Winning the Premier League Player of the Season isn't just about who kicked the ball into the net most often. If it were, Erling Haaland would have a shelf full of these trophies by now. Honestly, it's more of a weird popularity contest mixed with a "who meant the most to the champions" debate. You've got the stats, sure. But then you’ve got the narrative.
The 2024/25 season just wrapped up with Mohamed Salah taking the crown for the second time in his career. It felt inevitable. Salah didn't just play well; he basically dismantled the league, racking up 28 goals and 18 assists. He led the charts in both categories. People were calling him the "Egyptian King" again, and for good reason—he ended Manchester City’s five-year stranglehold on the award. Before him, City players like Phil Foden, Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Ruben Dias made the trophy feel like an Etihad heirloom.
How the Winner Actually Gets Picked
Most fans think they decide the winner. You don't. Well, you sort of do, but only about 10% of the vote comes from the public. It’s a bit of a democratic illusion. The real power lies with a panel of "football experts"—think former players and journalists—and the 20 club captains.
It’s a different beast than the PFA Players' Player of the Year, which is strictly a "respect from your peers" thing. The official Premier League version (sponsored by EA Sports) tries to balance cold, hard data with the general vibe of the season.
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The Mid-Season Favorites for 2025/26
Right now, as we sit in January 2026, the race for the next one is already getting messy. Arsenal is sitting six points clear at the top, which usually means a Gunner is the frontrunner.
- Declan Rice: He's the engine. Since Martin Zubimendi arrived to sit in that deeper role, Rice has been unleashed. He's got seven goal involvements already. His passing volume has jumped from 52.5 per 90 last season to 71.6 this year.
- Igor Thiago: The Brentford man is making history. He’s already bagged 16 goals, making him the highest-scoring Brazilian in a single Premier League season.
- Cole Palmer: Still the main man at Chelsea. Even when they're inconsistent, he's a "force of nature." If Chelsea finishes in the top four, he’s a massive threat to the big-name candidates.
- Erling Haaland: He’s always there. 12 goals in 11 games earlier this year. Even during a "slump," he's better than everyone else.
The Snubs That Still Burn
Every year, someone gets absolutely robbed. You look at the history and it’s baffling. Gianfranco Zola? Never won it. Claude Makelele? The man has a position named after him, but no Player of the Season trophy.
Luka Modric is probably the funniest one. During his 2011/12 season at Spurs—arguably his best in England—his own teammate Scott Parker was getting more flowers from the PFA. Modric went on to win a Ballon d'Or and five Champions Leagues. I think he's okay with the snub now, but it shows how short-sighted the voting can be in the moment.
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Then you have the defenders. Virgil van Dijk (2018/19) and Ruben Dias (2020/21) are the rare exceptions. Usually, you have to score 20 goals to even be considered. If you're a right-back like Jurrien Timber—who has been instrumental for Arsenal's 10 clean sheets this season—you're basically invisible to the voters unless you start assisting every weekend.
Why Narrative Beats Stats
Phil Foden won it in 2023/24 because he "carried the team on his back," according to Rodri. Stats-wise, he had 19 goals and 8 assists. Great numbers. But the reason he won wasn't just the goals; it was the fact that he stepped up when De Bruyne was injured.
The voters love a "redemption" or a "step-up" story.
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Take Mohamed Salah last season. He’s 32. People said he was finished. He responded by leading the league in goals and assists and winning the title for Liverpool with four games to spare. That's a narrative you can't ignore.
What to Look For Next
If you’re trying to predict who will win the Premier League Player of the Season for 2025/26, don't just look at the Golden Boot race. Look at the team that wins the league.
- Check the League Table: If Arsenal wins their first title in over 20 years, it’s almost certainly going to Declan Rice or Bukayo Saka.
- Monitor the "Big Game" Impact: Who scores the 88th-minute winner against a top-six rival? Those moments stick in the voters' brains more than a hat-trick against a relegated side in October.
- Keep an eye on the newcomers: Igor Thiago at Brentford is the wildcard. If he hits 25+ goals for a mid-table side, the "overachievement" factor might pull him into the conversation.
Keep a close eye on the injury reports for the final three months. A two-week absence in April can kill a candidacy faster than a red card. Check the official Premier League app in May to cast your 10% vote—it actually mattered in the tight race between Salah and Van Dijk a few years back.