Spring is now here and with the Premier League season drawing to its climax, its stars will soon vote on who they think has been the standout player this campaign.
In April two awards shortlists will be revealed by the Professional Footballers' Association: one for their Player's Player of the Year and one for the Players' Young Player of the Year.
Here Sportmail's reporters give their verdicts on who should win both awards.
SAMI MOKBEL
Player of the year: Raheem Sterling
Not just for the quality of his football for Manchester City - which has been phenomenal, of course. But for his emergence as a role model English football should be proud of.
Young player of the year: Declan Rice
Hard to believe the kid is just 20. West Ham's emerging star is the most complete young central midfielder in the country right now.
DOMINIC KING
Player of the year: Virgil van Dijk
The best central defender Liverpool have had since the days of Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson. It’s not just his own form that has been so good, it’s what he’s done to help the others around him. He’s Liverpool’s master and commander and nobody in the Premier League has matched his consistency. He edges out Sergio Aguero, who is arguably the best striker in Europe.
Young player of the year: Raheem Sterling
The criteria for this award is that a candidate must be 23 or under at the start of the season. Sterling didn’t turn 24 until December so, with that in mind, it is an open and shut case. Sterling will be in the running for the top honour, which makes him odds-on to win this. He has been absolutely brilliant.
RIATH AL-SAMARRAI
Player of the year: Virgil van Dijk
He pretty much transformed a team. A superb player and demonstrably effective in just about every game. Defenders have a harder job standing out than strikers but he has been immense.
Young player of the year: Marcus Rashford
After prolonged doubts over whether he could find himself as a Manchester United player, he has done just that. Still not convinced by his efficiency in front of goal but he's made big steps forward. At 21, time is on his side.
JACK GAUGHAN
Player of the year: Raheem Sterling
His numbers keep stacking up - this will be Sterling’s best season as a professional - and he leads the goal contributions chart alongside Sergio Aguero, Eden Hazard and Mohamed Salah. Has a huge influence on how Manchester City play and takes responsibility when the chips are down.
Young player of the year: Trent Alexander-Arnold
All the talk at Liverpool is of Virgil van Dijk. But Alexander-Arnold, still only 20, is already one of the finest right backs in the country.
JOE BERNSTEIN
Player of the year: Raheem Sterling
Either him or Virgil van Dijk would be worthy winners but given City are going for the Quadruple and Sterling has been their main man, it seems churlish to ignore him. Goals, assists, his work-rate AND strength for a creative player is fantastic.
Young Player of the Year: James Maddison
He’s an irritant and has a dive in his locker but the talent is obvious, and his confidence is impressive in a debut Premier League season. Even at the age of just 20 he is good enough to replace Christian Eriksen at Spurs - and both clubs could make £50million on the deals.
MATT BARLOW
Player of the year: Virgil van Dijk
By virtue of the difference he has made to his team. His commanding presence has transformed Liverpool into a strong defensive unit and gives him the vote ahead of various Manchester City players led by Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva.
Young Player of the Year: Trent Alexander-Arnold
Accomplished and improving with every game. Quick and athletic with poise and exemplary delivery from wide areas, he has edged it among lots of exciting young talent emerging from English academies.
MIKE KEEGAN
Player of the year: Raheem Sterling
What. A. Player. The talent has never been in question but now Sterling has the composure to match there is no stopping him. Deserves to be talked about among the world’s elite. With no exaggeration, could become one of England’s all-time greats.
Young player of the year: James Maddison
Unfortunate to miss out on the latest England squad but surely a fixture in years to come. Shows maturity beyond his years and has that priceless ability to unlock defences. By the way - if Brendan Rodgers can make a couple of shrewd acquisitions in the summer don’t bet against Leicester gatecrashing the top six next season with Maddison playing a key role.
ROB DRAPER
Player of the year: Raheem Sterling
I’m a traditionalist. I like the Football Writers’ Association criteria for their player-of-the-year award, which includes how a player conducts himself off the pitch. Great cases could be made for Sergio Aguero and Virgil van Dijk. But Sterling has been their equal on the pitch and there hasn’t been any player for years who has made such an impact off the pitch in terms of his leadership on racism, which has made a real impact on society and the media. This is Sterling’s year.
Young player of the year: David Brooks
Obviously the young English player of the year is Jadon Sancho. In terms of the Premier League, you could go for Trent Alexander-Arnold on age. But his breakthrough was really last season. So I'll opt for Brooks, who is 21, as he won’t get many votes because all the good things he’s doing happen down on the south coast at Bournemouth and he’s Welsh, unlike James Maddison at Leicester, who would also be in the frame. Following his move from Sheffield United last summer, Brooks is quietly building a case to be a Premier League star. And, like Maddison, he is proving that the Championship is once again an incubator of young talent.
