First is who I believe to be the front-runner for PFA player of the year and that is Arsenal front-man Robin Van Persie, the Dutchman has been in scintillating form this season, helping Arsenal to leapfrog local rivals Tottenham and begin to cement a top four place while they currently lay in third. The 28-year-old has carried on his form from the second half of this season and his return of 27 goals in 34 league appearances has also added to his tally of assists which currently stands at 10 which shows Van Persie has been pivotal in changing Arsenal's fortunes this season from the early season fiasco to hopefully grabbing another season in the Champions League.
Next up is a man who in his debut season hasn't just been nominated for player of the year but also young player of the year. Sergio Aguero took no time to settle into Man City after his £38 million move from Atletico Madrid and this was shown as in his debut he grabbed two goals and an assist after coming off the bench in a 4 - 0 romp over newly promoted Swansea, he then grabbed his first hat-trick just two games later against Wigan. He has been one of Man City's most consistent performers this season and as players like David Silva have began to tire of late, Aguero has still held firm in Man City's squad with 30 league appearances and 21 goals while also getting 7 assists under his belt. He has begun to help Man City re-mount their title charge with 7 goals in his last five games including a double in a 6 - 1 thrashing of Norwich.
Wayne Rooney has been at the forefront of Man United's bid to regain their Premiership crown and make it their record setting 20th league title. Rooney began the season at blistering pace scoring a hat-trick in the 8 - 2 demolition of Arsenal at Old Trafford and apart from the lull he entered over the winter months the former Everton striker has notched 24 goals in 30 games. The 26-year-old also showed his importance as the spearhead in the Man United team when he grabbed a brace in the stunning comeback against Chelsea which ended 3 - 3.
The only goalkeeper in either nomination category is Englishman Joe Hart, the 24-year-old has been an ever-present for City in the league this season and he has continued to go from strength to strength in his side's stuttering bid for the title. He is widely accepted as the best goalkeeper in the Premiership and also England's number one due to a series of commanding performances between the sticks for City and this has seen him keep 14 clean sheets which is the most in the Premiership. Hart is set to have a big summer ahead of him for England at Euro 2012.
Scott Parker was last year's Football Writers' player of the year and he has successfully replicated the form at West Ham which made his reputation grow but this season after a move across London to Tottenham he has formed an amazing partnership with Luka Modric in the heart of Spurs midfield and they have created what is probably the most feared midfield in the Premiership alongside the likes of Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon. While Redknapp's side look to have crumbled somewhat after losing the 12 point gap over Arsenal they originally held, Parker has been awarded with the England captaincy in the recent friendly against Holland due to his impressive performances in the heart of the Spurs midfield.
The final candidate for player of the year is David Silva, who started the season as the key man in Man City's midfield as they romped to 34 points in their opening 12 games. He has been a stand-out performer in the Man City midfield with his supreme play-making skills and while he has managed to amass 6 goals and 13 assists in 32 appearances it has also been his overall play which has impressed. Despite his dip in form after the turn of the year, which coincided with Man City's downturn in their Premiership title bid, he still remains a key player for Man City and their main threat from midfield.
After considering all the nominations I think that Robin Van Persie should win the player of the year. This has been backed up as he is clear bookies favourite to win the personal award and his form this season has been second to none as he has helped dragged Arsenal from the pits of obscurity to once again being one of the top teams in the country and well in the race for an automatic Champions League spot. The Arsenal captains goalscoring record since the turn of last year has been on par with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.Van Persie has been compared with the likes of the La Liga superstars and has been hailed by many as the best striker in the world.
Who do you think will win the PFA player of the year award?
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