The PFA Young Player of the Year Odds, Tips & Prediction

The most likely candidates for the award may both play for the champions-elect, with Phil Foden’s City colleague, Ruben Dias, receiving plaudits for his dominant performances at centre half. The defender has filled the void left by former captain Vincent Kompany, with Dias forming one of the best defensive partnerships in Europe this season, alongside John Stones. And, with City running away with the title, it may be difficult to overlook the Citizens for the individual awards across the board.

Foden has become a much more regular feature of City’s first team, as he has been deployed in several different positions. The 20-year-old has mostly found his success from the left wing, although he has also occupied the central areas, at times playing as a false nine.

His versatility has meant that Guardiola has put more faith in him, as he looks to build his team around the young midfielder. Only Raheem Sterling and Ilkay Gundogan have scored more for the club than Foden this campaign, with the youth graduate even outscoring the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne this season.

In all competitions, Marcus Rashford is on course for his highest goal tally yet, as he currently boasts a very respectable 18. Rashford has 18 league goal contributions this season, as he has been able to add more assists to his game and his all-round play keeps improving.

The one drawback for Rashford might be his consistency compared to some of the other candidates, who have performed for their clubs on a weekly basis. Still, his efforts this season should not be ignored, as the Englishman has outperformed all of his strike partners at Old Trafford and only Bruno Fernandes is beating him in terms of goal involvements, which in itself is a shame for nobody.

As mentioned, the consistency of Foden and Dias is likely the deciding factor in Rashford winning the award and not.

The balance of power in London has seen an unlikely new force enter the mix, as West Ham United are currently the highest placed club from the capital. The likes of Michail Antonio, the on-loan Jesse Lingard and Jared Bowen have impressed for the Irons this year, but it is the midfield pairing of Declan Rice and Thomas Soucek that has caught the eye for most.

Rice, already an established international, has continued to grow this season and has even captained his side in Mark Noble’s absence. He plays beyond his years and is a key figure in West Ham’s surprise Champions League push. This season has been fairly turbulent for Chelsea, as they have seen their club legend Frank Lampard sacked the club’s manager. Their form has since improved under Thomas Tuchel, but one constant in their side has been Mason Mount. The midfielder has impressed with his application and creative ability, averaging 2.5 key passes per game - only Jack Grealish, De Bruyne and Fernandes have averaged more.

Mount has received high praise this season, with Roy Keane recently comparing him to Paul Scholes, as the 22-year-old remains a key part of the Chelsea and England setup. The third Londoner in the YPOTY discussion is Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka. No teenager has scored more Premier League goals than Saka this year, as he has established himself as a key part of Mikel Arteta’s side and arguably Arsenal’s best player.

Like Foden, he is incredibly versatile, having shown he is as capable at left-back as he is on the right wing, where he has shone this season. Arsenal seem to be building around a youthful attacking duo of Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe, so the pair of them are only going to keep improving with game time, which is an exciting prospect for Gunners fans.

During his first full season at Everton, Carlo Ancelotti has transformed his side into genuine top four challengers, having attracted some big names in the summer. But perhaps the biggest success story of his tenure so far is the upturn in form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who the Italian manager has put his faith into since arriving in December 2019.

Calvert-Lewin has bagged 13 times in the league this season and has even catapulted himself into the England reckoning, picking up his first of three caps this season, scoring on his debut for his country. If the Toffees are to secure European football and the Sheffield-born striker continues to find the back of the net, then this will do his chances of picking up the YPOTY award no harm.

Although, his form has slightly distinguished over the past few months, which is why he is far from the favourite for the individual trophy.

For the past two seasons, Leicester City have made a name for themselves as one of the top teams in the country, finishing higher than two of the ‘Big Six’ last season. The Foxes are currently third in the league, with the form of James Maddison playing a big part in getting them there.

Jamie Carragher stated earlier in the season that Maddison had to increase his number of goal contributions, which the 24-year-old seems to have taken on board, scoring eight and assisting seven so far this season.

The midfielders’ influence on his side can be seen through their form when he is not in the team, as Leicester have failed to win any of the four games that he has missed this season, so they will be hoping to have him back soon for the top four run-in.

This will be the last season Maddison is eligible for the award, with the criteria stating that you must be 23 or younger at the time of the season starting, which the Foxes star was.

It's near impossible to look past Foden. The 'Stockport Iniesta' has been living up to such a name for a while now, but with his performances not just surpassing most in Europe under the age of 23, but most in the Premier League in general, his name might already be on the trophy.

However, with Dias giving City the van Dijk-esque effect at the Etihad and being the difference in them winning the title back, you cannot look past City's new star. In fact, at 9/1, the defender is also a great price to take the PFA Player of the Year award, which will put him into the category with Gareth Bale and Andy Gray, who remain the only two men in history to win the PFA Young Player and PFA Player of the Year awards.

Foden deserves a shoutout, as does his compatriot Rashford. But Dias' form and help in transforming the Citizens has been unrivalled across the league, and perhaps Europe in general, as City sit with the best defence across the continent. In truth, Dias' individual accolades might not just stop at the PFA and his name might be plastered on more prestigious awards in the near future, if City win more than just the Premier League.