With the nominees for the Premier League Young Player of the Year recently being released, we highlight five potential frontrunners for the prestigious prize.
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Erling Haaland
Haaland was recently on the receiving end of some harsh criticism from Manchester United legend Roy Keane, with the Irishman comparing his general play to that of a third division player. The comment came after the 23-year-old was stifled by Arsenal defenders during their 0-0 draw in March, and it seemed as though this was a narrative people latched on to.
However, for any deficiencies he may have, what he does at an absolute world-class level is something many consider the hardest thing to do in football, and that is find the back of the net. The Leeds-born attacker has 25 goals in 28 games in the league this season as he looks set to capture a second successive EPL Golden Boot award. Perhaps being so prolific and successful in his debut campaign with Manchester City has skewed the public perception of him, but he is remains among the best goalscorers in the world.
Phil Foden
For a long time, there were questions as to whether or not Pep Guardiola was stagnating Foden's progression due the lack of playing time he was receiving with the first team. However, it feels as though the 2023/24 campaign has been a big reward for the England international's patience as he has effectively spearheaded his team to a potential record fourth successive league title. The 23-year-old has more goals (16) and assists (eight) this term than he has ever recorded in a single league campaign, with much of those goal contributions coming at a time when the Citizens' traditional difference-makers such as Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne were not having the same impact they did during their treble-winning campaign last season.
Bukayo Saka
Another Englishman who has taken his performance levels up a notch this term is Arsenal's Saka. The winger started the season in brilliant form, scoring or assisting in six of the Premier League's opening seven matchweeks. The London native, like his team, endured a dip in form towards the end of 2023, but since the start of the new year, the 22-year-old has been on fire. In the 15 EPL matches he has played in 2024, Saka has either scored or assisted in 11 of them. He is now on 16 goals and nine assists in the league as he looks to lead the attack that will attempt to end the Gunners' 20-year wait for a league championship.
William Saliba
While Saka may be banging in the goals for Mikel Arteta's charges, the person on the other end helping keep them out for the north Londoners' net is Saliba. The Frenchman's seamless adaptation to life in the Premier League last season played a huge role in them mounting a surprise title charge, but after his injury, the team's pursuit of a league championship faulted. This season, the Paris native has been injury-free and, alongside fellow centre-back Gabriel, has managed to help the side concede the fewest number of goals in the division. His composure on the ball has also allowed Arsenal to be more threatening on the counter-attack too.
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Cole Palmer
Another player who has surprised many in their first full season of playing consistent Premier League football is Chelsea's Cole Palmer. In what has been an otherwise disappointing campaign for the Blues, the Manchester native has been a shining light for the Stamford Bridge faithful. Despite being integrated into the City first team in 2021, the 21-year-old has already played more first-team games for his new side this term than he did for the Sky Blues. In his debut season for the west Londoners, the England international has been in phenomenal touch – he is behind only Haaland in the Golden Boot standing with his 21 strikes and also has nine assists to his name.
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