Eight players have been nominated for this year’s Premier League Young Player of the Season award.
Players who begin the season aged 23 or under are eligible for this annual prize, which has been given out since 2019/20 when it was won by Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold.
It was Chelsea’s Cole Palmer who picked up the award last season, and the Blues midfielder is vying to become the second player to retain the crown after Phil Foden’s back-to-back wins between in 2020/21 and 2021/22.
The campaign may have ended in relegation for Ipswich Town, but striker Liam Delap undoubtedly gave a strong account of himself. He has struck 12 times for the Tractor Boys, earning glances of admiration from the majority of the Premier League’s elite. He is the first nominee to ever represent a relegated side.
There was plenty of Nottingham Forest representation in the Player and Manager of the Season shortlists, and Anthony Elanga is flying the flag here as well. His ten assists put him among the division’s most prolific creators this season, but the 23-year-old has chimed in with six goals of his own as well.
On the subject of the other shortlists, Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch follows his Player of the Season nomination with a run for the Young Player prize. A vital cog in Arne Slot’s midfield, the Dutchman has reinvented himself in a deeper role, proving to be a defensive force at the heart of a title-winning midfield.
Just hours after news of a likely move to Real Madrid emerged, Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen earns himself a spot on the shortlist. The towering Spaniard has enjoyed an elite debut campaign with the Cherries and will hope to end what appears set to be his only season with the club by lifting this trophy.
Cole Palmer won last year’s award by establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s top talents. Chelsea’s talisman might not have matched the dizzying heights of last season but still has 15 goals and eight assists to his name, while only Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes has created more chances for teammates at the time of writing.
Brighton forward Joao Pedro continues to grow his reputation as one of the division’s top young stars. Known for both scoring goals and setting them up for his teammates, the Brazilian has earned a bumper price tag and a standing as one of the Premier League’s finest penalty takers.
A newly crowned England international, Morgan Rogers may have only been with Aston Villa for 18 months, but the versatile midfielder has already proven to be an integral part of Unai Emery’s system. With eight goals and nine assists to date, he is looking to join an exclusive club of players to reach double-figures in both categories.
Finally, Arsenal centre-back William Saliba will hope to get his hands on the trophy after missing out last year. Regarded as one of the best centre-backs around, the Frenchman is a core part of the Premier League’s meanest defence, contributing to 12 clean sheets and a league-high 79.5% one-on-one success rate.
