At a Glance:
- Rio Ferdinand picks Bruno Fernandes as PFA Player of The Year winner.
- Fernandes named superior to Declan Rice and two Arsenal stars.
- Why Fernandes could win the award.
Bruno Fernandes is likely to serve as the biggest threat to some of Arsenal’s best performers this season in any race to win individual awards in English football.
Fernandes pipped Declan Rice to win the FWA Football of The Year award recently but the England international looks set to be in contention for the Premier League Player of The Year and PFA Players’ Player of The Year accolades.
However, aside from Rice, Gabriel Magalhaes could win Player of The Year award, regardless of whether he is rewarded by the PFA or the league itself while David Raya deserves special recognition as well.
Rio Ferdinand was quizzed about whether Fernandes merits being considered the PFA Players’ Player of The Year over the likes of Rice, Gabriel, Raya and even Erling Haaland.
Rio Ferdinand says Bruno Fernandes pips Declan Rice, David Raya and Gabriel Magalhaes
The pundit initially claimed on Rio Ferdinand Presents that there are two primary reasons why Fernandes has been superior to Rice, Raya and Gabriel in particular.
- Impact on Manchester United’s ascent
- Match-winning ability
Ferdinand explained: “The swing for the club is a huge thing, to go from 15th to third and convincingly. And to be the catalyst when the team needed something at all points of the season, he’s been the guy that has always inevitably produced that moment, either it be an assist or a goal.
“He creates chances at will in every game you watch. And that’s not to discredit those other guys you mentioned. I’m just saying his importance and his output has been crazy.”
Unlike Ian Wright, who backed Rice over Fernandes for the award because the former West Ham United midfielder could win the league, Ferdinand stressed that as an individual, Fernandes has operated in a league of his own.
“You think about what those other guys will do, they’re going to go and achieve some great things this year, win the league and they’ve got a chance to win the Champions League. That’s great. But we’re talking about an individual performance here.
“Collectively, Arsenal have been fantastic but if you’re talking about individualism and an individual’s performances, then it’s Bruno.”
The advantage Bruno Fernandes has in PFA Player of The Year race
On one hand, any of Arsenal’s stars could especially have an advantage in the quest to win the PFA Players’ Player of The Year award simply because they could win the double.
Fellow professionals may favour Gunners players simply due to this reason as being on the cusp of a potential double-winning season is a feat in itself.
However, if Fernandes breaks the 20-assist record set by Thierry Henry in the 2002/2003 Premier League season, which was matched by Kevin De Bruyne in 2020, he may end up lifting the award.
After all, unlike Arsenal, the Portuguese international plays for a Manchester United side that are not ready to win major honours and yes, he is performing an at elite standard.
