As the Premier League season draws to a close, members of the Professional Footballers Association are casting their votes, for who they wish to see as the ‘PFA player of the year’. This year’s award is somewhat different to previous years, as there seems to be no clear cut winner. So who are the main contenders?

Luis Suarez. Love him or hate him, he’s a bit like Marmite. He’s a player who’s had his fair share of controversies, whether it’s the Patrice Evra incident, the handball in the FA Cup third round against Mansfield, or his reputation as a ‘diver’. However there is no doubting this mans pure footballing ability, which his performances this season have reflected- and after all this is what the award is judged upon.

Luis Suarez’s performances for Liverpool this season have been nothing short of sublime. His whole game, has improved since the arrival of Brendan Rogers, most notably his shooting accuracy, and he now looks an even hungrier goal scoring machine.

His incredible run of 22 goals in the Premier League this season, has dragged Liverpool up the table, and whilst its fair to say that other players have contributed to the clubs league position, Suarez has been streaks ahead of the rest of his teammates.

Not only has the Uruguayan striker become a more prolific goalscorer, he has also become a more complete player, who; creates chances for his team mates, runs without fear at defenders, controls the ball almost anywhere on the pitch, and plays to the best of his ability in whatever role is given to him.

He’s undoubtedly one of the most coveted players in Europe, and it’s easy to see why. With many years still left in him and a hunger to win like he has, Liverpool will hope they can keep hold of their key man, who this season, has shown what it takes to be one of the very best strikers in Europe.

During the early stages of his Tottenham career Gareth Bale was viewed as somewhat of a curse for Spurs. His record of 24 losses in 24 appearances, spread over three seasons, before finally being in a winning Tottenham side, perhaps did not signal the best start to his career at the North London club. However, his breath-taking second half performance at the San Siro against Inter Milan in October 2010, where he scored a sensational second half hat-trick, really kickstarted his Spurs career and established himself firmly on the European stage.

Since that extraordinary night in Milan, Bale has not looked back. His performances in the Premier League over the last couple of seasons under Harry Redknapp, showed signs that Bale was turning into the player that Tottenham had dreamt of when they purchased the then left-back from Southampton, in May 2007, aged 17.

However this seasons performances under new manager Andre Villas-Boas have brought the Welsh winger to an entirely new level, with the Tottenham star being linked with moves to Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Manchester United.

Bale has looked every bit Tottenham’s superstar this season, his goals and jaw dropping performances have seen Tottenham keep pace in the running for a Champions league place at the end of the season. The Welsh wizard is the Premier Leagues third top scorer with 17 goals this season, which is not a bad return for a left-sided midfielder.

Not only has his goal scoring form been impressive, Bale has also developed the confidence to run freely at the defenders, leaving even the best defenders in the league with “twisted blood”, to quote Sir Alex, talking about another famous Welsh winger. There’s no doubt that Tottenham fans will be praying that they can keep hold of Bale this summer- thats if he wants to leave Tottenham. Perhaps it would be more beneficial for him to stay at White Hart Lane, where he is much loved and adored by the fans, and able to develop even further into one of Europe’s biggest talents.

Robin Van Persie. Last years PFA player of the year, at Arsenal. He moved to Manchester United for 24 million last summer, and has been an instant success at Old Trafford, scoring 19 league goals, to help steer United 15 points ahead of 2nd placed Manchester City in the table. The former Arsenal hit-man has had a prolific first season in Manchester,  and he’s been relatively injury free, which has had a profound effect on his confidence.

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