Premier League Predictions: Player of the Year Candidates Assessed

There’s just three days to go until the new Premier League season kicks off and Manchester United host Leicester, and only two days until clubs can finalise their squads for the upcoming campaign.

There could yet be a big arrival or two to unsettle the usual suspects in the battle to be considered top dog in England’s top-flight, but our writers can’t see beyond the familiar names when it comes to the eventual player of the year candidates…

Martin Laurence - Eden Hazard

While the uncertainty that continues to linger over his future at Chelsea is far from ideal heading into any campaign, if Chelsea can keep their star man Maurizio Sarri will be hopeful of getting the best from the Belgian. As was evident in the Community Shield, it will take time to fully integrate his philosophy onto the squad but in the meantime they will look to Hazard to carry the threat and the 27-year-old should be full of confidence after an excellent World Cup. I’d expect the Blues to score more goals this season with greater attacking intent, and Hazard’s individual tallies to rise as a result in order to build on what was an fantastic rating of 7.69 last season.

Ben McAleer - Eden Hazard

Hazard was superb at the World Cup, earning a WhoScored.com rating of 8.51. Any reports of a late move away from Chelsea look to have no legs, even with Real Madrid sniffing around. If Maurizio Sarri can coax a 28-goal season out of Dries Mertens, then he has the means to have a similar impact with the forward’s compatriot. The 27-year-old’s best WhoScored.com rating in a Premier League season was a 7.96 back in 2014/15 - we could yet see him top that this time around.

Josh Wright - Kevin De Bruyne

De Bruyne was exceptional last season, registering more assists than any other player in Europe's top five leagues (16). Manchester City are favourites to retain their Premier League title and, while I believe Liverpool could pip them to first place, they will still be a real force this season under Pep Guardiola. De Bruyne's WhoScored rating in the Premier League was 7.80 last season and there's no reason why he can't replicate that form this time around.