Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer back Declan Rice for PFA Player of the Year
Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer have backed Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice to win the PFA Player of the Year award ahead of David Raya and Bruno Fernandes.
The former England strikers revealed their preference during the latest episode of the Rest is Football podcast.
Co-host Micah Richards originally suggested Gunners goalkeeper Raya should take the honour following a string of crucial performances.
However, the Premier League’s all-time top scorer Shearer quickly disagreed, stating his preference for the combative midfielder.
“Declan Rice for me.”
Lineker echoed the sentiment, admitting a personal bias against selecting shot-stoppers for the prestigious individual accolade.
“Yeah, I think I’d go Declan. I can’t… I just haven’t got it in me to vote for a goalkeeper.”
Arsenal and Manchester United dominate award discussions
Mikel Arteta’s side currently sit four points clear of Manchester City at the Premier League summit with two games remaining.
Their title charge has been heavily reliant on defensive solidity, with the Spanish goalkeeper securing his 18th clean sheet of the campaign against West Ham.
A crucial weekend save to deny Mateus Fernandes ensured the north London outfit secured a vital 1-0 victory courtesy of Leandro Trossard.
Meanwhile, Manchester United are on the verge of cementing third place in a remarkable turnaround from their 15th-placed finish last term, despite a recent Europa League final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
Bruno Fernandes leads the bookmakers’ odds
Despite the podcast hosts’ agreement on Rice, the Red Devils captain remains the betting favourite after recently securing the FWA Player of the Year.
The Portuguese playmaker has been instrumental for the Old Trafford side, registering a staggering 19 assists across the league season.
He requires just one more to equal the all-time Premier League record of 20 with only two fixtures left to play.
Rice is currently listed as the second favourite, while Manchester City duo Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva remain firmly in contention.
Further down the betting markets, Bournemouth’s 19-year-old forward Eli Junior Kroupi has emerged as an outside contender after netting 12 league goals in his debut English season.