Premier League correspondent Greg Lea evaluates the credentials of the six leading contenders for the PFA Player of the Year award.
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RIYAD MAHREZ
No player has been directly involved in more goals than Mahrez, who has recorded 11 assists and scored 16 goals. The Algeria international has provided that dash of creativity and invention as part of a Leicester City side that prefer sitting deep and counter-attacking to dominating possession, with his guile and trickery now combined to a far more consistent end product. Leicester’s unrelenting work ethic and commitment has been vital to their success this season, but a title challenge would have been impossible to maintain without the touch of class Mahrez has added.
Games: 32 Goals: 16 Assists: 11
Did you know? When he first heard of his current employers' interest while playing in France, Mahrez thought Leicester were a rugby club.
JAMIE VARDY
Jamie Vardy’s rise through the divisions is well known, but that does not make the former non-league striker’s achievements this season any less remarkable. After scoring only five goals for Nigel Pearson’s men last season — Vardy was often deployed on the right-hand side of midfield — the England international has scored 21 times in 33 appearances this campaign, proving himself a clinical finisher from inside the box. His speed has helped Leicester transition from defence to attack quickly, and his willingness to press from the front and chase down seemingly lost causes has set the tone for the rest of the team.
Games: 33 Goals: 21 Assists: 6
Did you know? Vardy did not play a single minute of professional football until the age of 25.
HARRY KANE
After an outstanding breakthrough season in 2014/15, Kane has been even better for Tottenham Hotspur this year. The 22-year-old striker is leading the Golden Boot race after scoring 22 goals in the Premier League, a record that is even more impressive given that Kane had scored only once until a hat-trick against Bournemouth at the end of October. He has also proven to be adept at linking play and combining with teammates. While Kane is a superb finisher, as evidenced by recent efforts against Arsenal and Liverpool, he offers far more to Tottenham than just goals.
Games: 33 Goals: 22 Assists: 1
Did you know? Kane spent a year at Arsenal's academy at the age of eight.
DIMITRI PAYET
Payet has not only won plaudits for his displays this season but also the hearts of West Ham United supporters, who recognise that their No 27 is that rare type of player who instantly makes the entrance fee worth it. His dazzling blend of trickery, direct dribbling and accurate shooting from range makes him a joy to watch, with West Ham reaping the rewards as they push for a place in the Uefa Champions League. A return of nine goals and eight assists is excellent for a debut Premier League season, but the numbers alone do not really do justice to the magician-like showings of Payet.
Games: 25 Goals: 9 Assists: 8
Did you know? France international Payet was born on the island of Reunion, almost 1000 kilometres east of Madagascar.
MESUT OZIL
Arsenal’s failure to mount a sustained title challenge has been disappointing, but it is right that Ozil has been largely exempt from the criticism directed at Arsene Wenger and his team. The former Real Madrid midfielder has been superb in the No 10 role, racking up 18 assists — he is just two short of the Premier League record set by Thierry Henry in 2002/03 — and playing a division-high total of 104 key passes. Although his form has dipped in the last couple of months, Ozil has enjoyed his best and most consistent season since signing for Arsenal in 2013.
Games: 30 Goals: 6 Assists: 18
Did you know? Ozil turned down the chance to represent Turkey at international level, choosing Germany instead.
N’GOLO KANTE
Vardy has got the goals and Mahrez has supplied the assists, but N’Golo Kante has been just as important as the headline-grabbing pair with his performances in the centre of Leicester’s midfield. No player in Europe’s top five leagues has made as many interceptions or tackles as the 25-year-old midfielder, with Kante also impressing with his driving runs forward with the ball at his feet. Signed for just £5.6 million (Dh29.3m) from Caen in August, the Frenchman looks set to go down as one of the best bargain buys in Premier League history.
Games: 32 Goals: 1 Assists: 3
Did you know? Kante did not start any of Leicester's first three games, with Andy King preferred in midfield.
