Haaland, Palmer, nominated for EPL’s best player award, Saka left out

Van Dijk is the only defender on the shortlist, while no goalkeeper was nominated.

Victor Olorunfemi • May 9, 2024

PLAYERS NOMINATED FOR BEST PLAYER AWARD(skysports)

Manchester City duo Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, and Arsenal duo Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice have been named in the eight-man shortlist for the EA Sports Player of the Season for the 2023/24 Premier League campaign.

Others on the shortlist include Chelsea youngster Cole Palmer, Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins, Newcastle United star Alexander Isak, and Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk. Van Dijk is the only defender on the shortlist, while no goalkeeper was nominated.

Haaland has continued with his fine form since joining City in the 2022/23 season and has netted 24 league goals this season to lead the race for the Castrol Golden Boot with four clear of Palmer, who has had a fantastic debut at Stamford Bridge since joining from City.

Palmer has already become the only the third player in history to reach 30+ goal involvements in a PL season while aged 21 or younger, after Robbie Fowler and Chris Sutton. He has also matched Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard’s record as Chelsea player, scoring 16 home league goals in a season.

Meanwhile, Odegaard and Rice have played a huge role for Arsenal this season as the Gunners continue their pursuit of the Premier League title after 21 years. Both players, who are the heart of Arsenal’s midfield, have contributed a combined 31 goals.

Having scored 19 goals so far this season without any penalty kick, Watkins is in the race for the Premier League Golden Boot, sitting fourth in the pecking order, while helping Aston Villa push for Champions League football next season.

With his 21 goal contributions in 27 games, it is not surprising that Isak is in the race for the Premier League player of the season. His minutes-per-goal rate of 101.3 is second behind Haaland’s rate of 91.8.

Meanwhile, the winner of the 2018/19 award, Van Dijk, earned a spot in this season’s nomination. He has made the third-most passes this season, won 186 duels so far (second-most in the league), and been dribbled past only twice all season.

For the manager of the season, Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, Aston Villa’s Unai Emery, Man City’s Pep Guardiola, Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola and Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp, have all earned nominations for the award.

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