Chelsea stars lead nominations for PFA player of the year

Chelsea’s domination of the Premier League this season has seen their two leading lights Eden Hazard and N’Golo Kante nominated for the PFA Player of the year Award.

After a difficult season under Jose Mourinho and interim boss Guus Hiddink, Hazard has returned to his sparkling best with Antonio Conte at the helm and recaptured the form which saw him win the same award during Chelsea’s last title-winning campaign.

The Belgium international already has 14 goals to his name, equaling his personal best for a season, and has registered five assists, thriving with the freedom he has been granted in Conte’s favoured 3-4-3 nomination.

Kante, meanwhile, has been a revelation in his first season at Stamford Bridge following his move from Leicester and looks set to become the first player to win back-to-back Premier League titles with different teams.

The France international has missed only one game so far this season, through suspension, and has provided steel, industry and athleticism at the heart of a Chelsea midfield which protects the second meanest defence in the country.

Elsewhere, Premier League leading goalscorer Romelu Lukaku is nominated alongside fellow forwards Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Alexis Sanchez and Harry Kane.

Kane, who has scored 19 goals during an injury-hit season, is also nominated in the Young Player of the Year Award alongside teammate Deli Alli who has 16 goals to his name from midfield.

Burnley’s Michael Keane, who recently made his senior England debut, Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, Manchester City summer signing Leroy Sane and Lukaku have also been recognised for their stellar seasons.