article: It's that time of the season when Premier League footballers cast their vote for the PFA Players’ Player of the Year. Last year’s winner Luis Suarez now resides in Spain, so, too, does 2013 victor Gareth Bale. It means we’re almost certain to see a new name on the trophy come May. Here, Sportsmail runs you through the six leading contenders… . Name: Harry Kane . Club: Tottenham . Age: 21 . Stats: Apps 44, Goals 29 . Striker Harry Kane has hit an astonishing 29 goals in 44 games for Tottenham so far this season . Kane (second right) has twice been named Player of the Month during his breakthrough campaign . Kane (left) broke into the England squad and scored 79 seconds into his debut against Lithuania . Reasons he deserves it: Very few would have predicted Kane would plunder an incredible 29 goals by early April in what is essentially his breakthrough season. His has been the name on everyone’s lips since the turn of the year and last month’s England call-up was thoroughly deserved. In an age where diving, spitting, lying and cheating too often dominate our news agenda, Kane’s goal-laden arrival has been a joy to witness. Reasons he doesn’t: Are there any? You could argue it took him until November to score two Premier League goals but that was as much to do with a lack of opportunities. Previous (individual) Premier League honours: Player of the Month (2) Name: Eden Hazard . Club: Chelsea . Age: 24 . Stats: Apps 44, Goals 17 . Eden Hazard has been Chelsea's outstanding performer, scoring 17 times in 44 games . Hazard (left) has been a menace to opponents all season with his trickery and high workrate . Hazard (centre) is the odds-on favourite to be named PFA Players' Player of the Year . Reasons he deserves it: He’s running back into form at just the right time and his goals look like they’ll edge Chelsea towards the title. Hazard, under the instruction of Jose Mourinho, has married graft to his craft and has been his side’s outstanding player this season. The fact he works so hard in addition to his creativity is sure to earn the respect of fellow pros and it’s no surprise he is the odds-on favourite for the prize. Reasons he doesn’t: Like Kane, it is hard to make an argument against a player who has performed at such a high level on a consistent basis. It did, however, take the Belgian a little while to find his scoring stride and he netted just once in the opening nine matches of the campaign. Previous honours: PFA Young Player of the Year 2014, PFA Team of the Year 2013 & 2014 . Name: Diego Costa . Club: Chelsea . Age: 26 . Stats: Apps 30, Goals 18 . Reasons he deserves it: His immediate impact was sensational, smashing seven goals in his first four outings. His presence as the spearhead of Chelsea’s attack has turned them into title winners and he isn’t afraid to put in a shift either. Diego Costa has spearheaded Chelsea's attack this season, with 18 goals in 30 appearances . Costa (right) fires in the winner for Chelsea in their 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Anfield . Costa's bid to become Player of the Year could be hampered by the games he has missed through injury . Reasons he doesn’t: He’s missed too many games because of injury, as well as suspension, and is too often on our back pages for the wrong reasons. It is that edge which will probably dissuade fellow pros from voting for the Spaniard. Previous honours: Player of the Month (1) Name: Sergio Aguero . Club: Manchester City . Age: 26 . Stats: Apps 31, Goals 23 . Reasons he deserves it: Without his goals City’s title challenge would have faded long ago. It has been a poor season at the Etihad. Aguero, though, has managed to mask those shortcomings with his brilliance. His four goals against Spurs and match-winning treble versus Bayern Munich are among the best individual performances of the season. Meanwhile, he was so devastating during his two-goal show at Sunderland that the home crowd rose to applaud the Argentine when he made way late on. Sergio Aguero has again been in prolific scoring form for Manchester City, blasting 23 goals in  31 matches . Aguero (right) has struggled with fitness and has only managed to score three times in the league in 2015 . Reasons he doesn’t: If Aguero managed to avoid what are all-too-frequent visits to the treatment room then City might be pushing Chelsea harder for the league title. He only has three league goals in 2015 and, while his numbers remain impressive, that lack of consistency will cost him votes. Previous honours: Player of the Month (2) Name: David de Gea . Club: Manchester United . Age: 24 . Stats: Apps 37, Clean sheets 13 . David de Gea (left) has been outstanding for Manchester United with 13 clean sheets this season . De Gea shone for United in the early part of the Premier League campaign when United struggled for form . De Gea's displays have been integral to United's top-four charge and he has been their best player . Reasons he deserves it: Only De Gea was spared criticism as United struggled to find their rhythm during the early part of the season. Indeed, there was an argument that, without his points-saving heroics, Louis van Gaal might have come under pressure far sooner. He has matured into the goalkeeper Sir Alex Ferguson thought he would and it is little wonder he is now being courted by the likes of Real Madrid. Reasons he doesn’t: Only the goalkeeper in a title-winning side would land the PFA prize, you feel. For while De Gea has been United’s best player, he has not single-handedly done enough to turn them into challengers for the Premier League crown. Previous honours: PFA Team of the Year 2013 . Name: Alexis Sanchez . Club: Arsenal . Age: 26 . Stats: Apps 43, Goals 20 . Alexis Sanchez hit the ground running at Arsenal following his Barcelona switch, with 20 goals in 43 games . Sanchez hit 14 goals in 18 appearances during his most relentless scoring period this season . Chile international Sanchez has added greater aggression to Arsenal's attacking line with his arrival . Reasons he deserves it: There was a suspicion it would take the Chilean time to settle in the Premier League. Well, he didn’t score in his first four matches but then embarked on a run which yielded 14 in 18. His energy, aggression and will to win – coupled with bags of quality – has made all to the difference to an Arsenal side previously lacking in such vigour. Reasons he doesn’t: His goals have dried up since January and his awesome autumn could well be forgotten by the time votes are cast. However, he is still a certainty for Arsenal’s individual annual honours. Previous honours: Player of the Month (1) Name: Jordan Henderson . Club: Liverpool . Age: 24 . Stats: Apps 45, Goals 7 . Reasons he deserves it: He has emerged as Liverpool’s future captain having taken on responsibility in the centre of the park. Henderson barely misses a minute and is now a certain starter for his country – not bad for a player who Sir Alex Ferguson said could not run properly. He’s also added goals to his game and is a real pro’s pro – it would be no surprise to see him land his fair share of the votes. Jordan Henderson (centre) has continued his development into an essential player for Liverpool this season . Henderson emerged as Liverpool's future captain with Steven Gerrard (right) leaving at the end of the season . Henderson has added more goals to his game and has been ever present throughout Liverpool's campaign . Reasons he doesn’t: It hasn’t been a vintage year for Liverpool and their bid for Champions League football looks set to end in failure. As good as Henderson has been, this will almost certainly cost him the top prize. Previous honours: None . VERDICT: If the bookies are to be believed then the award will be going to last season’s Young Player of the Year, Eden Hazard. However, don’t underestimate the amount of goodwill there is towards Harry Kane within the game and he could well clean up with both the young and senior prizes. And that Roy of the Rovers tale would be a victory for everything we love about the game. Kane certainly gets my vote!
highlights: Premier League footballers are voting for PFA Players' Player of the Year .
  Eden Hazard and Harry Kane are the leading candidates for the award .
  Sergio Aguero, Alexis Sanchez and David de Gea are also contenders .
  Luis Suarez won last year with Gareth Bale taking the prize the year before .
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