After an incredible season of record-breaking achievements, historic promotions and a nail-biting title race that went right to the wire, PFA members have cast their votes for the 49th annual PFA Awards, choosing their PFA Players’ Player of the Year (POTY), PFA Young Player of the Year and divisional Teams of the Year.
Current men’s POTY winner, Kevin De Bruyne is back in the running, alongside previous winners Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as previous nominees Sadio Mané and Harry Kane. Ronaldo and de Bruyne, the iconic Manchester duo from the other sides of the city, will be both looking to bag a historic third POTY trophy, but they face stiff competition from Liverpool’s FA Cup winning trio and England captain, Kane.
It’s no surprise that the three teams at the top of the Women’s Super League (WSL) dominate nominations for women’s POTY, with Chelsea’s Sam Kerr and Manchester City’s Lauren Hemp both nominated for the second time. Sam’s fellow Blue, Pernille Harder, earns her first POTY nomination. While Lauren’s club and England teammate Alex Greenwood makes the nominee list for the second time. Arsenal captain Kim Little receives her third nomination after winning the inaugural women’s POTY trophy in 2013, while WSL all-time record goalscorer Vivianne Miedema also secures her third nomination after winning the award in 2019.
The all-English field for men’s Young Player Of The Year (YPOTY) is great news for Gareth Southgate’s future Euro and World Cup ambitions. Manchester City’s Phil Foden is up for the award again after taking home his first YPOTY award last season. Arsenal superstar Bukayo Saka is the second returning nominee with his third YPOTY nod in a row after a spectacular season with the Gunners. Bukayo’s Arsenal teammate Emile Smith Rowe joins Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey, Chelsea’s Reece James and Crystal Palace’s super-loanee Conor Gallagher in receiving a first PFA YPOTY nomination.
The nominee list for women’s YPOTY is wide open this year, with players from six different WSL clubs vying for the top spot. Manchester City’s Lauren Hemp secures her second double nomination and will be looking for a record-breaking fourth YPOTY win. Chelsea’s Lauren James’ third YPOTY nomination opens up the possibility of our first brother and sister win and Manchester United’s Ella Toone picks up her second consecutive YPOTY nomination after another season of flawless form. Arsenal’s Frida Maanum gets her first PFA YPOTY Award nomination just one year after joining the WSL, with Brighton and Hove Albion’s Maya Le Tissier also securing her first nomination and Tottenham’s Jessica Naz making history as the club’s first women’s YPOTY nominee!
With an exciting list of nominees, the 2022 PFA Awards are shaping up to be one of the most memorable evenings in football yet! Tune into our PFA social channels on the 9th of June, when all winners will be revealed! Congratulations to all nominees!
WOMEN’S PFA YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Lauren Hemp – Manchester City
Lauren James – Chelsea
Frida Maanum – Arsenal
Jessica Naz – Tottenham Hotspur
Ella Toone – Manchester United
Maya Le Tissier – Brighton and Hove Albion
MEN’S PFA YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Phil Foden – Manchester City
Conor Gallagher – Crystal Palace
Reece James – Chelsea
Jacob Ramsey – Aston Villa
Bukayo Saka – Arsenal
Emile Smith Rowe – Arsenal
WOMEN’S PFA PLAYERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
Alex Greenwood – Manchester City
Pernille Harder – Chelsea
Lauren Hemp – Manchester City
Sam Kerr – Chelsea
Kim Little – Arsenal
Vivianne Miedema – Arsenal
MEN’S PFA PLAYERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
Virgil van Dijk – Liverpool
Harry Kane – Tottenham Hotspur
Sadio Mané – Liverpool
Cristiano Ronaldo – Manchester United
Mohamed Salah – Liverpool
Kevin De Bruyne – Manchester City