The 2024/25 Premier League season has been one of the best in recent years. From Liverpool’s unexpected title pursuit under Arne Slot to Pep Guardiola’s capitulation with champions Manchester City, the title race has been full of intrigue, while at the other end of the table, it’s anyone’s guess as to who could be relegated, with Premier League betting constantly changing which of the bottom three could face the drop come May.
Indeed, the campaign is reaching its all-important business end, with the sheer quality of players across the league on full display. This is one of the most competitive seasons in a long time, with each side possessing at least two or three top players that could walk into any side.
In this article, we take an early look at some of the standout players from this season and assess if they have a chance of winning the Premier League Player of the Year award in a few months’ time. Read on for more.
Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah’s penalty against Manchester United ensured he would level Thierry Henry as the seventh-highest goal scorer in Premier League history, but the Egyptian King will not want to stop there.
Liverpool’s star man, despite being in the last year of his contract at Anfield, is on for a record-breaking campaign. Indeed, Henry’s record of 20 goals and as many assists could be bested by the winger, with Salah leading the race for a fourth Golden Boot in a career that has seen him become a legend on Merseyside.
While his future remains unclear at the moment, Salah seems solely focused on his football. Liverpool have a real chance of lifting the title in Arne Slot’s season, but the Dutchman will need his leading scorer to be at the races.
Bukayo Saka
Until his injury over the Christmas period, Bukayo Saka had been one of the most important players for Arsenal as they look to challenge for the title.
Mikel Arteta’s men have come undone by City the last two seasons, but look to be maturing with every setback – Saka embodying that growth with a flurry of strong performances and impressive output.
The England international will be returning to the Gunners at what many fans hope is a critical stage of the season as they look to close the gap on Slot and Liverpool.
Matz Sels
Nottingham Forest have been one of the surprise packages of the season, and goalkeeper Matz Sels has gone a long way to ensure Nuno Espirito’s side have a fighting chance at European football.
Since their promotion, Forest have always struggled with a reliable man between the sticks, changing between Dean Henderson, Keylor Navas, Odysseas Vlachodimos and Matt Turner in an attempt to replace Brice Samba. Eventually, they landed on Sels who has turned around his reputation after a shaky stint at Newcastle United.
Sels provides a reliable platform for Forest to keep clean sheets and supported by Nikola Milenković, who is enjoying an equally impressive season since signing from Fiorentina, Forest can dream of a place in the Champions League.
Bryan Mbeumo
Brentford have become a mainstay in the Premier League under Thomas Frank, but when Ivan Toney left the club in the summer, many wondered where the goals would come from as the Bees looked to ensure their survival. However, they have not just survived but thrived thanks to the goals of Bryan Mbeumo.
It’s been something of a breakout year for the winger, who has been with the club since their promotion but is finally showing the consistency that has made him one of the most efficient players in the league.
With 16 goal contributions at the time of writing, Mbeumo is firing Brentford to their best top-flight finish in history, sparking rumours of a big-money move, with north London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur both interested in the Cameroonian’s signature.
