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PFA awards

Do you agree with the PFA Player of the Year nominees? We profile the contenders and give you the chance to vote and have your say on your winner...

Ramsey but no Henderson? Do you agree with the PFA Player of the Year nominees? Have your say.

The Professional Footballers' Association has announced its nominees for the Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year for 2013/14. Luis Suarez is one of three Liverpool players nominated for the top award, with the Premier League's leading goalscorer this season joined by strike partner Daniel Sturridge and captain Steven Gerrard. Also nominated for the Player of the Year prize are Chelsea forward Eden Hazard, Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure and Southampton's Adam Lallana. Hazard and Sturridge are also nominated for the Young Player of the Year accolade, along with Southampton left-back Luke Shaw, Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey, Everton's Ross Barkley and another Liverpool man, Raheem Sterling. But do you agree with the selections? What about the decision to include Ramsey ahead of the likes of Liverpool's Jordan Henderson? Here, we profile the players in contention and give you the chance to vote for your winner...

PFA PLAYER OF THE YEAR

STEVEN GERRARD
Liverpool's talismanic captain has been at the heart of their title bid and could in May earn a first Premier League winners' medal of his 16-year career. The 33-year-old enjoyed a record-breaking month in October as he became the first Liverpool player to score in 15 successive top-flight campaigns, before adding his 100th Premier League goal against Newcastle United a few weeks later. A hamstring injury sustained early in December saw Gerrard miss the hectic festive period, but he returned to the fore on New Year's Day as Liverpool reignited their title challenge and has featured ever since, making a total of 29 season appearances so far. As one of the most fiercely-contested Premier League campaigns continued to unfold, Gerrard netted twice from the penalty spot as Liverpool beat rivals Manchester United in March; before adding another penalty brace against West Ham - taking his tally to 13 - as Brendan Rodgers' side stormed to the summit with five to play.
LUIS SUAREZ
Should Liverpool lift their first top-flight crown since 1990, much credit will go to Luis Suarez, who HAS written his name in Anfield folklore. After missing the first six matches of the season through suspension, Suarez returned with a bang, scoring six goals - including a hat-trick against West Bromwich Albion - in five matches. The Uruguayan striker continued to terrorise defences throughout the country as he amassed 29 goals in as many appearances, including a four-goal haul against Norwich City and a second hat-trick of the campaign at Cardiff City. Suarez made Liverpool history when he scored against Tottenham Hotspur by becoming the highest individual scorer in a season, beating Robbie Fowler's previous record, as Liverpool took to the top of the Premier League. The 27-year-old, who has claimed man of the match almost half of the games he has played - has also provided 12 assists as Liverpool racked up 93 Premier League goals, with four games left to play.
DANIEL STURRIDGE
Refusing to remain in the shadow of Suarez, Daniel Sturridge has forged a lethal strike partnership with the Uruguayan that has yielded 49 of Liverpool's 93 Premier League goals. The 24-year-old, who has been nominated for both the Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year award, ensured Liverpool made a victorious start to the season, scoring the winner as they won all three of their opening fixtures 1-0. Sturridge went on to flourish alongside his fellow forward and provided seven assists as the dominant Liverpool attack broke down top-flight defences. Between November and February, the England international netted in eight successive games - including a brace in the Merseyside derby - on his way to a tally of 20 goals in his 24 appearances. Sturridge claimed a man of the match award by bagging two goals in a 4-3 win over Swansea City, before adding goals against Cardiff and against Sunderland as Liverpool reached the Premier League summit.
YAYA TOURE
Manchester City's Yaya Toure takes his place in the Player of the Year nominations after powering his side's title push. The Ivory Coast midfielder has notched nearly a goal every two games in all competitions so far this term - 22 strikes in 45 appearances. This includes 18 goals in the top flight, which is three ahead of the club's leading striker - Sergio Aguero. The 30-year-old's worth was also shown when City lifted the Capital One Cup at Wembley. After going behind to Sunderland, Toure notched the equaliser with a sublime long-range strike into the top corner, so providing the platform for Manuel Pellegrini's side to push on and win the silverware. Such is his influence on the star-studded squad, his recent injury in the 2-1 defeat at Liverpool is a massive blow as City go for the title. If Toure was to win, he would create two firsts - the first Manchester City to take the accolade, as well as the first Ivorian.
ADAM LALLANA
Having spent his entire professional career at Southampton, the Premier League has really brought the best out of Adam Lallana. The 25-year-old's meteoric rise from League One winger to England regular has been just reward for loyal service. Now club captain, Lallana has contributed six assists so far this campaign, and would have more if the likes of Rickie Lambert and Jay Rodriguez had converted the 65 keys passes he has provided so far. His stunning strike against Newcastle in Southampton's 4-0 rout of Alan Pardew's team a few weeks ago was testament to his ability, and led his manager, Mauricio Pochettino, to compare the tricky winger to the likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta. The fact that all bookmakers make him a near certainty to be on England's plane for Brazil ahead some more established names shows just how highly Lallana is thought of, and is well worthy of a spot in this elite shortlist.
EDEN HAZARD
Earlier in the season, Edin Hazard would have been everyone's pick for the Player of the Year award as he blew teams away with his wizardly from the flanks. A stunning display at the Etihad helped bring an end to Manchester City's incredible home record in early February, and showed he could cut it against the very best. With Chelsea's misfiring strikers causing boss Jose Mourinho many a sleepless night, Hazard has taken on the goalscoring mantle with aplomb, finding the net 14 times in the league alone, as well as weighing in with seven assists. Without Hazard's goals and creativity, Chelsea's title aspirations would be over by now, and to shoulder such responsibility at such a young age is another feather in the cap for the Belgian, who has been nominated for both the Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year. As results have become more pivotal in such a tightly contested title race, Hazard's role has become much more reserved, with defensive duties just as important. However, as defenders up and down the land with testify, there are very few who have such attacking threat as Hazard, and ability such as he possess certainly is worthy of the highest recognition.

