On 20 June 2025, the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) unveiled the six-man shortlist for its coveted Players’ Player of the Year award. In a vote cast by fellow Premier League professionals, the nominees are:
- Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
- Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)
- Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
- Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
- Declan Rice (Arsenal)
- Alexander Isak (Newcastle United).
This annual accolade, first awarded in 1973–74, is one of the game’s most esteemed honors, decided not by pundits or journalists, but by the players themselves.
Salah’s sensational season
At the forefront is Mohamed Salah, who has once again led Liverpool to Premier League glory. His numbers are astonishing: 29 goals and 18 assists, equating to 47 goal involvements—a tally matching the record previously held by Andrew Cole and Alan Shearer during their 42-game campaigns.
Few players shape a season like Salah. His contributions were pivotal in Liverpool finishing 10 points clear of Arsenal. Already a two-time PFA winner (2018, 2022), he’s aiming to become the first-ever three-time recipient .
Beyond individual glory, this season saw Salah pick up the FWA Footballer of the Year for 2024–25—further cementing his status as England’s standout player.
Mac Allister’s unsung influence
Joining Salah are Mac Allister and five others. Argentine midfielder Alexis Mac Allister quietly stood out. Though not as flashy, his season was instrumental: 5 goals and 5 assists, but more crucially, his defensive work and ability to initiate transitions were essential.
Referred to as “an intelligent operator,” his impact went beyond stats. He averaged almost 2.7 tackles per game and played a key pivot role in Liverpool’s midfield . Peers acknowledged this, placing him alongside Salah—proof he’s valued beyond the star names .
Other strong challengers
Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
Despite United’s disappointing 15th-place finish, Bruno Fernandes was included after mustering 19 goals and 19 assists in 36 appearances . His leadership and all-around quality kept him in the nomination mix.
Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Fresh from winning the PFA Fans’ Player of the Year in 2024, Palmer again earned recognition. His campaign produced 15 league goals and 8 assists, helping Chelsea secure Champions League qualification.
Declan Rice (Arsenal)
A rock at the base of midfield, Rice added 4 goals and 7 assists, finishing second with Arsenal for the third straight season . His dynamism and consistency made him a deserving nominee.
Alexander Isak (Newcastle United)
Finishing as the Premier League’s second-highest scorer with 23 goals, Isak propelled Newcastle to Champions League qualification and a credible top-five finish. At just 25, he looks poised for further elevation.
Historical context and what’s at stake
The PFA award carries tremendous prestige due to being peer-voted since 1974. Past two-time winners include legends like Shearer, Henry, Ronaldo, and De Bruyne; Salah, with two wins, stands on the threshold of history if he clinches a third .
Liverpool’s dual nominees reflect their season’s dominance. Mac Allister’s inclusion highlights the depth and tactical sharpness underpinning Salah’s brilliance.
This year’s shortlist underlines diverse excellence:
- Clinical finishers (Salah, Isak),
- Creative midfield maestros (Fernandes, Rice),
- Young star power (Palmer),
- Tactical workhorses (Mac Allister).
What happens next?
The winner will be revealed at the PFA Awards ceremony in Manchester on 19 August 2025. With the new Premier League season opening in August, this award acts as a bridge to the campaign ahead—an endorsement before the whistle blows again.
Fan reaction
Liverpool fans on r/LiverpoolFC expressed confidence:
“Salah, after this year, will almost certainly become the first 3‑time PFA Player of the Year.”
Thoughts on Mac Allister ranged from pride to surprise by other teams’ supporters debating whether Mac Allister’s defensive contributions merited the nod over heavier stat-lines .
Final Thoughts
The shortlist encapsulates the breadth of talent in English football: individual brilliance, emerging promise, midfield intelligence, and leadership under adversity.
- If Salah wins, he’ll secure an unprecedented third PFA title.
- If Mac Allister clinches it, it’ll underscore the value of underrated, system-driven excellence.
- A victory for any of the other four—Fernandes, Palmer, Rice, or Isak—could mark a career-defining moment, especially for Palmer or Isak discovering ascendancy through elite recognition.
For Liverpool, the nomination of both Salah and Mac Allister reaffirms their dominance. For fans, neutrals, and pundits, the award offers more than prestige—it signals who the game’s peers truly believe are shaping the Premier League today.
