The Five Frontrunners Battling to Claim Premier League Player of the Season Glory—Ranked

Time is running out as the 2025–26 Premier League season edges toward a thrilling finish.

Plenty remains undecided before the final round of fixtures in May, including who will be crowned champions at the end of an intensely competitive title race. History indicates that the destination of the trophy could have a significant bearing on who receives the Premier League Player of the Season award.

The Player of the Season accolade has been awarded since the 1994–95 season and has typically gone to a player from the title-winning side. That said, exceptions have occurred on several occasions over the past decade.

So, who stands a chance of claiming this season's individual honor? Here is Sports Illustrated's breakdown of the top contenders.

5. Gabriel (Arsenal)

If Arsenal go on to claim the Premier League title, their resolute defensive setup will deserve much of the credit. What the Gunners have lacked in creative spark, they have compensated for with exceptional organization and a rock-solid backline, with Gabriel standing out as its finest component.

Not only has the Brazilian anchored the best defense in the league—currently leading in goals conceded and clean sheets—he has also been a dominant force at attacking set pieces, a cornerstone of Arsenal's offensive approach this season.

The commanding center back has contributed three goals and four assists in the Premier League this term, delivering decisive moments at both ends of the field to help drive Arsenal up the standings.

Defenders rarely claim the Player of the Season prize, with Rúben Dias and Virgil van Dijk among just five previous winners from that position, and Gabriel's chances rest almost entirely on Arsenal lifting the title.

4. Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City)

Antoine Semenyo has put together a remarkable season spanning two clubs. Bournemouth benefited greatly from his contributions in the first half of the campaign, during which he netted 10 goals for the Cherries, before Manchester City snapped him up in January in a high-profile transfer.

Much like fellow January signing Marc Guéhi, the 26-year-old has proven to be a game-changing addition as City fought their way back into title contention. Semenyo has hit the ground running in the north, quickly establishing himself as a regular starter under Pep Guardiola.

Semenyo may not carry the same star power as some other Player of the Season contenders, but the dynamic forward would be a deserving recipient following an outstanding personal campaign.

The challenge for Semenyo is that City would likely need to win the title for votes to swing his way, and one of his teammates appears better positioned to claim the award in that scenario.

3. Erling Haaland (Manchester City)

That teammate is Erling Haaland. The Norwegian striker has produced yet another sensational goalscoring season, firing on all cylinders from the very start. Currently topping the league's scoring charts, it would be hard to argue against the imposing City forward taking home the award.

Haaland previously won the prize in 2022–23 as City completed the treble, becoming the first player in Premier League history to win both the Young Player of the Season and Player of the Season awards in the same campaign. While his numbers haven't been quite as jaw-dropping this time around, they remain deeply impressive.

City would be far from the title picture without Haaland's relentless goal output, and a third Golden Boot appears likely by the season's end—something that will only strengthen his case for Player of the Season.

Should City win the title, Haaland looks their most probable candidate for the award.

2. Declan Rice (Arsenal)

Declan Rice has been widely considered a Player of the Season frontrunner for some time. The midfielder has served as the driving force behind Arsenal's impressive campaign with his energetic and tireless displays, accumulating a solid number of goal contributions along the way. He has been the club's standout and most dependable performer.

While there is sometimes a clear frontrunner for the award—as was the case with Mohamed Salah last season—the race is far more competitive this term. That could work in Rice's favor, as his well-rounded contributions in the middle of the park are unlikely to be overlooked in favor of a flashier goalscorer.

Rice has outshone his teammates for much of the season, including high-profile names like Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard, and appears to be Arsenal's strongest contender for the award.

No Arsenal player has won the prize since Thierry Henry exactly 20 years ago, but Rice is well-positioned to follow in the legendary Frenchman's footsteps—provided Arsenal secure the title. Should the Gunners fall short, Rice's chances could suffer as a result.

1. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)

Just 11 previous Player of the Season winners have come from clubs that did not win the Premier League title. Bruno Fernandes could become the 12th this season, as his extraordinary output makes him virtually impossible to ignore.

Manchester United struggled during the opening half of the campaign, but Michael Carrick's arrival has transformed the atmosphere—and, crucially, the results. Fernandes's role as a No.10 has enabled him to produce some remarkable statistics.

The Portuguese playmaker has registered 18 assists for his teammates, just two short of the Premier League record jointly held by Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. Having also contributed eight goals during a turbulent season for Man Utd, while leading the league in chances and big chances created, he has been the standout individual performer in the division this term.

History works against Fernandes given United's lack of collective success, but this could be the season that trend is broken for the club's captain.