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PFA announce Players’ Player of the Year shortlist – three Arsenal stars feature on six-man list, including Declan Rice and David Raya
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Updated 05/06/2026 at 10:45 GMT+1
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David Raya, Declan Rice, Gabriel, Rayan Cherki, Erling Haaland and Bruno Fernandes are on the shortlist to be named the PFA Players’ Player of the Year.
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Premier League title winners Arsenal are represented by three players, with Rice amongst the favourites to win the award.
He faces stiff competition from Manchester United's Fernandes, who broke the record for most assists in a Premier League season with 21.
The Portugal international could win a third individual award of the season, having already been named the Premier League's Player of the Season and the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year.
Arsenal goalkeeper Raya and centre-back Gabriel have been nominated after playing key roles for The Gunners.
Raya kept 19 clean sheets - more than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League - in 2025/26, helped by Gabriel's defensive work in front of him.
Haaland, meanwhile, could win the award for the second time, after he was recognised in 2022/23.
The Manchester City striker scored a remarkable 36 Premier League goals that season, so his return of 27 in 2025/26 is not quite as impressive.
But he has secured a third Premier League Golden Boot in four seasons, and his goals helped City maintain a title challenge until the final week of the season.
Haaland's team-mate Cherki has also been included in the shortlist after an eye-catching first season in England following his move from Lyon.
The 22-year-old scored four goals and provided 12 assists in 33 league appearances.
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Mohamed Salah currently holds the record for the most PFA Players' Player of the Year awards with three.
His most recent came last year, after he scored 29 league goals to fire Liverpool to the title.
City's Phil Foden won the award in 2023/24, having netted 19 times for Pep Guardiola's champions.
Several players have been crowned PFA Players' Player of the Year twice: Kevin De Bruyne, Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry, Alan Shearer and Mark Hughes.
Dowman and Ngumoha shortlisted for PFA Young Player of the Year
Arsenal teenager Max Dowman is amongst the nominees for the PFA Young Player of the Year award.
The 16-year-old only made six Premier League appearances in 2025/26 but made a significant impact nonetheless, memorably scoring in a crucial win over Everton.
Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha is also on the shortlist having impressed largely as a substitute under Arne Slot.
The 17-year-old made 19 appearances (14 from the bench), scoring twice and getting one assist.
Man City's Nico O'Reilly makes the list after an excellent season at left-back under Guardiola, while Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is also included after re-establishing himself as a key player under Michael Carrick.
Cherki could take two awards if he wins both the Players' Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year, and Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi, 19, is a real contender after scoring 13 goals in his debut Premier League season.
Shaw and Russo on Women’s PFA Players’ Player of the Year shortlist
Man City's Bunny Shaw will hope to win the Women's PFA Players' Player of the Year award for the second time after being nominated for 2025/26.
The striker was the Women's Super League's leading scorer with 21 goals in 22 games, helping City to a first title in a decade.
Alessia Russo, who got 13 goals and six assists for Arsenal, is also a strong contender, while Lauren James could win the award for the first time - though she only managed 14 appearances for Chelsea.
Aston Villa forward Kirsty Hanson has been nominated after netting 12 times for a side that struggled, finishing ninth with just five wins.
Manchester United's Jess Park and City midfielder Yui Hasegawa are also on the shortlist.
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