- There are six nominees for the 2024 PFA Players’ Player of the Year award
- Martin Odegaard is on the shortlist, but Arsenal team-mate Declan Rice is not.
- Three of the six nominated players come from English champions Man City
The shortlist for the 2024 PFA Players’ Player of the Year Award has been announced, but there is one surprising omission.
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer, Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins and three Man City stars – Phil Foden, Erling Haaland and Rodri – are all in contention for the prize.
But Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice did not make the shortlist of six players.
The nominees and the winner of this award are selected by professional players in England.
Rice came second in the voting for the FWA Footballer of the Year award, selected by journalists, after playing in all 38 of Arsenal’s Premier League games last season. The England midfielder scored seven league goals for the Gunners and also produced eight assists.
Manchester City stars Erling Haaland (left) and Phil Foden (right) have both been nominated for the 2024 PFA Players’ Player of the Year award
Martin Odegaard (left) is on the shortlist, but Arsenal team-mate Declan Rice (right) is not.
Arsenal finished second in the Premier League last season – two points behind Man City
Foden won the FWA award and is seen as one of the favourites for the PFA award.
The winner of the 2024 PFA Players’ Player of the Year will be announced on August 20.
Three of the last four winners have been Man City players, with Haaland winning it in the 2022-23 season after scoring a record 36 Premier League goals.
Kevin De Bruyne had previously won the award in both the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons, but at the end of the 2021-22 season, Liverpool’s Mo Salah was the favourite.
Haaland scored 27 Premier League goals last season to win the Golden Boot for the second year in a row.
Palmer was second on the list of top scorers with 22 goals, ahead of Newcastle’s Alexander Isak with 21. Watkins, Foden and Dominic Solanke each scored 19.
Haaland pictured at last year’s PFA awards, where he was named Player of the Year
Lauren James (left) won the award for best female young player of the year last year, while Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka (right) took the male equivalent
Three Man City players have also been nominated for the Women’s PFA Players’ Player of the Year award.
Yui Hasegawa, Lauren Hemp and Khadija Shaw join Chelsea trio Lauren James, Niamh Charles and Erin Cuthbert on the six-woman shortlist.
Chelsea and City finished level on points in last season’s WSL, with the London club winning the title on goal difference after beating Man United 6-0 on the final day.
