Reece James, Bukayo Saka and 3 Others to Rival Phil Foden for 2022 PFA Young Player of the Year Award

Reece James, Bukayo Saka and 3 Others to Rival Phil Foden for 2022 PFA Young Player of the Year Award

Chukwu Ikechukwu
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:03 PM
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  • The PFA have unveiled its six-man shortlist for the men's Young Player of the Year award with the list dominated by English players
  • Foden is set to face competition for the award from international team-mates including Reece James from Chelsea as well as Arsenal pair Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka
  • Foden is touted as the favourite to retain the award he won last year after helping Manchester City clinch the 2021/22 Premier League title

The shortlist for this season’s PFA Young Player of the Year has been released with Manchester City’s Phil Foden topping the six-man nominee list.

Arsenal duo of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe were also nominated alongside Chelsea’s right-back, Reece James for the prestigious award.

Reece James, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, PFA Young Player of the Year Award, English Premier League
Phil Foden is looking to retain the award he also won back in 2021 following another excellent year. Photo by Shaun Botterill
Source: Getty Images

Two of the season's finest newcomers, Conor Gallagher, who starred on loan in Crystal Palace's midfield from Chelsea, and Aston Villa's young phenom Jacob Ramsey, round out the top six.

According to the Daily Mail, Foden is looking to win the award for a second straight season having also won it last term, a feat last achieved by Dele Alli at Tottenham in 2017.

The winner of the award will be announced by the Professional Football Association on June 9 during its award gala which will be run as a virtual event.

Liverpool backed to sign Bukayo Saka

Meanwhile, Arsenal may be on the verge of losing highly-rated winger, Bukayo Saka to rivals Liverpool in the summer transfer window.

According to Team Talk, former Reds left-back Jose Enrique has urged Jurgen Klopp to swoop for Bukayo Saka.

The former Anfield defender believes Saka will serve as a great backup for Egyptian striker, Mohamed Salah who is entering the final year of his contract with Liverpool.

Ferdinand laughs at inclusion of Saka in EPL Player of the Season award

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Rio Ferdinand says including Bukayo Saka in the Premier League Player of the Season nominees ahead of Ronaldo is laughable.

The Premier League announced the nominees for this season's best player award last week which saw some reputable names excluded from the list.

Among the list of players missing in the PFA Player of the Season nominees is Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo - who has been involved in 21 goals for the Red Devils.

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Chukwu Ikechukwu
Chukwu Ikechukwu Godwin is a journalist with over 9 years of experience in the Nigerian media industry. He has worked both in Radio (Today FM, Rhythm FM, Wish FM) and Television (Silverbird TV) as a Sports Analyst..
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