Premier League: 10 Contenders To Win PFA Player Of The Year Award
2. Robin Van Persie
As an Arsenal fan, it is difficult for me to admit that Robin Van Persie is in contention to win consecutive PFA Awards. Manchester United paid a large sum of money for a player entering the last year of his previous contract for a reason, and after his tremendous goalscoring exploits dragged a flagging Arsenal side upwards. Van Persie still had it all to prove competing for a club that was desperate to reclaim their title from their bitter rivals, and he didn't let his sizebale price tag hang heavy over his head. With twenty-one goals in the Premier League this campaign, Van Persie's early season form allowed United steal a march on City and build up the dominant points gap that they hold over the Eastlands club. A great first touch, accurate aim and a gifted left-foot to sweep in goals from any space on the pitch. Certainly, the form of the first two-thirds of the season would mean that Van Persie was virtually a shoo-in for the award around about February. However, recently his goalscoring form has dried up, either through exhaustion or a drop in motivation. I don't know if this is enough to put his chances at risk, as the title was virtually secured through his goals in the vital games. Van Persie has probably had one of the strongest individual influences on the season this year, and will lead United back to the glory that they missed out on last year. In my eyes he's one of the two leading candidates, and has the benefit of playing for the best team to back up his chances. Chances of winning: Very good, will certainly be in top three