Watkins, Foden or Saka – pick your Premier League forward of the season

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6 nominees 

The Premier League season is approaching its conclusion, and as a result Transfermarkt have now published its contenders for the division’s Player of the Year awards. Alongside picking the individual that you think deserves to win the English top-flight’s MVP award, users can also pick their preferred candidate for the positions of goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards.

Alongside an impressive array of defenders and midfield options, users may wish to remind themselves of the contenders in the forward category of this season’s awards. This includes players who are listed as wingers on the Transfermarkt website. To no great surprise, both title contenders Arsenal and Manchester City have forwards included on the shortlist, whilst other teams up and down the table have seen their performances boosted by some superb individual attacking talents. Let’s take a look at the forwards that have been nominated for Player of the Year.

Ollie Watkins – Aston Villa

One of the standout stars this season is without doubt has been Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins. The 28 year old is behind only Erling Haaland (25) Cole Palmer (21) and Alexander Isak (20) in the goalscoring ranks with 19, and is first in the entire division for assists (12). All of his strikes have been non-penalty goals, after spot kick duty was handed over to midfielder Douglas Luiz at the start of the season. Furthermore he has been a crucial part of Aston Villa’s unlikely pursuit of the top four and Champions League football next season.

Bukayo Saka – Arsenal

Arsenal’s ‘starboy’ continues to shine. Bukayo Saka has 16 goals and nine assists from the right-wing this season – now his best ever season in terms of direct league goal contributions. He has been a key part of the Gunners title challenge. Available most weeks, and relentlessly running at defenders and looking to make things happen for Mikel Arteta’s team week-in-week-out.

Phil Foden – Manchester City

This season Phil Foden has really come of age at Manchester City. No longer one of the periphery players, Foden has stamped his authority on this star studded team, scoring 17 Premier League goals and providing eight assists. An injury to Kevin De Bruyne in the first half of the season meant Foden was given a more central role in City’s attack and he flourished. Manager Pep Guardiola recently described him as the “best player in the Premier League”.

Erling Haaland – Manchester City

We have become so accustom to seeing Erling Haaland scoring monstrous amounts of goals, that his 25 Premier League goals bizarrely seems a little underwhelming this season. Nevertheless, he is four goals ahead of any other player in the goalscoring charts, making it all but a formality that he will win a second consecutive Premier League golden boot. His recent four goals in an important game against Wolves reiterated his importance, and he could have a second Premier League winners medal this Sunday too.

Alexander Isak – Newcastle

Newcastle’s Swedish striker Alexander Isak remains one of the most sought after strikers in world football. He has scored 20 Premier League goals this season, leaving him third in the goalscoring charts. When you take into account the amount of injuries to players around him, as well as his own issues with fitness, it’s a remarkable feat.

Mohamed Salah – Liverpool

Liverpool’s title challenge didn’t quite go to plan and give departing manager Jürgen Klopp the title he craved on his final hurrah. However, despite showing signs that his immense talents may be starting to fade, Mohamed Salah has still scored 18 Premier League goals and provided 10 league assists. An even more commendable statistic when you consider he has missed games through both injury and the Africa Cup of Nations.