Forget Bruno Fernandes and Declan Rice, there’s one other standout contender for the PFA Player of the Year.
At least that is how talkSPORT presenter Adrian Durham feels, arguing the case for Rayan Cherki on the newest episode of Fiery Fridays.
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Both Fernandes and Rice have been vastly efficient performers for respective membership sides Manchester United and Arsenal this season.
And to many, the pair are amongst the standout candidates for the particular person accolade.
Cherking Off
Durham, although, believes the duo, and others, should be overlooked in favour of Manchester City star Cherki.
Cherki has been a revelation for City since his summer arrival from Lyon.
The Frenchman has registered eight assists and scored thrice for Pep Guardiola’s aspect in the Premier League this season.
However, there may be extra to Cherki’s recreation that Durham believes deserves to be recognised when the end-of-season award is handed out.
“I’m thinking of the footballer of the year,” Durham started. “You can’t have any Arsenal gamers, they don’t seem to be footballers, okay? They’re simply robots.
“So, you can’t have any Arsenal gamers as participant of the yr.”
And on the City star, Durham said: “He is the only contender for footballer of the yr.
“Rayan Cherki has won it already.”
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Angelina Kelly probed Durham additional on the Arsenal ‘robots’ quip, asking: “Are you saying that in this scenario Arsenal players are robots or is that just the consensus that they are robots?”
To which Durham replied: “None of us are entertained by Arsenal and and you can’t really knock what they’re doing.
“They’re the high of the league. They’re in all probability going to win the league.
“If Man City win the Premier League, this can be a no-brainer.
“But if Arsenal do win the Premier League, they’re simply robotic. And we’re speaking about footballer of the yr, not robotic of the yr.
“We’re talking footballer of the year who’s playing the football. Are you going to give it to the Arsenal top scorer [Viktor] Gyokeres?
“Are you going to offer it to Declan Rice who hit a couple of free kicks against Real Madrid? There’s no one who performs soccer. They’re simply bullies at set items.”
Durham continued: “You can’t give it to a goalkeeper. Goalkeepers aren’t footballers. They’re goalkeepers.
“Rayan Cherki is literally the only one who’s playing proper football in the Premier League.”
The Contenders
While some City followers could agree with the talkSPORT heavyweight’s sentiments, many will argue that others would be extra deserving winners.
Declan Rice
The present frontrunner for the award, Rice has been instrumental for Arsenal and their title pursuit.
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The 27-year-old has been straight concerned in 9 league targets for Arsenal this season, scoring 4 occasions, however it’s the England worldwide’s all-round midfield play that has really benefitted Mikel Arteta’s aspect.
Rice sits joint-second for possibilities created (58) in England’s high tier this time period, whereas 57 tackles and 30 interceptions additionally rank extremely in the 2025-26 Premier League season.
And if Arsenal do go the distance for the first time in over 20 years, then Rice’s affect for the capital outfit can not be overstated.
Bruno Fernandes
The Premier League’s inventive maestro, and to some, the new face of the league.
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Despite Manchester United’s struggles in the first half of the season, Bruno Fernandes has been a pillar of consistency for the Manchester giants.
Not only does the United skipper rank high for assists (16), he is additionally first for possibilities created (101), clear-cut possibilities created (24) and joint-first for correct by balls (13).
United are anticipated to safe a Champions League return, with Fernandes the shining mild at Old Trafford.
Gabriel Magalhaes
Arsenal centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes is aiming to change into the first defender since Virgil van Dijk in 2019 to win the PFA Player of the Year award.
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Defenders not often come into rivalry for the gong. In reality, only three – Paul McGrath, John Terry and Van Dijk – have gained the award since the Premier League’s 1992 inception.
The Brazilian, although, definitely has a case to make in his bid to land the award.
Indeed, he is half of an Arsenal backline that is conceded the fewest Premier League targets (22) this season, and ranks amongst the high 10 gamers for pictures blocked (25) in the division.
Erling Haaland
While Durham objects to any Arsenal ‘robotic’ profitable the PFA Player of the Year award, Manchester City’s personal robotic remains to be hoping to land the accolade.
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Despite a dip in goalscoring type, Erling Haaland has nonetheless scored extra targets (22) than another participant in the Premier League this season.
Those 22 targets come from 102 pictures, additionally greater than another participant in England’s high tier.
Should Haaland hearth City to the Premier League title, then he’d be a critical contender for his second PFA profession award.
Antoine Semenyo
Antoine Semenyo’s switch to Manchester City in January coincided with Haaland’s dip in type.
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Even so, the Ghanaian has transferred his spectacular Bournemouth showings to the Etihad Stadium.
Semenyo has scored 15 league targets this season, 5 of which have come since he made the transfer north at the flip of the yr.
What’s extra, the former Cherries man has 4 assists to his title as he continues to shine in England’s high tier.
Rayan Cherki
Durham’s Rayan Cherki shout will not be with out benefit. After all, the 22-year-old has eight assists to his title, a tremendous haul given he is began simply 14 league matches, and second only to Fernandes.
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He’s additionally second to the United skipper for clear-cut possibilities created (15) and is averaging a notable 2.9 key passes per 90.
2.5 profitable dribbles per 90 can also be a commendable haul for the teen.
And we’ll agree with Durham – Cherki is one who performs the recreation how it should be performed.
