Bukayo Saka faces Cole Palmer & Kobbie Mainoo competition in bid to land back-to-back PFA Young Player of the Year awards as Arsenal, Chelsea & Manchester United stars lead race for prestigious prize

The Arsenal winger enjoyed another standout campaign in 2023-24 and is joined on the shortlist for the prestigious individual prize by star turns from Chelsea, Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Brighton – with all of those getting the nod fully deserving of the recognition.

Saka starred for Arsenal as they fell narrowly short in another Premier League title bid, while Palmer has become a talismanic presence for Chelsea as they look to find consistency as a collective. Mainoo, meanwhile, has enjoyed a meteoric rise that has allowed senior international recognition with England to be achieved.

His club colleague, Alejandro Garnacho, is another of those unlocking undoubted potential at Old Trafford, while Joao Pedro has become a priceless source of goals at the Amex Stadium and Michael Olise’s exploits at Selhurst Park mean that he is now on the books of Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.

Find out more about the six-man PFA Young Player of the Year shortlist below...

Having decided against fighting for minutes at Manchester City, Palmer hit the ground running at Chelsea. The talented 22-year-old playmaker got to break out his iconic ‘cold’ celebration on 22 occasions while teeing up a further 11 efforts for grateful team-mates – with nobody managing more goal contributions.

The Gunners may have fallen narrowly short in their bid for the Premier League crown, but Saka played his part in keeping them in contention. The England international, who graced another European Championship final this summer, registered 16 goals and nine assists to further underline his value to Mikel Arteta’s cause.

The Brazilian striker’s first taste of life in English football came at Watford, but it is on the south coast where he has really thrived. The Seagulls have been crying out for a regular marksman, and they now have one in Pedro after seeing him hit 20 goals in all competitions – allowing him to become a full international.

Palace’s ranks have rarely been short of creativity in recent times, with Olise helping to carry that burden of playmaking responsibility in 2023-24. He recorded 10 goals and six assists through just 19 appearances, earning a place in France’s squad for the Olympic Games and a big-money transfer to Bayern Munich.

Another graduate from the famed academy system at Old Trafford, with a breakthrough campaign enjoyed that included 24 Premier League appearances, an FA Cup final-winning goal and England recognition. There is the promise of more to come from the all-action midfielder at just 19 years of age.

The 20-year-old is quickly becoming a man for the big occasion, as he looks to follow in the footsteps of boyhood idol Cristiano Ronaldo. Garnacho’s efforts have been recognised by his peers after hitting double figures for goals last season and forming part of the Argentina squad that savoured Copa America glory.