Saka, Olise, James lead contenders for Young Player awards

The Professional Footballer’s’ Association men’s Young Player of the Year award nominees have been released on Monday with Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka leading the race for the prize.

The Gunners’ forward of Nigerian descent is a two-time England’s Player of the Year winner.

Saka won the award in the 2022-23 season and scored 16 goals and provided nine assists last season for his club.

Another Nigerian-eligible forward, Michael Olise who won silver with France in the football tournament of the just concluded Olympics is on the shortlist following his brilliant season at Crystal Palace before his summer move to Bayern Munich.

Olise who can also play for Algeria is on the PFA as he scored 10 goals and provided six assists in 19 league appearances.

Chelsea’s Cole Palmer who had an excellent first season last season with the Blues with a 33-goal contributions, scoring 22 times times is also on the list.

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Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo are in the list and the only Manchester United youngsters named.

Arsenal target, Joao Pedro of Brighton and Hove Albion’s Joao Pedro completes the list of nominees for the men’s category. Pedro scored 20 goals in all competitions last season.

In the women’s category, Chelsea’s Lauren James and Manchester City’s Khiara Keating are contenders for the honour.

Also nominated is Chelsea’s Aggie Beever-Jones, Manchester United defender Maya Le Tissier and Manchester City’s Jess Park.