Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer joined by Manchester United duo in PFA Young Player of the Year award race
The nominees for the 2024 PFA Young Player of the Year award have now been revealed, with Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United all represented.
The honour is currently held by Gunners star Bukayo Saka, who saw off competition from Erling Haaland, Gabriel Martinelli, Jacob Ramsey, Moises Caicedo and Evan Ferguson to scoop the prize in 2023 after back-to-backs wins for Manchester City’s Phil Foden.
Saka has once again been nominated for the award in 2024 after a stellar season with Arsenal in which he scored 20 goals and registered 14 assists across all competitions to boost their latest Premier League title charge before playing a vital role in England’s run to the final of Euro 2024 in Germany.
The 22-year-old faces stern competition to retain the honour from Cole Palmer, who enjoyed a tremendous debut campaign at Chelsea following a £42.5million switch from Manchester City and has already swept a host of awards after registering 27 goals and 15 assists already at Stamford Bridge.
Manchester United have two players up for the PFA Young Player prize, with Saka and Palmer’s England team-mate Kobbie Mainoo rewarded for a breakthrough campaign in midfield along with Argentine winger Alejandro Garnacho.
The list also features Michael Olise, who shone again for Crystal Palace last term despite injury issues and subsequently earned a £50m move to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich in July.
Also up for the award is Joao Pedro, the Brazilian international who enjoyed a strong maiden season at Brighton after a £30m switch from Watford last summer.
The women’s PFA Young Player of the Year list was also confirmed on Monday morning, with Manchester United’s former Tottenham loanee Grace Clinton joined by Manchester City pair Khiara Keating and Jess Park plus United’s Maya Le Tissier and Chelsea’s Lauren James and Aggie Beever-Jones.
The winners of both awards will be announced during the 51st edition of the PFA Awards ceremony to be held on the evening of August 21.
Nominees for the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award in both the men’s and women’s game will be announced at 9am BST on Tuesday morning, with Haaland and Rachel Daly winning in 2023.
