Premier League Player of the Year Power Rankings at Christmas: Haaland and Rice set the pace

As the Premier League hits Christmas with 17 games gone, the shape of the season is starting to form – and so is the Player of the Year race. Arsenal sit two points clear at the top from Manchester City, Aston Villa are right in the mix, and the gap from fourth to 16th is just 10 points. Tight. Brutal. Unforgiving.

With cash splashed across the division and quality everywhere you look, picking stand-out performers hasn’t been easy. But a few names has risen above the rest. From goal machines to midfield generals, this season is already delivering.

At the summit, there’s no surprise. Erling Haaland is once again doing Erling Haaland things. Nineteen league goals already, just one from the spot, and City are still clinging onto the title race largely because of him. The team may not be Guardiola’s most balanced version, but when you’ve got the most ruthless striker in world football, you’re never out of it. Guardiola himself has compared Haaland’s influence to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo – and the numbers back him up.

Just behind him is Arsenal’s heartbeat, Declan Rice. The £100m man has gone from elite to essential. With Gabriel injured, Rice has stepped up again, anchoring the midfield while still delivering danger from set-pieces. Corners, free-kicks, leadership – he’s got the lot. Even his new midfield partner Martin Zubimendi has admitted Rice is driving standards daily.

Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes sneaks into third, despite another turbulent season at Old Trafford. United has been erratic, to put it kindly, but Fernandes remains their creative engine. Seven assists already and only Haaland has more goal involvements. An injury now sidelines him for weeks, and that alone will show just how much United rely on him.

Further down, Antoine Semenyo has been Bournemouth’s breakout star. Eight league goals, constant menace, and interest already circling from the big boys. The Cherries lost major defenders in the summer and was written off by many, but Andoni Iraola’s side keep punching back, with Semenyo leading the charge.

Granit Xhaka’s inclusion at Sunderland still feels surreal, but the impact has been massive. The former Arsenal captain has transformed the Black Cats, adding control, bite and belief. Wayne Rooney called him the signing of the season, and it’s hard to argue. Sunderland fans are suddenly dreaming big.

Morgan Rogers has gone from punchline to problem at Aston Villa. Early-season groans has turned into cheers as the winger keeps smashing in goals, defying the stats and keeping Villa right in the title conversation. Unai Emery wants him “hungry and angry” – and right now, Rogers looks both.

Elsewhere, Gabriel Magalhaes was flying for Arsenal before injury stalled his momentum, Moises Caicedo started strong at Chelsea before a red card slowed the hype, and Phil Foden is quietly rebuilding after a down year by his standards.

Plenty will change between now and May. Injuries, form swings, January moves – it’s all coming. But at Christmas, the message is clear: Haaland remains the man to catch, Rice is Arsenal’s driving force, and the Premier League Player of the Year race is wide open.