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Who Should Actually Win The PFA Player of the Year

     Six players, one stoic award.

    With the Premier League season now concluded, it is time for the Professional Footballer's Association to award their crowning achievement: the Player of the Year. 

    The 6 man shortlist is dominated by the Manchester clubs, with City having 4 nominees: Portuguese center-half Ruben Dias, Belgium star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, England's rising talent Phil Foden, and veteran German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan. The other two being Tottenham's clinical striker Harry Kane, who took home the Golden Boot with 23 goals, and Manchester United player of the year for the second consecutive season, Bruno Fernandes. 

    The choice is tough; but only one can take home the award. 

    I'll get to the point, I believe that only one player is qualified to take this award home. 

    Ruben Dias? No, while his first season was truly masterful and he looks like the true replacement to the City legend Vincent Kompany, Dias is not deserving of this award, but will be the favorite to win it, seeing as he has already won the FWA Player of the Year. 

    Yes, I do believe a City player will take home this honor, but it still isn't the player you think.

    Ilkay Gundogan deserves this more than anyone. Surprised? Don't be. 

    Gundogan single-handedly carried City through those miserable winter nights through January and February, and when the goal-scorers went A.W.O.L, Gundogan became the clinical finisher. 

    With Sergio Aguero out with an injury, and Gabriel Jesus struggling to find his shooting boots, Gundogan was allowed a free roaming roll in the side, allowing him to find the open space in the 18 yard box to finish. 

    Gundogan was so prolific amongst the City faithful that he was given the nickname, "Mr. Whippy," which, as an American, I still have no idea what that is or means, but it must be good right? 

Back to the point, Gundogan controlled the midfield and the 18 yard box so efficiently, it looked like he was in two places at once and during his transformation from box-to-box midfielder to Gerd Muller, Gundogan racked up 13 goals in the 20/21 campaign, scoring five goals in six games to secure City's spot at the top of the table. 

   Remember, just because Gundogan isn't the biggest name in this shortlist (as a matter of fact, he probably is the least well known), does not mean that his contributions to this team and their title winning season should be written off. 

    Gundogan is obviously a dark horse in this race, but the voters should not overlook his massive contribution to the champions this season, because without him, where would City have finished?  

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