Manchester City striker Erling Braut Haaland is among the seven nominees for the 2022-23 Premier League Player of the Season award.
The 22-year-old is enjoying a record-breaking debut campaign for the Citizens having already scored 36 Premier League goals in just 33 appearances, the most by any player in a single season in the competition's history.
Haaland has played in 25 of Man City's 27 top-flight victories this season and Pep Guardiola's side require just one more win to secure their third successive title.
City's No.9 is joined on the POTS shortlist by teammate Kevin De Bruyne who is looking to become the first-ever player to win the award three times in the Premier League having previously received the accolade in 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The Belgian playmaker has once again been a key cog in Guardiola's machine and is currently leading the way with assists in the top flight this term, setting up 16 goals in 30 appearances while also chipping in with seven strikes of his own.
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Man City's title rivals Arsenal also have two men on the shortlist in the form of captain Martin Odegaard and star winger Bukayo Saka.
Odegaard has established himself as a leader and prominent figure in Mikel Arteta's side this season, contributing with 15 goals and seven assists in 35 games, as well as taking part in 24 of the Gunners' 25 league victories.
Meanwhile, Saka has played a starring role for the North Londoners in their title charge, and the 21-year-old is one of only two players to reach double figures for goals and assists in the Premier League this term, recording 13 goals and 10 assists – the other player to do so is Liverpool's Mohamed Salah who has not been nominated for the POTS award this time around.
Elsewhere, England captain Harry Kane is in contention to become the first Tottenham Hotspur player to win the award since Gareth Bale in 2012-13 having enjoyed another stellar goalscoring campaign.
The 29-year-old has been a reliable source for goals this term and is the nearest challenger to Haaland in the race for the Golden Boot with 27 goals in 36 appearances, including 24 strikes in different matches – equalling the record for a single season in the competition.
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Fellow England international Marcus Rashford is another POTS nominee, with the 25-year-old enjoying the best scoring season of his career with Manchester United having found the net 16 times in 33 Premier League appearances as well as setting up a further five goals.
Completing the seven-man shortlist is Newcastle United's 32-year-old right-back Kieran Trippier, the only defender and oldest player to receive a nomination this year.
The Magpies skipper has had a major influence on the rapid rise of Eddie Howe's side who are chasing Champions League football this term, helping the North East outfit keep 15 clean sheets while contributing with seven assists in 36 Premier League matches.
Meanwhile, Haaland, Odegaard and Saka are also up for the Premier League Young Player of the Season award, along with Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli, Newcastle duo Alexander Isak and Sven Botman, and Brighton & Hove Albion pair Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister.
Public votes will be combined with those of a panel of football experts to decide the winners of both awards, which will be announced on May 27.
Oliver Thomas
