In a somewhat surprising turn of events, the Bundesliga has actually been fairly interesting this year. A league that is usually dominated by Bayern Munich, the Bundesliga was known for knowing the champion even before the season. However, as things currently stand, Borussia Dortmund could be just six points behind the Bavarians, should they win their game in hand. Also, a total of four teams are fighting for the coveted fourth spot, including surprise additions in Union Berlin and SC Freiburg. With an exciting season come incredible players, and the Bundesliga has had no shortage of them. On that note, here are three players who could win Bundesliga Player of the Year for 2021-22.

Bundesliga POTY contenders for the 2021-22 season

Florian Wirtz 

A huge reason behind Bayer Leverkusen occupying the third position, with six points more than fourth-placed RB Leipzig, is German youngster Florian Wirtz. Bayer has had some poor seasons in the past few years, most notably the 12th place finish in the 2016-17 season. However, even through some down years, they were always able to produce and cultivate talent. Even though Wirtz was originally from FC Koln, he is another youngster that was given the chance by Bayer Leverkusen and one that should bring them a ton of money in the transfer market. His burst onto the Bundesliga and global football scene has been great to watch and while he made his debut in May of 2020, the last two seasons were especially impressive.

This season specifically, his play has elevated Bayer Leverkusen to a new level. Not only does Wirtz have seven goals from midfield, but he has also been able to get his teammates in good scoring positions. It is to the credit of the entire setup of the club that strikers Patrik Schick and Moussa Diaby have 32 goals to their names this Bundesliga season, but it is really Wirtz that should get most of the credit. He has added 10 assists to his seven-goal tally, but his game is so much more than the pure numbers. He runs, creates chances, always pressures the defense to be on their toes, and generally plays a beautiful and effective type of football. He should be up there in terms of this award.

Marco Reus 

Out of the Borussia Dortmund lineup, it is incredibly rough to ignore Erling Haaland. This man just scores on sight and does not leave any prisoners behind. Yet, due to his injury woes, Haaland will likely not be in contention for the award. However, since Dortmund is having such a good season, they should have a player up there with the best of the best in Germany. Without Haaland, they likely would not be there in second place, but they would not be there without Marco Reus as well. The German now-veteran, who has been with Borussia Dortmund since 2011, is far from his best days but has given us a flashback at times to when he was dominating the Bundesliga.

After a few disappointing seasons, Reus and his team are back in the title race and while Haaland has been scoring the most, he has been supported by Reus. The German winger bagged nine goals in 22 appearances, actually topping his goalscoring tally from last season with 10 games less. There are still a ton of games left in the season and if he can score a few more, Reus could have an even better case to win this award. He also has 11 assists, according to Transfermark, which would put him second in the league, just behind Thomas Muller. If BVB manages to overturn the lead Bayern Munich currently has, Reus would be the frontrunner for this award.

Robert Lewandowski 

Bayern Munich are still the emperors of the Bundesliga and, as such, they could have many contenders to win this award. Thomas Muller, for instance, has seven goals and an incredible 19 assists in 27 games in the Bundesliga this season. Bayern Munich also has the best defense, led by German keeper Manuel Neuer. However, no one can really come close to the Polish striker, Robert Lewandowski. Since coming over from Borussia Dortmund in 2014, Lewandowski bagged an almost uncanny 234 Bundesliga goals for Bayern Munich. 31 of those came this season, and while it feels incredible to say, it is actually a downgrade from last year, when he scored 41 goals in one more game.

However, the reason why Lewandowski should win is not centered around his goalscoring or his team's success. Those are both relevant factors, as Bayern's domination of the Bundesliga brought Lewandowski two of these awards in the past. What should get this award to Lewandowski is his evolution. He still scores goals and tons of them, but he also spends a ton of time on the field linking up play and really being involved, rather than waiting for the chance to pounce. Being able to change a part of your game and still remain lethal, together with the sheer numbers that are incredible and Bayern Munich likely winning the title again, will surely bring Lewandowski a ton of votes for the Bundesliga Player of the Year, third in his career.