Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice will battle Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes for the 2025/26 PFA Player of the Year as the final shortlist is released.
Rice alongside his teammates overthrown Manchester City to lift the Premier League trophy and they’ve been rewarded for their achievement. Aside the England international, Gabriel Magalhaes and David Raya were also nominated for the award.
Despite not being able to retain their title, Manchester City duo of Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki were also nominated.
Rice would be hoping to win the award following Arsenal’s’ Premier League title success.
However, United’s Fernandes is looking to scoop a third major honour having already been crowned the Premier League’s player of the season and the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year.
Bruno Fernandes receives the Playmaker of the season award. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
The Portuguese individual campaign was truly sensational as he broke Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne’s assist record by setting up 21 goals, on the way to helping Manchester United finish third and secure Champions League qualification.
Meanwhile, Rice had 11 goal contributions all through the season.
Gabriel and Raya also enjoyed extremely successful campaigns with the duo integral to Arsenal winning their first league title in over 20 years. The only blemish on their seasons was defeats in the Champions League and Carabao Cup finals.
Declan Rice holds the Premier League trophy as Arsenal players celebrate. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Man City won the latter trophy by beating Arsenal and they also claimed FA Cup with Haaland scoring 38 goals in all competitions.
Signed for just £30million from Lyon, Cherki took the Premier League by storm in his debut season. He contributed to 25 goals from 52 appearances but it was his freedom on the pitch and style of play that put him above the rest.
With the Gunners’ Premier League title success confirmed, Rice appears to be the player leading the way with Fernandes’ two other accolades coming before the end of the season.
Men’s PFA Player’s Player of the Year shortlist:
Declan Rice
Gabriel Magalhaes
David Raya
Bruno Fernandes
Erling Haaland
Rayan Cherki
