Who Is Leading The Odds For PFA Premier League Player of the Year?

 Photo:  By Eric The Fish from UK - DSC_4881, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=79472026

The 2024-25 Premier League is well into the second half, and the race for the title is heating up. Liverpool are setting the pace, as Arne Slot looks to deliver the Reds a second title in his first season in charge.

Arsenal remains their closest rivals, but inconsistent results are costing Mikel Arteta’s side. There are still important battles at the opposite end of the standings, as Southampton, Leicester, and Ipswich battle to avoid an automatic return to the Championship. Learn more about football odds here.

The individual honours will also be handed out once the season has concluded, but which stars are among the front runners to be named PFA Premier League Player of the Year?

Mohamed Salah

There’s no denying that Mohamed Salah is in a strong position to win the award for a third time.

The Egyptian superstar has been the standout player in Liverpool’s title charge this season, recording a staggering 34 goal involvements already. Salah has netted 21 goals and registered 13 assists in just 23 Premier League appearances.

The Liverpool star is averaging a goal every 97 minutes, and converting with 23% of his chances. Since the PFA Player of the Year award is typically handed to the star player of the champions, Salah looks to be the one to beat.

Cole Palmer

Chelsea’s Cole Palmer is currently the second choice in the betting after enjoying an excellent second season at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues number ten ranks among the leaders in terms of goals and assists, despite playing for a team that are battling to secure a Champions League finish. Palmer has netted 14 goals for Enzo Maresca’s side this term, and he has also recorded six assists.

Palmer is one of the most consistent passers in the Premier League, with his pass accuracy sitting at 82%. His importance to Chelsea could ultimately be the difference between the Blues securing a Champions League spot or missing out this term.

Gabriel

Arsenal’s title challenge this season has been built on their defensive structure, meaning that if they are able to topple Liverpool in the title race, it is likely that the PFA Award will be handed to one of their star defenders.

There has been little doubt that Gabriel has been the star in the backline for the Gunners this term, as he has been a mainstay in the starting eleven when fit and available.

The Brazilian has been part of the defensive line that has conceded the second-lowest tally of goals in the Premier League this term. The central defender has also been an important player in the opposing box, becoming a focal point from corners, which has been Arsenal’s best route to goal throughout the campaign. To this point, Gabriel has scored three in 22 Premier League appearances, and has added one assist for good measure.

Morgan Gibbs-White

Despite being among the outsiders in the betting, a strong case could be made that a Nottingham Forest player should pick up the PFA Award if the Tricky Trees are to finish in the Champions League spots.

An obvious case can be made for Chris Wood, but Morgan Gibbs-White has been the focal point in the team that has enabled them to sparkle throughout 2024-25. The Englishman has scored five goals and registered four assists in 20 Premier League outings this season, and his excellent performances have already been rewarded with a call-up and senior debut for the England national team.

Keeping those high levels between now and the end of next season will be his big challenge, as he could give himself an excellent chance to secure a spot on the plane to the 2026 World Cup.

Justin Kluivert

Proven performers in the Premier League are often overlooked in the race for the PFA Player of the Year, and that is telling when underperforming stars such as Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva are available at a shorter price than Bournemouth’s Justin Kluivert.

The Cherries are enjoying one of their best Premier League seasons in history this term, and they are well in the mix for a European battle. Bournemouth’s club-record unbeaten sequence may have recently ended, but the importance of Justin Kluivert was evident in huge wins against Nottingham Forest and Newcastle.

The Dutchman has already exceeded his goal involvements from last season, having registered eleven goals and four assists in just 23 matches. Such has been his influence on the team, the 25-year-old is already being reportedly linked with a big move away from the Vitality Stadium this summer.

Honourable Mentions

The shortlist isn’t big enough to include every top performing player in the Premier League this season. Therefore, it’s unlikely that surprise package Chris Wood will get acknowledged for his performances, while Dejan Kulusevski has also been a bright spark in a very dull campaign for Tottenham.

Bukayo Saka’s chances could also have been hit after a long-term injury, but the Gunners man was dynamite before picking up a setback late last year.