Gabriel for Player of the Season? The previous defenders to win the PFA Players’ and FWA awards and what they did to achieve it | OneFootball

Gabriel Magalhaes is currently ranked 9/1 to win the PFA Player of the Season award after a strong start to the season with Arsenal.

It comes after the Gunners stormed to the top of the league, leading second-placed Bournemouth by four points after nine matches.

Much of Mikel Arteta’s side’s success has been their strength in defence, having conceded just three times in all competitions, all of which have come in the Premier League. Gabriel has been at the forefront of the north Londoners’ defensive superiority, and is only behind Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Gunners teammate Bukayo Saka in the running for PFA Player of the Season.

If the Brazilian was to come out on top, he would become the sixth defender in history to win the award. Several more have won the longer running Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year award, and we’ve had a look at the previous defenders to have won each title and what Gabriel might have to do to also earn the honours.

PFA Players’ Player of the Season

Norman Hunter (1973-74)

The first ever recipient of the award after helping Leeds United to win the First Division title. The Lilywhites went the first 29 matches unbeaten as they edged out Liverpool by five points to win their second consecutive league crown. With Hunter in the side, Leeds lost only four matches, whilst conceding a joint league lowest of 31 goals. Only once during the entire 1973-74 season, the second game, did Leeds fall below top spot.

Gary Pallister (1991-92)

In what was the final season of the old First Division, Manchester United defender Pallister was part of the side that found success in the League Cup, but narrowly missed out of league title glory to Leeds on the final day of the season. Pallister, alongside Steve Bruce, led United to the best defensive record that campaign, conceding just 33 times in their 42 matches.

Paul McGrath (1992-93)

Irishman McGrath was a standout in the Aston Villa side that finished runners-up to Manchester United in the inaugural Premier League season. The Villains conceded 40 goals as they rose from seventh to second place under Ron Atkinson. He was the third Villa player to win the award in its history.

John Terry (2004-05)

John Terry celebrates with his Chelsea team-mates (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

An absolute rock in a Chelsea defence that under Jose Mourinho conceded just 15 goals all season, Chelsea captain Terry was influential in the Blues’ first ever Premier League title success, their first league win in 50 years. The west Londoners lost one match all season, with Terry playing 36 times during the league campaign, as well as guiding Mourinho’s side to League Cup success and to the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Virgil van Dijk (2018-19)

Virgil van Dijk celebrates (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

The most recent defender to be receive this award, van Dijk was one of the stars for a Liverpool side that were denied the Premier League title on the final day by Manchester City. The Reds finished the campaign with 97 points, conceding just 22 times and losing once. Despite league glory evading them, Jurgen Klopp’s side secured a first Champions League title in 14 years, with van Dijk also contributing to ten goals in his 50 matches that season.

FWA Player of the Year

Ruben Dias (2020-21)

Man City defender Ruben Dias (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)

The Manchester City centre-back was the last central defender to win the Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year Award back in 2021.

The Portugal international played 32 times in the Premier League to help his side to the title, featuring in 17 league games where his side kept a clean sheet. He also helped Pep Guardiola’s team to the Champions League final, which they lost to Chelsea, as well as winning the EFL Cup.

Steve Nicol (1988-89)

The Liverpool right-back played a key role as his side won the FA Cup, while finishing as runners up in the First Division under Kenny Dalglish.

Kenny Burns (1977-78)

Burns won the award for helping Nottingham Forest to the league and League Cup double. He had previously been a striker but reverted to defence under Brian Clough, a move which proved a masterstroke.

Frank McLintock (1970-71)

McLintock helped Arsenal to a First Division and FA Cup double that season with his rock solid performances at the back and leadership as captain.

Tony Book and Dave Mackay (1968-69)

Right-back Book was named co-winner of the award along with Mackay in the 68/69 season. Book helped Man City to the FA Cup while Mackay helped Derby to the Second Division title, winning the award despite not playing in the First Division.

Jack Charlton (1966-67)

Charlton was crowned winner of the award despite Leeds not winning any silverware that season.

Bobby Moore (1963-64)

Bobby Moore’s statue outside West Ham (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

The legendary West Ham and England defender won the award after helping the Hammers to win the FA Cup.

Syd Owen (1958-59)

Billy Wright (1951-52)

Harry Johnstone (1951-52)

Johnny Carey (1948-49)