Last season Thierry Henry took the award, playing his part in Arsenal's magnificent season-long unbeaten run, and the year before it was Manchester United's van Nistelrooy, but in 2004-05 the award seems destined to find its way into the hands of one of the Chelsea Englishmen.

Ahead of Sunday's PFA gala awards night, England Head Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson was drawn into the debate, suggesting the outstanding performances of Terry and Lampard for both club and country should result in an inaugural joint award for the players.

Eriksson, who has witnessed Lampard and Terry's growth from fringe players in the international setup to England mainstays, piled the praise on two men he hopes will be major players in England's bid for World Cup glory next year.

He told the Evening Standard: "I have known both players for a long time and I would say they have one thing in common. They have grown into real big football players."

"They have developed from being young talent into important players at the highest level to the extent that they could now play in any team in the world.

"Frank Lampard was always a big talent at West Ham but I couldn't believe he would have developed into as good a player as he is now.

"The same goes for John Terry. He has improved so much since he began to play for Chelsea and has developed into a very fine young captain.

"Both players have also developed for England and, if we qualify, I believe they will be very important for us in Germany.

"Who would I vote for? Honestly, I couldn't pick one above the other. Seriously, I would share the award this year."

Have your say - click here to link to the England homepage where you can vote for who you think should win the players' player of the year award.