Gabriel Magalhaes is at the moment ranked 9/1 to win the PFA Participant of the Season award after a robust begin to the season with Arsenal.
It comes after the Gunners stormed to the highest of the league, main second-placed Bournemouth by 4 factors after 9 matches.
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A lot of Mikel Arteta’s aspect’s success has been their power in defence, having conceded simply 3 times in all competitions, all of which have come within the Premier League. Gabriel has been on the forefront of the north Londoners’ defensive superiority, and is just behind Manchester Metropolis’s Erling Haaland and Gunners teammate Bukayo Saka within the operating for PFA Participant of the Season.
If the Brazilian was to come back out on high, he would develop into the sixth defender in historical past to win the award. A number of extra have received the longer operating Soccer Writers’ Affiliation Participant of the 12 months award, and we’ve had a take a look at the earlier defenders to have received every title and what Gabriel may need to do to additionally earn the honours.
PFA Gamers’ Participant of the Season
Norman Hunter (1973-74)
The primary ever recipient of the award after serving to Leeds United to win the First Division title. The Lilywhites went the primary 29 matches unbeaten as they edged out Liverpool by 5 factors to win their second consecutive league crown. With Hunter within the aspect, Leeds misplaced solely 4 matches, while conceding a joint league lowest of 31 objectives. Solely as soon as throughout your complete 1973-74 season, the second sport, did Leeds fall beneath high spot.
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Gary Pallister (1991-92)
In what was the ultimate season of the outdated First Division, Manchester United defender Pallister was a part of the aspect that discovered success within the League Cup, however narrowly missed out of league title glory to Leeds on the ultimate day of the season. Pallister, alongside Steve Bruce, led United to the very best defensive document that marketing campaign, conceding simply 33 occasions of their 42 matches.
Paul McGrath (1992-93)
Irishman McGrath was a standout within the Aston Villa aspect that completed runners-up to Manchester United within the inaugural Premier League season. The Villains conceded 40 objectives as they rose from seventh to second place below Ron Atkinson. He was the third Villa participant to win the award in its historical past.
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John Terry (2004-05)
John Terry celebrates along with his Chelsea team-mates (Picture by Shaun Botterill/Getty Photographs)
An absolute rock in a Chelsea defence that below Jose Mourinho conceded simply 15 objectives all season, Chelsea captain Terry was influential within the Blues’ first ever Premier League title success, their first league win in 50 years. The west Londoners misplaced one match all season, with Terry taking part in 36 occasions in the course of the league marketing campaign, in addition to guiding Mourinho’s aspect to League Cup success and to the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Virgil van Dijk (2018-19)
Virgil van Dijk celebrates (Picture by David Rogers/Getty Photographs)
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The latest defender to be obtain this award, van Dijk was one of many stars for a Liverpool aspect that had been denied the Premier League title on the ultimate day by Manchester Metropolis. The Reds completed the marketing campaign with 97 factors, conceding simply 22 occasions and dropping as soon as. Regardless of league glory evading them, Jurgen Klopp’s aspect secured a primary Champions League title in 14 years, with van Dijk additionally contributing to 10 objectives in his 50 matches that season.
FWA Participant of the 12 months
Ruben Dias (2020-21)
Man Metropolis defender Ruben Dias (Picture by Octavio Passos/Getty Photographs)
The Manchester Metropolis centre-back was the final central defender to win the Soccer Writers’ Affiliation Participant of the 12 months Award again in 2021.
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The Portugal worldwide performed 32 occasions within the Premier League to assist his aspect to the title, that includes in 17 league video games the place his aspect stored a clear sheet. He additionally helped Pep Guardiola’s group to the Champions League last, which they misplaced to Chelsea, in addition to successful the EFL Cup.
Steve Nicol (1988-89)
The Liverpool right-back performed a key position as his aspect received the FA Cup, whereas ending as runners up within the First Division below Kenny Dalglish.
Kenny Burns (1977-78)
Burns received the award for serving to Nottingham Forest to the league and League Cup double. He had beforehand been a striker however reverted to defence below Brian Clough, a transfer which proved a masterstroke.
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Frank McLintock (1970-71)
McLintock helped Arsenal to a First Division and FA Cup double that season along with his rock stable performances on the again and management as captain.
Tony E-book and Dave Mackay (1968-69)
Proper-back E-book was named co-winner of the award together with Mackay within the 68/69 season. E-book helped Man Metropolis to the FA Cup whereas Mackay helped Derby to the Second Division title, successful the award regardless of not taking part in within the First Division.
Jack Charlton (1966-67)
Charlton was topped winner of the award regardless of Leeds not successful any silverware that season.
Bobby Moore (1963-64)
Bobby Moore’s statue outdoors West Ham (Picture by Justin Setterfield/Getty Photographs)
The legendary West Ham and England defender received the award after serving to the Hammers to win the FA Cup.
Syd Owen (1958-59)
Billy Wright (1951-52)
Harry Johnstone (1951-52)
Johnny Carey (1948-49)