PFA Young Player of the Year Power Rankings

As the start of the 2024/25 season draws ever closer, it is time for fans to take a look in the rear-view mirror as the Player’s Football Association have announced the six nominees for last season’s PFA Young Player of the Year Award. With this awards ceremony being all the more special as it marks 50 years from the original, the competition is hotter than ever with all nominated candidates standing a chance of walking away with the trophy.

Bukayo Saka, having won the trophy in 2022/23, is seeking to once again claim the title and become a two-time winner, a feat accomplished by the likes of Phil Foden and Wayne Rooney. But he faces stiff competition due to other youngsters excelling. So, with award season in our sights, below are the six contenders ranked from least likely to most likely to be victorious.

Ranking factors

When making our rankings, we’ve considered several variables. These include:

How important a player was to a team’s performances
Goals
Assists
Clean sheets (if a defensive player)
Team performance overall

Players must have been 21 or younger before the 2023/24 season began to be considered.

PFA Young Player of the Year Power Rankings

Rank
Player
Club

1.
Cole Palmer
Chelsea

2.
Bukayo Saka
Arsenal

3.
Kobbie Mainoo
Manchester United

4.
Alejandro Garnacho
Manchester United

5.
Michael Olise
Crystal Palace

6.
Joao Pedro
Brighton & Hove Albion

6Joao Pedro

Brighton & Hove Albion

Brazilian forward Joao Pedro made an impressive start to life on the South Coast after joining Brighton from Championship side Watford. The 22-year-old hadn’t played in the English top flight since 2022 when he scored just three goals and managed a single assist for the Hornets.

At Brighton, the exciting attacker managed to triple these numbers in both categories and shone the brightest ahead of other young stars like Evan Ferguson and Simon Andingra. Despite an impressive campaign, the strength of the other candidates means that the one-cap wonder is the least likely option to be crowned Young Player of the Year.

Joao Pedro Premier League Stats (2023/24)

Appearances
31

Goals
9

Assists
3

5Michael Olise

Crystal Palace

In an interesting turn of events, there is a chance that the award goes to a player who is not in the Premier League anymore, as Michael Olise has gone from Selhurst Park to one of the highest-paid stars in the Bundesliga following his move to Bayern Munich.

Sixteen goal contributions in 19 appearances are not only the Frenchman’s most productive numbers but also make up 44% of his overall contributions in his Premier League career. The 22-year-old was crucial in Palace’s resurgence under Oliver Glasner, but given that Olise was only fit for 50% of the campaign, his chances of being chosen as winner may take a slight hit in comparison to his counterparts.

Michael Olise Premier League Stats (2023/24)

Appearances
19

Goals
10

Assists
6

4Alejandro Garnacho

Manchester United

The two favourites for the award feel set in stone, but there could be a few outside shouts. Chief among those is Alejandro Garnacho, who used 2023/24 to establish himself as a mainstay in Manchester United’s first team.

The Argentine produced several memorable moments in the previous term, including his outrageous goal against Everton, one of the best overhead kicks of all time. He wasn’t as consistent as either Saka or Palmer and managed just seven goals and four assists in the division. Nevertheless, the 20-year-old’s all-round play was largely exceptional. His chances won’t have been harmed by his incredible contributions in the FA Cup final lingering in the back of voters’ minds.

Alejandro Garnacho Premier League Stats (2023/24)

Appearances
36

Goals
7

Assists
4

3Kobbie Mainoo

Manchester United​​​​​​​

There will certainly be people who believe that Mainoo shouldn’t be this high on the list, especially as his rise to stardom only took place in the second half of the campaign. But what the 19-year-old showed in that time is nothing short of sensational, and individual brilliance catapults him up the rankings, despite the fact he only made 24 appearances.

Be it scoring important goals against Wolves or United’s arch-rivals Liverpool, or acting as a level head in what was an erratic team at points, Mainoo looked so much more mature than he should have. Having also starred during the knockout stages of Euro 2024, the teenage sensation is bound to get his hands on this award in the coming years, so this time around may be too soon for him.​​​​​​​

Kobbie Mainoo Premier League Stats (2023/24)

Appearances
24

Goals
3

Assists
1

2Bukayo Saka

Arsenal

Having come so close to leading Arsenal to Premier League glory two years ago, Bukayo Saka was at the forefront of their title charge once again in 2023/24. The 22-year-old continued to develop into one of the Premier League’s best wingers under Mikel Arteta’s guidance, scoring 16 goals and registering nine assists.

The 2022/23 winner of the award has an excellent case for capturing the honour for a second consecutive year, joining what would be illustrious company. Unfortunately though, a combination of once again walking away with no silverware to show for his efforts, plus the individual brilliance of one other man means that ‘starboy’ may have to settle for second again.​​​​​​​

Bukayo Saka Premier League Stats (2023/24)

Appearances
35

Goals
16

Assists
9

1Cole Palmer

Chelsea

While Chelsea struggled in 2023/24, Mauricio Pochettino’s squad would’ve been in a much worse position were it not for Cole Palmer. Twenty-two goals and 11 assists in the English top flight is incredibly impressive, and the former Man City ace has required little time to get used to his new surroundings in west London.