Two Manchester City players feature as Premier League announces nominees for Player Of The Year

Erling Haaland, the Manchester City striker, might be crowned Premier League player of the season for the second straight year. The 23-year-old Norwegian international has been shortlisted for the accolade, alongside City teammate Phil Foden.

Arsenal midfielders Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, Chelsea attacker Cole Palmer, Newcastle forward Alexander Isak, Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins, and Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk wrap up the shortlist. The winner, determined by votes from the public and an English Premier League panel, is expected to be announced on May 18th.

Pep Guardiola, a four-time winner of the manager of the season title, has been nominated again, along with  Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp, Villa's Unai Emery, Arsenal's Mikel Arteta, and Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola.

Last year, Haaland became the very first player to win both the player of the season and the young player honours after netting 36 goals across 35 league games. He has 25 goals this season as City seeks an unprecedented fourth consecutive title. Cristiano Ronaldo, a former Manchester United striker, is the only player to have won the award in two consecutive seasons, 2006-07 and 2007-08.

This month, the Football Writers' Association selected England forward Foden footballer of the year. He has 16 league strikes and eight assists so far this season. A City player has taken home the accolade in each of the last four campaigns, with Haaland succeeding Kevin de Bruyne during 2019-20 and 2021-22, and Ruben Dias during 2020-21.

Taking look at the other candidates for the Player of the season award

Odegaard and Rice proved to be instrumental in Arsenal's quest for their first trophy in 20 years. Martin Odegaard of Norway had eight goals and eight assists, whereas England's Rice has nine goals and seven assists during his first season after coming from West Ham.

Palmer, who moved Chelsea from City in September, boasts 21 goals and nine assists, whereas Sweden's Isak has 20 goals and one assist. England's Watkins has 19 goals and 12 assists this season, while Van Dijk, who claimed the award in 2018-19, has led Liverpool to victory in the Carabao Cup.