Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer have been nominated for the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) men’s young player of the year award, while Chelsea’s Lauren James and Manchester City’s Khiara Keating are contenders for the women’s honour.
Saka, who won the award for the 2022-23 season, is on the six-player shortlist after scoring 16 goals and providing nine assists in the Premier League last season.
Chelsea’s James is in the running for back-to-back PFA women’s young player awards, having scored 13 goals in 16 games to help her team win the Women’s Super League.
The award winners will be announced on Tuesday, 20 August.
Palmer’s stellar year, along with Manchester United pair
England forward Palmer, 22, joined Chelsea from Manchester City on 1 September last year and had an excellent Premier League season, contributing to 33 goals, with 22 goals and 11 assists.
He and Saka, also 22, were key players for England during their run to the Euro 2024 final.
Representing Manchester United on the PFA men’s shortlist are Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho, the team’s FA Cup final goalscorers.
Midfielder Mainoo, 19, became an important part of Erik ten Hag’s first team and featured in England’s Euros campaign. He also scored the second goal in Manchester United’s 2-1 FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Winger Garnacho, who scored the first goal in the cup final, was a threat on both flanks for United last season, with the 20-year-old Argentine forward scoring 10 goals in all competitions.
Michael Olise, who moved from Crystal Palace to Bayern Munich in the summer, is also on the PFA list. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder scored 10 goals and provided six assists in 19 league appearances during the 2023-24 season before moving to Germany.
Brighton and Hove Albion’s Joao Pedro completes the nominees. The Seagulls’ 22-year-old Brazilian forward scored 20 goals in all competitions.
Who is rivalling James for women’s young player award?
James, 22, may seem like an outstanding candidate for the women’s young player prize, but her fellow nominees also had remarkable years.
Goalkeeper Khiara Keating, 20, won the WSL’s Golden Glove award after keeping nine clean sheets for Manchester City and conceding the fewest goals in the league.
Also nominated is James’ Chelsea teammate Aggie Beever-Jones, 21, who scored 11 league goals in a breakthrough season and has since made her England debut.
Manchester United defender Maya Le Tissier, who was an ever-present in the league, is among the top six nominees. The 22-year-old also helped United secure a 4-0 victory over Tottenham in the Women’s FA Cup final.
A second Manchester City player, 22-year-old attacking midfielder Jess Park, is recognized for her pivotal role in Gareth Taylor’s side during their title run-in with Chelsea.
Midfielder Grace Clinton is nominated following her impressive season on loan at Tottenham from Manchester United. She scored four goals and provided four assists last term, earning her first England caps due to her outstanding form.
Notably, all six nominees have become integral members of Sarina Wiegman’s England squad.