PFA Player of the season : Preview

Player of the season focus : Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson Vs king of the assists Kevin De Bruyne

Some of the biggest names in the professional game are in the hunt for the Players' Player of the Year award, after the PFA confirmed the shortlist for the prestigious accolade. With the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Jordan Henderson, Sadio Mane, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Danny Ings, Nick Pope, Jamie Vardy being up for the coveted award. Here we look into the two favorites Kevin De Bruyne and Jordan Henderson.

Kevin De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne is leading the race for this season’s PFA Player of the Year award.Despite Man City’s failure to win a third successive Premier League title due to Liverpool’s dominance, De Bruyne has enjoyed a fine campaign.The Belgium playmaker has scored 13 goals and recorded an impressive 20 assists in 35 league appearances this term.He equaled the record for most assists in a single Premier League season (20), which was set by Thierry Henry in the 2002/03 campaign.The 29-year-old Belgian has been ubiquitous on the score sheet for City since joining the club in 2015, and he's showing no signs of slowing down. De Bruyne has created 33 big chances, compared to that of Liverpool's midfield they have created 16 big chances in TOTAL ( Henderson 9, Keita 5, Fabinho 2, Wijnaldum 0). Liverpool's front three are widely considered to be best in the world by many pundits and fans alike, their  front three has created same amount of big chances as De Bruyne has (33) : Salah 13, Mane 10 , Firmino 10.Liverpool were a juggernaut in the league but it's tough to say one of their players stood head and shoulders above the rest, while De Bruyne did. De Bruyne has been head and shoulders above any other player in the league, with the consistency of his performances, how dangerous he is and how he dictates games with his quality.

Jordan Henderson

While Jordan Henderson has not come close to reaching De Bruyne’s stats this term, his influence on and off the pitch for Liverpool has been vital in their first top-flight triumph in 30 years.When Henderson first signed for Liverpool from Sunderland in June 2011, much doubt surrounded his ability and whether he would be good enough to play for the Reds.But Henderson overcame that and, eventually being named captain in June 2015.Arguably the most important player in Liverpool’s title-winning side.When Henderson is on the pitch, Liverpool look a more complete team.Injured for the final game of the season, Henderson will end the 2019/20 Premier League campaign with 30 appearances, 26 of which have been starts. Of those 30 games, Liverpool have won 27, only drawing with Manchester United and Everton, and losing to Manchester City after the title was confirmed. That’s 90% of games won with Henderson on the pitch, and 83 points from a possible 90 gained.Henderson may not have the individual numbers of De Bruyne, scoring just four goals and recording five assists, but once again the importance of his contributions cannot be understated. With FWA Footballer of the year already secured , he'll no doubt be eyeing up PFA Player of the year.

Verdict

No doubt Henderson has been important for this Liverpool team , he's also lead them well both on and off the field. Helped to raise funds for NHS during this pandemic. But it feels like this belongs to De Bruyne for what he has achieved this season. Normally PFA Player of the season are given to those players that has had an outstanding season, so it's intriguing to see who'll win.

Odds

De Bruyne had been backed into 1.22, when the market was suspended, while Henderson was 3.00.