The list of nominees for the Premier League Player of the Season award has been released but with some notable absentees.
Arsenal duo Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice, and Man City’s Phil Foden and Erling Haaland make up half of the list, with the remaining nominees being Ollie Watkins, Alexander Isak, Cole Palmer and Virgil Van Dijk.
But some worthy contenders have been omitted from the list of nominations…
Rodri
The Manchester City midfielder has again been outstanding this season as his side look to secure a fourth Premier League title on the bounce and surely deserves to have made the list. His passing and ability to maintain possession is crucial to the way Pep Guardiola’s side play and he set the record for the highest number of consecutive games unbeaten in the Premier League earlier this season.
William Saliba
Saliba has been involved in 17 clean sheets for his Arsenal side in the Premier League this season and has been a big part of why his team have the best defensive record in the league. He has quickly become one of the best defenders in the world and has, however, been nominated for the young player award.
Mo Salah
The Egyptian has missed game time this season through a combination of international duty and injury but has still played 30 times, scoring 18 goals and notching ten assists. His form of late has dropped off but his earlier season form perhaps deserved recognition by being nominated.
Bukayo Saka
It has been another fine year for the 22-year-old, who has scored 16 goals and recorded nine assists in the Premier League and has been a huge part of Arsenal still being in the title race with the season almost over. His pace and directness is a problem for any defender in the world and he is up for the young player award despite his omission from this list.
Heung-Min Son
The Tottenham forward missed game time for the Asia Cup but has nonetheless played 32 times in the Premier League this season, scoring 17 goals and recording nine assists. He has looked below his best more recently but, like Salah, has been outstanding at times this season.
Gabriel
Arsena’s Gabriel started the season out of the team under boss Mikel Arteta but has not looked back since regaining his place in the side. Alongside William Saliba, he has been at the centre of the best defence in the league this season.
Dominic Solanke
The Bournemouth striker is averaging a goal every two games in the Premier League this season and has helped his side to comfortably steer clear of any relegation worries. A breakout season for the Englishman who will still have outside hopes of going to the Euros.
Jarrod Bowen
West Ham have had an underwhelming campaign but Bowen has been his usual brilliant self, scoring 16 Premier League goals in 33 games and looks a sure bet to go to the Euros with England, but not quite good enough to make the list of nominees for Premier League Player of the Season.
