6 favourites to be named Young Player of the Year

The 2023/24 season could lengthy be over, however following a busy summer season, the PFA Awards will crown the most effective gamers from the earlier 12 months. There are three Manchester Metropolis gamers up for the principle Gamers’ Participant of the Yr award as they stormed to a fourth successive title, whereas the Younger Participant Award sees six extra nominees go head-to-head, together with Chelsea’s Cole Palmer.

With that, right here is a few essential data forward of the 2024 PFA Younger Participant of the Yr ceremony…

Who gained the PFA Younger Participant of the Yr award in 2023?

Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka picked up the award in 2023 after heading off competitors from the likes of Erling Haaland, Jacob Ramsey, Evan Ferguson and Moises Caicedo. Saka is defending his crown after being nominated as soon as once more this 12 months, although there are many sturdy candidates difficult him.

How previous do it’s a must to be to qualify for the PFA Younger Participant of the Yr award?

Gamers will need to have been 21 or youthful earlier than the 2023/24 season started to be thought-about. The principles have modified in recent times, with gamers aged 23 in the beginning of the season beforehand eligible.

Right here is the record of nominees to be named the PFA Younger Participant of the Yr award in 2024…

6

Joao Pedro

Brighton & Hove Albion

Joao Pedro was a vibrant mild for the Seagulls as Brighton struggled to construct on their preliminary success underneath Roberto De Zerbi on the south coast. It might be argued that his inclusion among the many important nominees was a shock – a long-term damage derailed the Brazilian’s season, and Brighton’s type suffered in his absence.

He additionally shone most brightly within the Europa League, scoring six in six appearances throughout the group stage earlier than lacking Brighton’s last-16 tie in opposition to Roma.

And whereas he turned up in large video games – scoring in opposition to the likes of Manchester United and Spurs final season – it might be stunning if he manages to haul his strategy to award given the competitors in entrance of him.

5

Michael Olise

Crystal Palace

Now at Bayern Munich, it’s clear that Michael Olise’s abilities are set to take him far on the earth of soccer. His ultimate season at Crystal Palace noticed him showcase his expertise as soon as once more, regardless of affected by accidents all through the marketing campaign.

However when match, he nearly all the time had an impression, as demonstrated by recording his greatest Premier League goalscoring 12 months with ten (his earlier greatest was two), in addition to starring for France on their strategy to silver on the Olympic Video games.

4

Kobbie Mainoo

Manchester United

Kobbie Mainoo was the identify on everybody’s lips forward of the summer season after an unbelievable breakthrough season at Manchester United that noticed him barge his method into the England staff and begin the final 4 video games, together with the ultimate.

Final season, he saved the Crimson Devils with emphatic late objectives, which stored Erik ten Hag’s facet within the hunt for a European spot till late on. Most memorably, he capped a positive debut marketing campaign with a objective within the FA Cup ultimate as United grabbed a shock victory over rivals and champions Man Metropolis.

Given his performances did not go unnoticed by the likes of Gareth Southgate, it would not be stunning if loads of his friends thought the identical. No matter occurs, the longer term is actually vibrant for the 19-year-old.

3

Alejandro Garnacho

Manchester United

Manchester United have a lot of thrilling abilities in the intervening time, and Alejandro Garnacho may be the choose of the bunch when he is on prime type.

The Argentinian has made the right-wing place his personal final season, constantly scoring and offering for his teammates over the previous few months. His tally learn ten objectives and 5 assists and he ended his 12 months with a match-winning contribution within the FA Cup ultimate alongside Mainoo.

Away from the home recreation, he additionally loved worldwide success with Argentina at Copa America.

Regardless of this, it might appear a tall order for him to win the award this 12 months, but when his profession continues on its present trajectory, he might be on the shortlist for the principle award earlier than too lengthy.

2

Bukayo Saka

Arsenal

After selecting up the PFA Younger Participant of the Yr award final 12 months, Bukayo Saka is in with an opportunity of a repeat.

The England star spearheaded Arsenal’s push for the title underneath Mikel Arteta, with a really respectable 16 objectives and 9 assists, in addition to 4 objectives and 4 assists in 9 Champions League video games. He additionally established himself as a starter on the worldwide stage for England, scoring an important objective of their quarter-final win over Switzerland earlier than netting within the penalty shootout.

There isn’t any doubt Saka is a top-tier expertise, however securing the Younger Participant award for a second successive 12 months is certainly not a given…

1

Cole Palmer

Chelsea

Whereas successful one other Premier League may have greater than softened the blow, Manchester Metropolis would certainly have had enormous regrets after letting Cole Palmer be part of Chelsea in final 12 months’s summer season switch window.

The English teenager will probably be a giant favorite to raise the award after an impressed Premier League marketing campaign for the Blues, regardless of the Stamford Bridge facet underachieving underneath Mauricio Pochettino – within the homeowners’ eyes, at the least.

Palmer grabbed 27 objectives and 15 assists in all competitions, which included a spell of ten objectives and two assists inside 5 top-flight video games. He was even briefly in Golden Boot rivalry having scored as many as Erling Haaland by late April.

He ended his season by taking part in an integral half for England on their journey to the European Championship ultimate, throughout which his equaliser was not sufficient to cap a outstanding marketing campaign with much-deserved silverware.

His impression for Chelsea will certainly have made a lot sit up and take discover, and he’ll give Saka greater than a run for his cash because the Younger Participant of the Yr is revealed on the night of Tuesday twentieth August.