scored 14 goals in 15 league appearances this season, a continuation of a record-breaking campaign that brought 52 goals in all competitions in 2022/23.
The 23-year-old has missed more than a month of action with a foot complaint but is closing in on a first-team return. With Haaland back in the side, Pep Guardiola’s men will be strong favourites to defend their Premier League title and win an unprecedented four-in-a-row.
Rodri – Manchester City (9/4)
Rodri has not always commanded the headlines of his teammates at Manchester City, but the Spanish midfielder is favourite to receive his flowers this season.
He won the FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball in December as the tournament’s best player, having also claimed the Champions League’s Player of the Year and UEFA Nations League Payer of the Tournament last season.
Scored in the 2022/23 final ➡️ scored on 2023/24 opening night
Rodri is different ????#UCL pic.twitter.com/X8euEc5TsQ
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 22, 2023
The 27-year-old’s importance can not be understated in Pep Guardiola’s team, with the Citizens unbeaten in almost a calendar year with their midfield metronome in the side. In his absence through suspension this season, City have lost all four games.
Read – Ranking the five favourites to sign Armando Broja
See more – Five Premier League players who could move before the deadline
