Brentford and Cameroon forward Bryan Mbeumo says it feels “crazy” to have been nominated for the Premier League’s player of the season award.
Mbeumo is one of eight players on the shortlist for the award, with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, who leads the top-flight scoring charts, chief among the other contenders.
Salah’s team-mates Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch, Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White and Chris Wood, Newcastle striker Alexander Isak and Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice round off the list.
“I didn’t really expect it,” Mbeumo told BBC Sport Africa.
“I know I have [had] a good season, but I was surprised when I’ve seen my name there.”
The 25-year-old continued from where he left off last season, scoring 18 goals and providing seven assists in 36 league outings for the Bees, who are chasing a place in European competition for the first time.
Mbeumo joined Brentford from Troyes in August 2019 and has played a vital role in turning the west London club from a Championship side into contenders for a European spot.
“This club bring me everything,” Mbeumo said.
“They gave me confidence, and I feel very happy to achieve this season here. With the group we have, it is just such a good life here.
“Players other than me could have deserved a nomination as well. That shows that the club is improving a lot.”
He has netted 40 Premier League goals in all, making him Brentford’s second-highest goalscorer since promotion.
The Bees sit eighth in the table – a finish which could secure a place in the Europa Conference League next season – and boss Thomas Frank is in the running for the Premier League manager of the year award.
Mbeumo will hope to propel Brentford to a win when they host Fulham at the Gtech Community Stadium.
