Sky Sports pundit Robbie Savage believes Raheem Sterling deserves to win the PFA Player of the Year award following his outstanding run of form for Manchester City. The England international has been one of the most consistent attackers in the Premier League over the past 21 months and in the current season alone, he has amassed 15 goals and nine assists while plying his trade from a wider position.

In a report covered by Sky Sports, Savage highlighted the effectiveness of the former Liverpool man, who has built his reputation under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, he said: "He has become one of the most effective players in world football. In all competitions for City this season, he has scored 19 goals and supplied 16 assists – an extraordinary individual contribution in a team so breath-taking to watch all over the park."

Despite this, the former Blackburn Rovers star did have some good things to say about Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk, who has been regarded as the pundits’ favourite to bag the award, he quipped: "Van Dijk has looked the best centre-half in the world, and he is the biggest single factor behind Liverpool having the best defensive record in all four divisions."

At the moment, “Van Dijk continues to earn the support for the best player accolade but Sterling would surely not be far behind with the current run of form" . The attacker recently bagged a quick-fire hat-trick during the 3-1 triumph over Watford and he has continued with “the same vein of" form for England, for whom he bagged a maiden treble during the 5-0 rout of Czech Republic.

The result has put England at the top of their Euro 2020 qualification table, and they are surely favourites to reach the competition’s finals. The Three Lions are scheduled to face Montenegro for the second game of the qualification stage this month.