JAMIE CARRAGHER believes title glory could decide which of three stars becomes Premier League player of the year.
Carra named Virgil van Dijk from leaders Liverpool, Declan Rice of second-placed Arsenal and Manchester City’s Phil Foden.
But the Anfield legend reckons there is one major difference between his trio of stand-out performers.
The ex-England defender rates only Foden as replaceable – and that is purely because he also claims City have the strongest squad.
Each of Carragher’s three picks has a special reason for relishing one of the tightest title fights in years.
Van Dijk hopes to ensure Jurgen Klopp’s nine-year reign at Liverpool ends with his second English top-flight crown.
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Meanwhile, Rice is keen to underline his superb first season following a record-breaking summer move from West Ham with his first Prem title.
And Foden is hungry to cap his emergence from out of Kevin De Bruyne’s shadow – while boosting his bid for a key role at Euro 2024 for England.
Carragher wrote in his column for The Telegraph: “We rarely have this situation in the Premier League and it should be savoured, with all three clubs hopefully remaining in contention until the end
“It is a tribute to the way in which Liverpool and Arsenal are run that for all City’s financial advantage, their title wins have been prevented from becoming an annual procession.”
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But he added: “The difference between City, Liverpool and Arsenal is this: take Van Dijk or Rice out of their side, and neither club would be contenders.
“City would still be thriving without Foden. That is a reflection of the depth of their squad rather than intended to downplay his brilliance.”
The Etihad playmaker, 23, is still battling to cement a regular first-choice spot with the Three Lions.
But Carra, 46, said: “I have long championed Foden.
“In terms of pure talent, he is England’s best player, and a break from tradition in terms of what he brings to his club and country.”
Nonetheless, Carragher reckons Rice could be “the final piece of the jigsaw for Arsenal” – after his “bargain” £105million arrival.
He hailed the anchorman for adding “steeliness to the spine” of the Gunners.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
