Who is the best Premier League player of the 2020/21 season?

Eight players have been nominated for the Premier League Player of the Season award for 2020/21.

Last season’s winner of the award Kevin De Bruyne is in the running again along with his teammate Ruben Dias. Manchester City is the only club with more than one candidate on the award shortlist.

Player of the Season candidates:

Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)

Manchester City's Belgian playmaker produced the joint second-highest assists total in the league and only three players surpassed his 80 chances created, even though he missed a third of the campaign. It was a successful season for the Citizens despite going down in the Champions League final. That game also gave another headache to De Bruyne (pun intended). He’s in a race against time to be fit for the Euro 2020 tournament after suffering a nose and eye socket fracture.

Ruben Dias (Manchester City)

The centre-back made an instant impact following his arrival from Benfica in September 2020, leading Man City's defence to 15 clean sheets and winning 23 of his 32 matches. He also found the net once. His willingness to put his body on the line, get in front of any shot and organise his back four has led Pep Guardiola’s side to a domestic double.

Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)

The Portuguese's total of 18 goals was a competition-high by a midfielder in 2020/21. He also claimed the joint second-highest assists total to inspire Manchester United to a runners-up spot. The former Sporting playmaker scored 28 goals across the campaign, as the Reds finished runners-up in both the Premier League and Europa League. In the latter tournament, he wore the captain's armband and narrowly missed out on lifting the trophy in Gdansk following United's penalty shoot-out defeat to Villarreal.

Jack Grealish (Aston Villa)

Despite missing 12 matches, the Aston Villa captain was involved in 16 goals and played an integral role as his side secured 11th place, their best finish since 2010/11. He’s expected to make a move to one of the country’s biggest clubs in the coming months after establishing himself as a genuine Premier League star. Both Manchester clubs are believed to be keen on the skilful midfielder.

Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)

Tottenham Hotspur striker Kane became only the third player in Premier League history to finish with the most goals and assists in the same campaign, claiming both the Golden Boot and Playmaker Award after scoring 23 goals and setting up 14. Kane appears to be looking for a move away from Tottenham Hotspur this summer. And there is expected to be a lot of interest in his signature if the England national team captain was to leave, with Manchester United being one of the clubs linked with him.

Mason Mount (Chelsea)

Chelsea Academy product Mount played all but two matches in the heart of the Blues' midfield and helped them secure a fourth-place finish, scoring six goals and registering five assists. He has always been an attacking midfielder, capable of playing in any of the central midfield roles and is particularly strong at going from box-to-box.

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Liverpool's Egyptian finished only one goal short of Golden Boot-winner Kane as the Reds finished strongly to claim third position and a UEFA Champions League spot. The Egyptian was typically brilliant on the pitch and finished as runner-up to Harry Kane in the race for the Premier League golden boot. But away from the action, there were growing murmurs that the Egyptian fancies a new challenge.

Tomas Soucek (West Ham United)

The Czech midfielder played every match and impressed with his aerial prowess and power, registering 10 goals as West Ham United finished sixth, their best position since 1998/99. Despite playing in a deeper central midfield role, Soucek got forward whenever possible, with his late runs into the opposition penalty area and presence in the box at set pieces causing a constant threat.

Who do you think deserves the award?