David Silva produced another exquisite performance in Manchester City's 4-0 win over West Ham United at the weekend to cement his place at the head of the betting for the 2018/19 PFA Player of the Year. Silva has been instrumental in catapulting Pep Guardiola's side to the top of the Premier League as we head towards a busy festive period, while the diminutive Spaniard's teammate Sergio Aguero has also been grabbing the headlines for his impressive displays leading the City line, and the Argentine star is also a prominent figure in the betting.
Another pint-sized star lighting up the English top-flight is Eden Hazard, who has single-handedly rocketed Chelsea up the table, but Saturday's disappointing 3-1 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur has seen the Belgian maestro ease in the betting for the coveted end-of-season award.
However, while the focus is often aimed at the attacking end of the pitch there's one man that continues to blossom in defensive areas and Liverpool's Virgil Van Dijk must be in contention to land the Player of the Year award and if he can maintain his sensational start to the campaign then he should be victorious.
An instant hit at Anfield following his big-money move from Southampton last year, Van Dijk has helped create a Liverpool defensive wall not too dissimilar to the rearguard of 1980s Liverpool and Van Dijk has been likened to Liverpool legend Alan Hansen, who gracefully defended the Reds goal, but had the ability to play out from the back.
Van Dijk has been ably supported by centre-back partner Joe Gomez for most of the season, but while that young English talent has improved immeasurably it's been Van Dijk's calmness and quality that has helped him ease Gomez into the Liverpool back-line and the dazzling Dutchman is most definitely the best defender in world football.
Often referred to as a 'Rolls Royce defender', 27-year-old Van Dijk has helped Liverpool concede only five Premier League goals this season and the Merseysiders have amassed eight league clean sheets. Van Dijk's sensational reading of the game and his effortless defending style have helped launched him into the upper echelons of 21st century defenders, and if the delightful Dutch sensation can continue to be the rock of Liverpool's defence then he should be honoured with the Premier League's most coveted trophy come the end of the season.
He won every single aerial duel (8), every single tackle (3), and made 8 clearances against Watford
Thou Shalt Not Pass â›”
