Who’s been the best player in the Premier League this season?

THE Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Player of the Year award shortlist has just been announced.

These are the six players that their fellow pros will choose this season: Sergio Aguero, Virgil van Dijk, Eden Hazard, Bernardo Silva, Sadio Mane and Raheem Sterling.

You’ve got a pretty good futsal team there if one of them can be persuaded to go in goal.

Aguero is one of the best strikers ever to have played in the Premier League, he poses such a danger in the box and his intelligence runs makes life easy for midfield players. It’s hard to think of a team in the world that he wouldn’t get in.

His influence on Manchester City’s performances and results this season has not been as significant as that of some of his teammates though and so I don’t think he should end up as player of the year.

At the other end of the pitch, the influence of Virgil van Dijk on Liverpool has been utterly transformative.

He’s turned an indecisive defence into a potentially title-winning one, thanks to his commanding presence, composure on the ball and confidence under pressure.

He’s made all the players around him better and not just the defenders. Centre forwards rarely have an enjoyable time against him and he’s equally capable of initiating attacks with his incisive passing. As if all that wasn’t enough, he even pops up with a goal now and again.

When Liverpool paid £75mil (RM403mil) for him, the reaction was similar to that when you get the bill for a coffee at an airport. But unlike those coffees, Van Dijk seems worth every penny now.

I expect Van Dijk to be made captain for next season, a fitting reward for some absolutely outstanding performances.

Eden Hazard’s inclusion on the list is based largely on his early season form.

As Chelsea’s form dipped so too has Hazard’s but there are still many reasons why a club such as Real Madrid would pay huge money for him.

His importance to Chelsea will truly be revealed if he leaves. He’ll probably win player of the year at Chelsea but not the top gong.

Another Manchester City player in contention is Bernardo Silva and he’s been an absolute revelation this season.

He has a little bit of everything: excellent passing, vision, can put in a tackle, tactically disciplined, and he can score goals.

Last year, the PFA Player of the Year was Mo Salah, this year the Egyptian has been overshadowed by teammate Sadio Mane. When Salah had a goal drought it was Mane who stepped up for Liverpool.

He’s scored crucial goals and always works selflessly for the team.

But I think the award should go to Raheem Sterling.

Last summer at the World Cup he under performed as England over performed. He took a lot of stick for it. He’s also suffered some appalling racial abuse. Yet he’s dealt with it all so maturely and answered his critics on the pitch with some scintillating performances.

He’s become the hardest opponent to defend against in the Premier League. The combination of his pace and balance with the quality of delivery that he’s added to his game makes him a defender’s nightmare.

Sterling has developed into one of the best players in Europe, not just the Premier League. He’s the most exciting player to watch in the league right now and I think his peers know it.