Who is the player of the year? And who is the young player of the year? Here is who should win …

Spring has now come and with the Premier League season drawing to a close, its stars will soon be voting for who they say has been the most outstanding player in this campaign.

In April, the Association of Professional Footballers will unveil two selections of rewards: one for the player of his year player and the other for the young player of the year.

Right here, Sportmail the journalists give their verdict on who should win both prizes.

SAMI MOKBEL

Player of the year: Raheem Sterling

Not only for the quality of his football for Manchester City – which was phenomenal, of course. But for its emergence as a model, English football should be proud.

Young player of the year: Declan Rice

Hard to believe that the young man is only 20 years old. The emerging star of West Ham is currently the country's most complete young central midfielder.

DOMINIC KING

Player of the year: Virgil van Dijk

Liverpool's best central defender since Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson. It's not just his own form that's been so good, it's what he's done to help others around him. He is the master and commander of Liverpool and no one in the Premier League has equaled his consistency. He is ahead of Sergio Aguero, 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 years of age or younger at the start of the season. Sterling did not celebrate his 24th birthday until December. It is therefore an open and closed case. Sterling will be in the running for the highest honor, allowing him to win this victory. He was absolutely brilliant.

RIAT AL-SAMARRAI

Player of the year: Virgil van Dijk

He has almost transformed a team. A superb and efficient player in almost every game. The defenders have more difficulties than the strikers but it has been huge.

Young player of the year: Marcus Rashford

After long doubting that he could end up as a Manchester United player, that's what he did. Not yet convinced by his efficiency in front of goals but he has made great strides forward. At 21, time is on his side.

JACK GAUGHAN

Player of the year: Raheem Sterling

His numbers continue to accumulate – this will be Sterling's best season as a professional – and he is at the top of the table of contributions to goals alongside Sergio Aguero, Eden Hazard and Mohamed Salah. Has a huge influence on how Manchester City plays and takes responsibility when the chips are down.

Young player of the year: Trent Alexander-Arnold

The whole conversation in Liverpool is by Virgil van Dijk. But Alexander-Arnold, who is only 20 years old, is already one of the best sidebacks in the country.

JOE BERNSTEIN

Player of the year: Raheem Sterling

He or Virgil van Dijk would be worthy winners, but since City wants to quadruple and Sterling is his main man, it seems foolish to ignore him. His goals, his helpers, his pace of work AND his strength for a creative player are fantastic.

Young player of the year: James Maddison

It's an irritating and plunging trap, but the talent is obvious and his confidence is impressive in his first season in the Premier League. Even at the age of 20, he is good enough to replace Christian Eriksen at Spurs – and both clubs could earn £ 50 million on transactions.

MAT BARLOW

Player of the year: Virgil van Dijk

Because of the difference he has made to his team. His imposing presence turned Liverpool into a strong defensive unit and gave him the right to vote in front of several Manchester City players led by Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva.

Young player of the year: Trent Alexander-Arnold

Accomplished and improving every game. Fast and athletic, with composure and exemplary performance in many areas, he ranked him among many exciting young talents from English academies.

MIKE KEEGAN

Player of the year: Raheem Sterling

What. A player. The talent has never been questioned, but now Sterling has the coolness that he does not care, nothing stops him. Deserves to be discussed among the world's elite. Without exaggeration, could become one of the greatest players of all time in England.

Young player of the year: James Maddison

Too bad not to be able to count on the last English team but surely an event in the years to come. Demonstrates maturity beyond his years and has this invaluable ability to unlock defenses. By the way, if Brendan Rodgers can make some clever acquisitions this summer, do not bet against Leicester, who manages to beat the top six next season with Maddison playing a key role.

ROB DRAPER

Player of the year: Raheem Sterling

I am a traditionalist. I like the criteria of the Football Writers' Association for their player award of the year, which includes how a player behaves off the field. Great cases could be made for Sergio Aguero and Virgil van Dijk. But Sterling is their equal on the field and no player for years has had such an impact on his leadership in the fight against racism, which has had a real impact on society and the media. It is the year Sterling.

Young player of the year: David Brooks

obviously the The young English player of the year is Jadon Sancho. As for the Premier League, you can choose Trent Alexander-Arnold because of his age. But his breakthrough was really last season. So I'm going to opt for 21-year-old Brooks because he will not get a lot of votes because all the good things he does happen on the south coast in Bournemouth and he's Welsh, unlike James Maddison in Leicester, who would also be in the frame. After leaving Sheffield United last summer, Brooks is preparing a case to become a Premier League star. And, like Maddison, he proves that the championship is again an incubator of young talents.