Paul Merson supports Chelsea player’s potential for player of the season, saying he has ‘transformed his performance and is now playing with confidence’

Paul Merson is backing a former Chelsea flop as one Premier League star who could be in contention to become the 2023-24 player of the season. 

Manchester City’s Erling Haaland was named the Premier League’s best player for the 2022-23 campaign after his sensational feats scoring a whopping 36 league goals during the season. 

But the race to be crowned the Premier League’s player of the season for the 2023-24 campaign is wide open, with Haaland still a favourite to win the coveted award alongside his team-mates Rodri and Phil Foden, who have both enjoyed some excellent form of late. 

Mohamed Salah currently ranks joint-first as the Premier League’s top goal scorer, with the Egyptian forward and Haaland both on 14 goals each. Meanwhile, Arsenal’s Declan Rice and Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold could also be in the frame. 

Despite that, Merson has named one player he thinks could also be in the mix come the end of the season, claiming Luton’s Ross Barkley could be a ‘player of the season’ contender. 

Erling Haaland (left) was crowned the Premier League’s player of the season for 2022-23

Declan Rice is another player who could be in the running for the player of the season award

The 30-year-old, who has enjoyed spells with Everton, Leeds Aston Villa and Chelsea in the past, departed England for pastures new in 2022, after the London side decided against renewing his contract. 

It came after Barkley had struggled to break into the Chelsea team, featuring just 14 times for the Blues before being released. He would go on to spend the 2022-23 

But this season Barkley has bounced back and has been a standout in midfield for Luton, notably scoring and providing an assist in their 4-4 draw against Newcastle on Saturday. 

‘Ross Barkley is not far off player of the season,’ Merson wrote in his column for Sky Sports. ‘He’s turned it around.’

‘When he went to Chelsea from Everton, I thought it was a good signing. But he didn’t play in the same way, he played too safe and that wasn’t him. He was bought because he can pass and dribble.

‘He’s gone back to expressing himself. He’s been outstanding.’ 

Barkley has been praised for his cool and assured performances at the heart of Luton’s midfield this season that have helped Rob Edwards’ side climb out of the relegation zone. 

While the England international is back to thriving in the top-flight, Merson also predicted that the Premier League newcomers will not be relegated this season.  

‘Luton won’t go down. They have come up and played like they are – Championship players with an unbelievable attitude.

Merson stated that Luton’s Ross Barkley could be a contender for ‘player of the season’ 

The 30-year-old has returned to English football this season after he was released by Chelsea in 2022 

Barkley has been a standout for Luton in midfield this season, with Merson stating he feels the England international can help guide them to safety this season 

‘They have not come up and thought they are Premier League players now and tried to play like them, rolling it around at the back. They have been amazing.

‘Alfie Doughty is a very good player. The goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski makes good saves. Carlton Morris and Elijah Adebayo up front are a proper handful.

‘They run the channels and close people down. Albert Sambi Lokonga has done well since he came in.’

The Hatters currently sit 17th in the table, just one point clear of the relegation zone, having won two and drawn two of their last five league matches.

They’ll take on Sheffield United on Saturday before going on a tough run of games against Man United, Liverpool, Man City and Aston Villa.