Erling Haaland is favourite to be named PFA Player of the Year for the 2026/27 season but he could face stiff competition from team-mates and rivals alike.
Haaland’s Manchester City colleagues Rodri and Rayan Cherki are among his possible challengers, along with Arsenal duo Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka and Manchester United talisman Bruno Fernandes , who won a host of individual accolades for his performances last season.
Here we take a look at the leading candidates to win the top men’s prize at the 54th annual PFA Awards Ceremony next year.
PFA Player of the Year Favourites
Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland @ 11/2
Haaland has already won this award once, his Premier League peers voting the Norwegian as their leading player in the 2022/23 season , and he has been on the six-man shortlist in three of his four years since moving to England.
Haaland scored 27 Premier League goals last season , winning his third Golden Boot , and continued that form at the World Cup where he struck seven times in just five games . Overall the 26-year-old has netted 112 times in 132 league appearances for City and, if fit, is sure to be in contention for more individual awards this coming season.
Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes @ 6/1
Manchester United have not had a PFA Player of the Year winner since Wayne Rooney in 2010 but Fernandes could be the man to end that wait. The 31-year-old Portugal playmaker is second-favourite behind Haaland for 2026/27 and is also in the running to win last season’s award after a brilliant campaign.
He provided a Premier League-record 21 assists as well as scoring nine times , helping United finish third and earning the Red Devils captain a host of player of the year awards, including from the Premier League and Football Writers’ Association.
Rodri
Rodri @ 8/1
Rodri showed he is back to his metronomic best after injury by being named player of the tournament as Spain won their second World Cup title this summer.
The 30-year-old midfielder also won the Ballon d’Or in 2024 and looks sure to add many more accolades to his glittering CV before he calls it a day. Whether that will be as a City player remains to be seen though, with Barcelona and Real Madrid both having made attempts to take Rodri back to Spain.
Declan Rice
Declan Rice @ 8/1
Only four Arsenal players have ever been voted PFA Player of the Year - Liam Brady, Thierry Henry (2), Dennis Bergkamp and Robin van Persie - but the Gunners had three players in the running this year after winning their first Premier League title since 2004, with Rice, David Raya and Gabriel on the shortlist .
England international Rice was a key component in that success, and his never-say-die attitude, versatility and dead-ball expertise is likely to prove invaluable for boss Mikel Arteta again next term.
Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka @ 10/1
Saka will be desperate to show what he can do again in the upcoming season after a difficult 12 months for club and country on a personal level. Injuries limited his contribution to 25 starts, seven goals and five assists as Arsenal ended their long wait to win the Premier League and he also had a mixed time for England at the World Cup.
The 24-year-old only saw 357 minutes of action under Thomas Tuchel in North America but signed off with a hat-trick as England beat France to finish third.
Rayan Cherki
Rayan Cherki @ 12/1
Cherki enjoyed an impressive first year in England following last summer’s £30million move from Lyon , mesmerising fans and defenders alike with his flair, dribbling and ability with both feet.
The 22-year-old France forward scored 10 goals and provided 15 assists in 52 appearances for City, helping them win the FA Cup and League Cup in Pep Guardiola’s final season in charge. Cherki could yet win the 2025/26 PFA award but, with a year’s Premier League experience under his belt, he should be an even stronger contender next year.
Betting Tips
PFA Player of the Year Betting Tips
Simply click/tap on the above betting tips to add to your betslip.
Bet on Football Odds at BOYLE Sports
*Prices are subject to fluctuation
Remember, Always Gamble Responsibly
Not all opinions are equal. The BOYLE Sports Team is made up of experts who know the sports and betting world inside out, delivering the kind of insights and analysis that give you a real edge where it matters most.
