Rio Ferdinand Picks His Favourites For The PFA Player Of The Year Award

Rio Ferdinand has picked out Jordan Henderson as one of the leading contenders for the PFA Player of the Year, though he doesn't believe Virgil van Dijk should win the prize for the second year on the trot.

England midfielder Henderson is on the verge of captaining Liverpool to their first league title in 30 years and has already been earmarked as the favourite to be crowned Player of the Year.

Former Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand thinks Henderson should be right in the mix alongside Liverpool's Sadio Mane, who has 11 goals and six assists .

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No one deserves to be PFA Player of the Year more than Jordan Henderson. Nearly left for Fulham back in 2012, fast forward 8 years later and he is about to captain us to Premier League glory. A fitting ending for a player who has come so far in his career. My fucking captain.

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He also mentioned Leicester City's Jamie Vardy, who is the leading goalscorer with 17 goals, and Kevin De Bruyne, who tops the assist charts with 15 in the league so far this term.

Image: PA

"I think Jordan Henderson has been very good," Ferdinand told The Mirror.

"I think Mane has been my favourite player when I watch Liverpool if I'm honest.

"When I watch Liverpool he's the person who gets me off my seat more than anyone. He'd definitely be up there.

"Vardy's been good, scoring those goals. Kevin De Bruyne - when you watch him he just purrs. So there's a few names there."

Van Dijk, who finished second in the Ballon d'Or rankings, has been imperious once again for runaway leaders Liverpool, helping Jurgen Klopp's side concede just 15 goals.

But while Ferdinand is a huge admirer of his fellow centre-back, he doesn't think he should win the award this time around.

Image: PA

He added: "I think he [Van Dijk] is undoubtedly the best defender in the world, the best centre-back in the world now.

"He'd get my vote for best defender, best centre-half, but he wouldn't get my vote for Player of the Year. I think there's a few other people probably vying for that accolade.

"But he has been tremendous. I think he's a fantastic footballer. Calm, cool, collected, strong, quick. All the attributes you'd want in a modern day player.

"And he carries himself very well - I love the way he carries himself."

Topics: Football News, Football, Premier League, Virgil Van Dijk, Rio Ferdinand, Jordan Henderson

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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