PFA YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR

EDEN HAZARD
Earlier in the season, Eden Hazard would have been everyone's pick for the Player of the Year award as he blew teams away with his wizardly from the flanks. A stunning display at the Etihad helped bring an end to Manchester City's incredible home record in early February, and showed he could cut it against the very best. With Chelsea's misfiring strikers causing boss Jose Mourinho many a sleepless night, Hazard has taken on the goalscoring mantle with aplomb, finding the net 14 times in the league alone, as well as weighing in with seven assists. Without Hazard's goals and creativity, Chelsea's title aspirations would be over by now, and to shoulder such responsibility at such a young age is another feather in the cap for the Belgian, who has been nominated for both the Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year. As results have become more pivotal in such a tightly contested title race, Hazard's role has become much more reserved, with defensive duties just as important. However, as defenders up and down the land with testify, there are very few who have such attacking threat as Hazard, and ability such as he possess certainly is worthy of the highest recognition.
DANIEL STURRIDGE
Refusing to remain in the shadow of Suarez, Daniel Sturridge has forged a lethal strike partnership with the Uruguayan that has yielded 49 of Liverpool's 93 Premier League goals. The 24-year-old, who has been nominated for both the Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year award, ensured Liverpool made a victorious start to the season, scoring the winner as they won all three of their opening fixtures 1-0. Sturridge went on to flourish alongside his fellow forward and provided seven assists as the dominant Liverpool attack broke down top-flight defences. Between November and February, the England international netted in eight successive games - including a brace in the Merseyside derby - on his way to a tally of 20 goals in his 24 appearances. Sturridge claimed a man of the match award by bagging two goals in a 4-3 win over Swansea City, before adding goals against Cardiff and against Sunderland as Liverpool reached the Premier League summit.
RAHEEM STERLING
If there was an award for most improved player then surely Raheem Sterling would be a prime candidate for such an honour. The pacey playmaker endured a slow start to the season, having to make do with a peripheral role in Brendan Rodgers' side. However, despite playing in an unfamiliar left-wing role, the 19-year-old tore Norwich to shreds when given his chance in early December and he has not looked back since. Sterling had made the attacking midfield role his own, and proven against the very best he has what it takes. Arsenal were supposedly serious title contenders when they visited Anfield in early February, but were predicted to have a tough afternoon dealing with the deadly strike duo of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge. Yet everyone forgot about Sterling, as his two goals helped Liverpool prove a real point in their quest for their first Premier League crown. If a player deserves the plaudits, he has do prove it against the toughest opposition, and Sterling's displays against Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham are enough to earn him the accolades.
ROSS BARKLEY
Barkley's nomination caps off a fantastic, breakthrough season with Everton, which could also see him earning a call-up into Roy Hodgson's World Cup squad. After spending periods on loan to Championship outfits Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United last term, the 20-year-old has come of age under new Everton boss Roberto Martinez. The Spaniard has made Barkley an integral part of his plans - and scoring six goals - as Martinez's side push for a place in the UEFA Champions League. Such has been his form, Barkley also earned his first senior England caps - coming on as a substitute in the World Cup qualifier against Moldova and subsequent internationals against Chile and Germany - and he must surely be figuring high in Hodgson's thoughts for the Brazil finals.
AARON RAMSEY
Aaron Ramsey looked a world-class act as his blistering form helped fire Arsenal to the top of the Premier League early season. The 23-year-old was in the form of his life, notching 13 goals in 21 league and cup appearances for Arsene Wenger's side, while also scoring in Wales' World Cup qualifiers against Macedonia and Belgium. These contributions deservedly saw him voted Arsenal's Player of the Month for four consecutive months between August and November. However, a thigh strain in Arsenal's 3-1 Boxing Day win at West Ham saw him miss more than three months of the season, until his welcome return to action earlier in April. If Ramsey had stayed fit, would Arsenal's title charge would have proved successful this term?
LUKE SHAW
After signing a long-term deal with Southampton on turning 18 years old in July, the latest product of the Saints' famous Academy has been a virtual ever-present this term for Mauricio Pochettino's side. The attack-minded left-back has created 27 chances for his team-mates, bringing speed and technical ability as the Saints have taken big-name scalps throughout the season. Like Ross Barkley, Shaw's eye-catching performances led to his first senior England cap - coming on for the second half in England's 1-0 friendly win over Denmark in March - and he too must be a serious contender for Roy Hodgson's World Cup squad. And such are his skills and future prospects, on a domestic level the teenager is being linked with the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea, as well as continental clubs including Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

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