The 2023-24 Premier League season is drawing to a close and the annual awards are due to be decided ahead of the closing fixtures on 19 May.
Eight of the division’s top stars have been nominated for the coveted Player of the Season prize but there are some notable absences from the list.
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One of Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, Martin Odegaard, Cole Palmer, Alexander Isak, Declan Rice, Virgil van Dijk and Ollie Watkins will be crowned after impressing for their sides but the reveal has left many fans on social media furious with the decision-making process.
Not everyone can be selected for the award although the numbers suggest there have been some obvious errors made by those with the power of selection.
We look at five Premier League players deserving of a spot on the Player of the Season shortlist.
Eight outstanding nominees, but there can only be one winner…
It’s time to vote for your 2023/24 @EASPORTSFC Player of the Season 😍 #PLAwards
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 9, 2024
📰 Table Of Contents
Bukayo Saka
Arsenal’s starboy is one goal away from matching his 17-goal haul from the 2022-23 campaign and although he has not been at his absolute best this term, he has played a massive part in mounting the club’s title challenge.
The 22-year-old has 25 goal contributions in 34 Premier League appearances and is the club’s top scorer.
After making the list last year, he has been replaced by Odegaard and Rice as Arsenal’s representatives in 2023-24.
His consistency and availability despite being on the end of several heavy challenges every match embodies the spirit and fight the Gunners have developed under Mikel Arteta and his absence as a nominee is undoubtedly harsh.
Rodri
Perhaps the most shocking absentee from the Player of the Season list is Man City midfielder Rodri.
No player in the competition has more passes or touches than the Spanish international and he remains unbeaten in every league match he has featured in this term.
On top of his solid defensive work for the champions, Rodri also has seven goals and nine assists under Pep Guardiola.
Should City win their fourth consecutive title, it will seem an odd omission considering his influence in the heart of midfield.
Rodri has the same number of defeats as Player of the Season nominations in the Premier League this season (0). 🤪
He’s the only player with:
◉ 20+ shots on target
◉ 20+ chances created
◉ 20+ aerial duels won
◉ 20+ take-ons completed
◉ 20+ tackles made
◉ 20+ interceptions… pic.twitter.com/Kj9MiPCIuN— Squawka (@Squawka) May 9, 2024
Dominic Solanke
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been nominated for the Manager of the Season award, but prolific goalscorer Dominic Solanke has missed out on a Player of the Season nomination.
The in-form Cherry has enjoyed his best campaign in front of goal, scoring 18 goals in 36 appearances and averaging a goal every 178 minutes.
An England call-up is not out of the question for the 26-year-old ahead of Euro 2024 but Harry Kane’s presence upfront will make it difficult for Solanke to get many minutes on the pitch for his country.
As the league’s fifth top scorer, he will feel aggrieved that his performances have not been given the recognition they deserved.
Mohamed Salah
Liverpool’s title challenge may have faltered but Mohamed Salah’s brilliance in the final third has not.
Despite his recent injury and slow road back to his best for the Merseyside club, he still has 18 goals and 10 assists in the Premier League.
He is one of three players to reach double figures for goals and assists in the top flight this season which is impressive considering he has not featured that much in 2024.
Salah is a two-time winner of the Player of the Season award but will not have the chance to earn a third in Jurgen Klopp’s last campaign as Reds boss.
Gabriel
Best tackle success rates in the Premier League this season (50+ attempted):
◎ 94% – Ezri Konsa
◎ 90.2% – Gabriel Magalhães
◎ 86.7% – Tyrick Mitchell
◎ 86.5% – Calvin Bassey
◎ 85.9% – Josh Brownhill pic.twitter.com/FKope8AxgB— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) May 9, 2024
Half of Arsenal’s squad could have been included on the Player of the Season shortlist but alongside Saka, defender Gabriel will probably feel disappointed not to have been included.
The Brazilian has been part of a defence that boasts the best record in the division – keeping 17 clean sheets and conceding just 28 goals.
Alongside William Saliba, he forms one-half of the most formidable defensive partnerships in the world and he has also popped up with four important goals for the Gunners.
He certainly gives Van Dijk a run for his money when it comes to discussing the best centre-backs this season.
