Erling Haaand won the prize in 2022-23, but the Manchester City star hasn't quite reached the same heights, and could relinquish his crown
The 2023-24 Premier League season is now edging towards a dramatic finale, with Manchester City not having things all their own way in their pursuit of a record-breaking fourth consecutive title. Erling Haaland is once again leading the way in the goalscoring stakes, which makes him a favourite to defend his Premier League Player of the Season crown from 2022-23, but City are forming part of the chasing pack after 30 games.
Liverpool have emerged as pacesetters under Jurgen Klopp again, after seeing some smart transfer business pay off handsomely, and Arsenal are right on their coattails as they seek to go one better than last season's second-placed finish. Unai Emery's Aston Villa, meanwhile, are going to toe-to-toe with Ange Postecoglou's new-look Tottenham for fourth place and Champions League qualification.
A number of summer signings have become vital players at their new clubs, while certain players have benefitted from a managerial change or improved injury situation to rediscover their best form or reach an even higher level. And with the likes of Manchester United, Newcastle and Chelsea still struggling for consistency, more than a few surprise contenders for Haaland's throne have emerged.
GOAL has rated the best performers so far to figure out who should be the frontrunners for the 2023-24 Premier League Player of the Season award as the finishing line approaches...
Previous update: February 19, 2024.
16 Julian Alvarez (Manchester City) ⬇️
Alvarez managed 17 goals in just 23 starts for City last term, but his contribution for the treble-winners ultimately went under the radar because of Haaland's record-breaking exploits.
This season, the dynamic has been different, with Alvarez often playing in a central position behind Haaland, and the role change has reaped immediate rewards. The Argentine has weighed in with eight goals and eight assists, and admirably stepped up to shoulder the creative burden in the team when Kevin De Bruyne was out injured.
Alvarez has still been starting regularly since De Bruyne's return, which shows just how highly he is valued by Pep Guardiola. It should come as little surprise, really, given Alvarez served as Lionel Messi's right-hand man at the 2022 World Cup - and the 24-year-old will hope to have a decisive impact as City make a final push to win their sixth title under Guardiola.
15 Jarrod Bowen (West Ham) ⬆️
West Ham are no longer riding the wave of their 2022-23 Europa Conference League success, but they are still in the mix for a top-seven finish under David Moyes.
A lot of the credit must go to Bowen, who scored the winner in their now famous final victory over Fiorentina last May, as he's improved his finishing to help the Hammers become one of the most effective counter-attacking sides in the Premier League.
The 27-year-old is already up to 15 Premier League goals this season, nine more than he managed in the whole of last term, and has managed to set up another five as the focal point in the Hammers' attack. Bowen has forced his way into the England squad as a result, and could start attracting interest from top clubs if he continues on his current trajectory.
14 Darwin Nunez (Liverpool) ⬇️
Nunez struggled to adapt to the pace of English football in his debut year at Anfield, but has gradually transformed into Liverpool's master of chaos, and opposition defences are having a torrid time trying to keep him at bay. A haul of 18 goal contributions from 28 Premier League appearances proves that Nunez has added end product to his game, even if he doesn't always make the right decision in the final third.
It's very difficult to predict what Nunez will do when he gets a sight of goal, which is part of the reason he is so thrilling to watch, and it's frightening to think how much potential he still has left to unlock at the age of 24.
Liverpool fans have taken Nunez into their hearts because of his fearless, explosive style of play, and his razor-sharp instincts could end up giving Klopp's side the edge in the final title run-in.
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