(BBC) – Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk says he voted for Premier League rival Raheem Sterling to win the PFA Player of the Year award.
The prize, which will be awarded on 28 April, sees footballers vote for fellow professionals as the best player for the current season.
Manchester City’s Sterling and Van Dijk are strong favourites after fantastic seasons, with their clubs in contention to win the Premier League.
“I did what I thought and I thought he deserves it,” said Van Dijk. “He’s had a fantastic season. I could have voted for Bernardo Silva as well, and another couple of players from City.”
The nominees for PFA Player of the Year will be announced soon, with six players up for the prize every season. Players cannot vote for their own team-mates.
Here are 10 players we think are in the running, but who is your favourite?
1. Virgil van Dijk
Since Virgil van Dijk transferred to Liverpool from Southampton last season, he’s become a rock at the heart of the Reds defence.
His displays at the back have seen him described as the best defender in the world and he’s also been a positive influence on younger footballers playing next to him, such as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez.
Raheem Sterling has answered his critics on and off the pitch this season. Not only has he produced eye-catching displays for Manchester City, meaning the team is still in line for an incredible quadruple, Sterling has scored 18 goals and registered nine assists in the process.
He’s also stood up against issues such as racism in football and become an inspiration for other players and fans.
He’s Virgil van Dijk’s favourite, but is he yours?
3. Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard has consistently been one of the Premier League’s best players since he moved to England seven years ago.
Despite Chelsea’s stuttering campaign, Hazard has scored 16 goals this term, meaning he is a potential transfer target for the mighty Real Madrid this summer.
Could this be the last we see of Hazard in England and is he your player of the season?
4. Sergio Agüero
Sergio Agüero is 30 years old and every season in England he has proven to be one of the league’s deadliest strikers.
Despite competition for places at City, from the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Agüero is still manager Pep Guardiola’s most trusted option in attack.
The Argentine forward has repaid his manager’s trust by scoring 19 goals in the league this season, as City try to win the Premier League for a second year in a row.
5. Andrew Robertson
Is there a better left-back in the world than Andy Robertson right now? Not only has he been defensively solid, his work in the final third of the pitch has been crucial to Liverpool’s success this season.
Robertson has chalked up nine assists so far in the league and will be one of the first names on Jürgen Klopp’s team sheet.
6. Son Heung-min
He’s sometimes the forgotten man at Tottenham, with Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen receiving lots of the praise for good performances.
However, Son is a brilliant, brilliant player. He’s scored 12 and assisted five in the league this season and is a worrying prospect for any defence that faces him in the Premier League.
7. Bernardo Silva
Bernardo Silva is a magician on the football pitch. He is a vital component of the Manchester City midfield and dictates the Citizens fast-paced style of play.
At only 24, Silva could be part of City’s squad for many years. Pep Guardiola will know that the Portuguese star will be crucial if he and the team are to achieve the impossible of four trophies this season.
8. Harry Kane
Harry Kane is another forward who has proven himself season after season.
Following on from a fantastic World Cup as the Golden Boot winner, the England captain has had a stop-start campaign due to injury. Despite some setbacks, Kane has still registered 17 goals in the league this term.
With another five goals in Europe, Kane has helped Spurs to a Champions League quarter-final against Manchester City.
9. Sadio Mané
Sadio Mané is having the season of his life at Liverpool. Seventeen goals in the league and a further three in Europe, the Senegalese star has been a big part of the Reds successes this season.
Has he done enough to be your player of the year?
Liverpool fans will hope he can continue the good form and push the Anfield club over the line for their first league title in 29 years.
10. Mohamed Salah
Any other season and Mohamed Salah would have received widespread praise. However, compared to last season Salah has struggled to recapture his previous form.
Despite that he has still worked hard for the team scoring 18 goals in the league (more than Hazard and Sterling) and registering seven assists.
