Top 5 contenders for PFA Player of the Year

A blend of new signings, rising stars, and familiar faces make up the list of players in contention to win this season's PFA Player of the Year award.

It's not far-fetched to think a majority of football supporters might have struggled to name more than a few Leicester City players when the season kicked off. Now, it's close to impossible to come up with a list of PFA candidates without at least two players from the Premier League leaders.

As the season winds down with just over a handful of games remaining, there's little doubt which players deserve to succeed Eden Hazard as the the league's top performer.

Before the official short list for the coveted award is released in April, here's theScore's take on which players deserve to be nominated:

Riyad Mahrez - Leicester City

The Premier League is more than seven months old, and defenders still can't contain Riyad Mahrez.

Mahrez has become a household name in England thanks to the combination of world-class footwork, vision, and lethal finishing that's helped Leicester City surge up the standings and maintain its place atop the Premier League mountaintop.

Whether he's baffling defenders with his long-range passes or applying the perfect English to curve shots around opponents, the end result is often one that leaves Leicester fans in a frenzy and prolongs the most riveting season in recent memory. - GB

Jamie Vardy - Leicester City

The breakout story of the season is undoubtedly Jamie Vardy's journeyman tale. He went on an 11-game scoring run to set a new Premier League record and he could yet lift the coveted domestic title as Leicester City's top scorer.

He is tireless. Vardy didn't even have to sit out all that long after minor groin surgery. He missed just one match in January, and he was back to scoring goals by the end of the month.

When he isn't, he is fooling defenders with his pace and setting up teammates. His six assists currently rank highest among Premier League strikers. - AL

Mesut Ozil - Arsenal

Doubts over Mesut Ozil's ability to live up to the gargantuan price tag Arsenal paid Real Madrid for him were put to rest in the opening months of his third season in England's top flight.

While Arsenal appears unlikely to collect silverware, the German international has a chance to win a trophy as he edges closer to breaking the Premier League's assists record (20) after accumulating 18 with eight matches remaining.

Although he's tailed off since a blistering stretch earlier in the season - seven assists in five matches - when it seemed every Arsenal goal could be traced back to a pass from Ozil, the playmaker remains a justifiable candidate to walk away with the individual honour. - GB

Dimitri Payet - West Ham

A £10.7-million signing this summer, Dimitri Payet has turned into the bargain of the year. He is the central cog of the surprising West Ham machine, keeping it running up the Premier League. The Hammers are close to a Champions League spot for many reasons, but Payet gives them the belief they are among the big clubs.

Apart from his eight goals and eight assists in the Premier League, the 29-year-old Frenchman has brought an identity to the team. West Ham is now playing to win every game, and the supporters know they finally have a superstar to rival their London counterparts.

"As for the PFA award, he is a player that has been here for such a short time, but he has made a strong impact," said manager Slaven Bilic. "He is a goal-scorer, a very attractive player, doing things on the pitch that are lifting you out of your seat." - AL

Harry Kane - Tottenham

After a slow start to the campaign, Tottenham forward Harry Kane has surged to the top of the Premier League scoring table. His 21 goals lead the league, with 17 of them coming inside the penalty area. But Kane has also proven his skill from long distance, scoring a massive goal against Arsenal at White Hart Lane by virtue of an acute curling effort.

It's also not uncommon to see Kane clearing a corner kick in his own end or tracking back to help out the defence.

"He's not only our top scorer, he also works very hard for the team - and for that he is a very special player," said manager Mauricio Pochettino. - AL

Honourable mentions: Romelu Lukaku (Everton), N'Golo Kante (Leicester City), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)