As the Premier League season gradually approaches its climax, discussions about potential award winners are gaining momentum. Among the many names being thrown around for the season's player and young player of the year, former Manchester United player Alan Smith has shared his top picks.
Smith has identified two standout candidates who have shown exceptional talent and promise throughout this season. These players come from teams that have been performing remarkably well this year, including runaway leaders Liverpool as well as Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth.
Alan Smith, Manchester United legend, said:
"I think for a young player, Morgan Rodgers at Aston Villa has been amazing, he might not be most people’s outstanding candidate",
"Curtis Jones has also done incredibly well at Liverpool, how he has developed and become one of the mainstays of that team. Looking at it now, he got into the England squad and did really well there, too."
Contenders for Player of The Season
Switching focus to Premier League table leaders Liverpool, Smith predicts a tight race for the main award between two star performers from Anfield. Liverpool's dominance in this season is undeniable, making it no surprise that some of their key players are leading contenders for this prestigious accolade.
Alan Smith added:
"I would say a Virgil Van Dijk or a Mohamed Salah, realistically, one of those two you’re looking at for Player of the Year if Liverpool goes on to win it. Van Dijk has probably been as good this year as I have ever seen him. Salah and his goal ratio has been incredible again. Another one that you would look at is Alexander Isak to be in the player of the year melee.
"I think Dejan Kulusevski at Tottenham is one of the most underrated players in the Premier League, and I look at him and think he is phenomenal at times when I have watched him, and been really good. When Spurs have all their players fit, they can beat anyone on their day, but that has just been Tottenham ever since I started watching football."
The Premier League never fails to produce a thrilling competition both on and off the field. As we approach its final stages, fans eagerly await to see which players will take home these coveted awards. While Alan Smith's picks provide an interesting perspective based on his experience and understanding of football dynamics at play here; ultimately it will be up to individual performances in these last few games that will determine who walks away with these honors.
