At a Glance:
- Gary Lineker on why David Raya can’t be his PFA Players’ Player of The Year.
- Micah Richards chooses Raya, Alan Shearer picks Declan Rice.
- Goalkeepers to win the PFA Players’ Player of The Year award.
David Raya’s heroic save to keep West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes’ close-range effort from bypassing him was just another example of how important he has been for Arsenal all season.
While Peter Schmeichel believes Raya was not fouled against the Hammers, what remains indisputable is that the Spaniard is one of the best goalkeepers in world football.
The former Brentford shotstopper has come up trumps for Mikel Arteta’s side time and again this campaign. Arsenal’s defence is world-class but the 30-year-old is a key reason behind that being the case.
However, Gary Lineker revealed on The Rest Is Football podcast why he cannot vote for Raya as the PFA Players’ Player of The Year award if given the choice.
- READ MORE: Gary Lineker shares why he’d be ‘angry’ if he was a West Ham fan about David Raya foul vs Arsenal
Gary Lineker picks Declan Rice over David Raya as Player of The Year
Micah Richards praised Raya and claimed the goalkeeper would be his pick, asking Lineker: “Who would you choose because I would choose David Raya, without a doubt. I think he’s been Arsenal’s best player.”
Gary Lineker replied: “I think Gabriel [Magalhaes] deserves a shout.”
Alan Shearer said: “Declan Rice for me.”
Rice, who fared well against West Ham was Gary Lineker’s pick as well, who admitted that he cannot vote for Raya simply because he is a goalkeeper.
“I think I’d go Declan. I just haven’t got it in me to vote for a goalkeeper. I spent 17 years playing of them getting in the way!”
Goalkeepers who have won PFA Player of The Year award
Ultimately, outfield players are often the favourites to win individual awards.
Bruno Fernandes won the FWA award for Footballer of The Year recently.
Gary Lineker’s view on goalkeepers seems to align with the history of the PFA Players’ Player of The Year award, with just two players in the position ever winning the accolade.
- Pat Jennings- Tottenham Hotspur (1975/1976 season)
- Peter Shilton- Nottingham Forest (1977/1978 season)
However, in the Premier League era, no goalkeeper has ever won the award.
If Raya manages to do so, he will be remembered as a trailblazer.
