Nigeria, June 21 -- The annual PFA Player of the Year nominations are out, and as always, they stir the pot of opinion, leaving many of us scratching our heads. While it's a privilege to be recognized by one's peers, this year's shortlist for the 2024/2025 season feels less like a celebration of consistent excellence and more like a mixed bag of the truly deserving and those who, frankly, are just along for the ride. Let's not mince words: this award should be a testament to individual brilliance that fundamentally shifts the needle for their team, not a pat on the back for a decent showing in a turbulent season.

The very essence of the PFA award lies in recognizing the player who has stood head and shoulders above the rest, a beacon of ...