PFA award nominees announced as Hazard leads the way

Eden Hazard has impressed this season. Credit: PA

The shortlist for the PFA Player of the Year has been announced, with Chelsea duo Eden Hazard and N’Golo Kante leading the way.

With Chelsea expected to win the league, it is thought one of the two will win the prize.

They are joined on the shortlist by Harry Kane, Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Hazard has been the standout player in the Premier League this season, scoring 14 to help Chelsea create a strong lead at the top of the table.

Team-mate Kante is closing on his second title in a row and his energy midfield has made him a key component for Antonio Conte.

Lukaku leads the scoring charts with 23 goals with Kane just behind him on 19, an impressive feat considering the amount of game time he's missed through injury.

Arsenal forward Sanchez has been the driving force behind Arsenal staying in contention for the top four, scoring 18 goals in the process in an overall disappointing season at the Emirates.

While Ibrahimovic is one goal further back in the scoring charts and has shown he had the quality to succeed in the Premier League despite his years.

Lukaku and Kane once again feature on the shortlist for Young Player of the Year.

They're joined by Dele Alli who's come into his own, with 16 goals and five assists, at Spurs this season, as the north London club look to secure second place.

Jordan Pickford and Michael Keane have bought earned England call-ups after proving their worth at Sunderland and Burnley, respectively.

After a slow start to the season, Leroy Sane has become one of the league's most dynamic attackers at Manchester City.

The 44th PFA Awards to be held in the Grosvenor House in London on Sunday 23 April 2017.