Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester City and West Ham United all have representatives in the top six.
The results from HITC Sport’s poll looking for the Premier League’s best player of 2016 are in. But which player was voted by the readers as the star of the calendar year? Here is the top six…
6. Dimitri Payet – West Ham United
Dimitri Payet enjoyed a wonderful 2016, maintaining his position as West Ham United’s talisman. His ability to score goals and create assists out of nothing was a key reason behind West Ham’s success during the first half of the year, and if they are to continue their delayed ascent up the table in 2017, it will surely be his form that will take them there.
5. Riyad Mahrez – Leicester City
Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez
Perhaps surprisingly, the current PFA Player of the Year only finished fifth in the poll to find the best Premier League player of 2016. Though his form has dipped slightly during this current season, Mahrez still remains a focal point for Leicester City.
4. Jamie Vardy – Leicester City
Like Mahrez, it is perhaps a surprise to see Vardy finishing in fourth place. He was instrumental in Leicester’s title win and remains their joint top goalscorer this season.
3. Sergio Aguero – Manchester City
Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero
Sergio Aguero has been sensational during 2016. Though his team have not won the league title during the calendar year and do not currently find themselves at the top of the table, Aguero’s form has deserved another title medal with 27 goals coming in the top flight alone.
2. Harry Kane – Tottenham Hotspur
Harry Kane’s form was a key reason why Tottenham found themselves in a position to challenge for the Premier League title during the early stages of 2016. With little depth up front this term, the pressure has been on him to continue scoring the goals but he has risen to the challenge admirably.
1. N’Golo Kante – Leicester City/Chelsea
Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante
The 25-year-old often initially went under the radar following his arrival at Leicester City from Ligue 1. But the fact that he was part of the Leicester side that won the title and has since become a key part of the Chelsea side that ended 2016 well clear at the top has ensured that his influence no longer goes under the radar.
Kante was nowhere to be seen when the PFA Player of the Year award was put together in the spring, but you can be sure the Chelsea man would be a heavy favourite if the poll was conducted today.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
