At a Glance:
- Ian Wright backs Declan Rice over Bruno Fernandes this season.
- Wright picks Rice as his PFA Players’ Player of the Year winner.
- History favours Rice over Fernandes.
Ian Wright believes Declan Rice has had a superior 2025/2026 Premier League season to Bruno Fernandes; two players who have dominated proceedings for Arsenal and Manchester United respectively.
Gabriel Jesus heaped praise on Rice by claiming he can “do everything”, which sums up how much respect the Englishman commands from his teammates.
However, Fernandes has also had a phenomenal season for Manchester United. Providing 18 league assists, notably, he is three away from breaking the all-time record for an individual season (20).
Bruno Fernandes has provided 18 assists in the Premier League this season 🪄
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 18, 2026
Only Ozil, De Bruyne and Henry have ever recorded more in a single campaign. pic.twitter.com/tcTstRqptL
Jermaine Pennant lauded Fernandes as he stated that the United captain deserves to win the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award.
Ian Wright, on the other hand, sided with Rice.
Ian Wright claims Declan Rice deserves PFA Player of The Year award over Bruno Fernandes
Speaking to ITV, Ian Wright named Rice, Fernandes and Manchester City winger Antoine Semenyo as his standout candidates to win the PFA Players’ Player of The Year award.
Recently, the former West Ham United midfielder has not been at his absolute best. Gary Neville called Rice out as he felt the 27-year-old had a forgettable game against Manchester City on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Roy Keane slated Rice’s leadership as he felt the Europa Conference League winner did not give his Arsenal teammates a mouthful during their 2-1 loss to AFC Bournemouth.
However, Ian Wright complimented Rice’s consistency and the fact that he could be integral to their potential title triumph this season.
Premier League? Champions League? World Cup? 🏆
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) April 24, 2026
Ian Wright picks his PFA Player of the Year & POTENTIAL Ballon d'Or winner 👀@PFA | @IanWright0 pic.twitter.com/9Tr10asEf3
“I think top three, I’d probably go with Declan Rice, Bruno Fernandes, and I quite like the way [Antoine] Semenyo has gone. People will say, ‘Oh well, he hasn’t played enough of the season,’ but his form before and going to City, I’d probably put him in there. I’d probably go with Declan Rice, especially with the season Arsenal are hoping to have at the end.
“But I think he’s been integral to all of Arsenal’s progress since he’s been there. I think that he’s never less than an eight or nine out of ten in every game so it’s going to be tough to get someone better than Declan Rice.”
Declan Rice more likely than Bruno Fernandes for PFA Player of The Year award
Based on history, Rice has a higher chance of winning the prestigious award over Fernandes.
Since the inception of the accolade, the player whose team won the league was handed the award on 27 instances out of 52.
Mohamed Salah’s triumph in 2022 is the most recent example of a player not winning the title and yet being recognised by his peers as the best player in England.
