Newcastle United: Top 3 contenders for the Magpies’ Player of the Season award

Name: Georginio Wijnaldum
Position: Attacking Midfielder

The club’s top goalscorer this season with nine goals from midfield, the Dutch international is surely a frontrunner to win the player of the year award, whatever happens.

Wijnaldum has certainly impressed in an attacking sense for the Magpies, especially at St James’ Park, and Rafa Benitez might need his attacker to step up to the plate in the coming weeks, if the team from the north east are to evade relegation to the Championship.

Wijnaldum celebrates after scoring against Liverpool. Photo: Simon Stacpoole/Offside.

Name: Ayoze Perez
Position: Forward

Although it hasn’t been a spectacular season for the Spaniard, he is still one of the attacking players that Newcastle fans can expect something a little different from, able to provide a spark if you like.

With Benitez now at the helm, the former Liverpool boss will want some consistent performances from his Spanish compatriot, adding to the six league goals he has netted so far this term.

Name: Rob Elliot
Position: Goalkeeper

Tim Krul started Newcastle’s first eight matches of the season in the Premier League, but after suffering a serious injury, Rob Elliot took over between the sticks and has put in a number of impressive performances, behind what has proved to be a weak backline.

One performance in particular that stands out was the 1-0 win at Bournemouth, where the Irishman almost single-handedly snatched three points for his team.