By Francis Onyach - Reporter
U.K, June 05, 2026 - The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Player of the Year race for the 2025/26 Premier League season is officially down to six standout nominees, with the winner set to be decided in August through a vote by fellow professional players.
The shortlist reflects a season dominated by elite individual performances across England’s top clubs, with attackers, midfielders, defenders, and even a goalkeeper all making the cut. The six confirmed nominees are Rayan Cherki, Bruno Fernandes, Erling Haaland, Gabriel Magalhães, David Raya, and Declan Rice.
According to early voting trends and season statistics, the race is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent years, with Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes and Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice emerging as leading contenders after exceptional campaigns.
Bruno Fernandes has delivered one of the most productive seasons of his career, playing a central role in Manchester United’s attacking structure under Michael Carrick.
The Portuguese midfielder has been widely praised for his creativity and consistency, with his chance creation and assist numbers among the best in the league. His influence has also helped United return to top-four contention after a difficult previous season.
Declan Rice, meanwhile, has been equally influential at Arsenal, anchoring midfield with a blend of defensive control and forward progression. His ability to dictate tempo, break up opposition attacks, and contribute in advanced areas has made him one of the most complete midfielders in the league. Arsenal’s strong title challenge has been heavily linked to his performances throughout the season.
Erling Haaland remains one of the most dangerous forwards in world football and once again finds himself among the nominees after another high-scoring campaign for Manchester City. Even in a season where City have faced stronger competition domestically, Haaland’s goal output has kept him in the conversation for top individual honours.
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Arsenal’s defensive strength is also reflected in the shortlist, with Gabriel Magalhães recognised for his commanding presence at the heart of defence. His aerial dominance, tackling, and consistency have helped Arsenal maintain one of the best defensive records in the league this season.
His teammate David Raya has also earned recognition after an outstanding campaign in goal. The Arsenal goalkeeper has been crucial in tight matches, producing key saves and maintaining defensive stability as the club challenged at the top end of the table. His inclusion highlights the growing influence of goalkeepers in individual awards voting.
Completing the shortlist is Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki, who has impressed with his creativity, flair, and ability to unlock defences. While not always a regular starter, his impact in decisive moments has made him one of the most exciting attacking talents in the league this season.
The PFA award is particularly significant because it is voted for by fellow professional players, meaning recognition comes directly from opponents and teammates who face these performers week in and week out. That makes the honour widely regarded as one of the most respected individual awards in football.
With voting set to conclude in August, the debate is already intensifying over who deserves to win. While Fernandes and Rice appear to be leading the race, the presence of Haaland, Gabriel, Raya, and Cherki ensures the outcome remains far from certain.
What is clear is that the 2025/26 season has produced a shortlist filled with influence, consistency, and match-winning quality across all areas of the pitch, setting the stage for a closely contested final decision.