Yan Nigeria
The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) has unveiled the six-player shortlist for the 2025 Young Player of the Year award, celebrating the brightest talents aged 21 or under at the start of the season.
Last year’s winner, Cole Palmer, is no longer eligible after turning 23, but his Chelsea legacy lives on in this year’s nominees, which include one of his new teammates and several breakout stars from across the Premier League and Europe.
Full List of 2025 Nominees:
Liam Delap (Ipswich Town/Chelsea)
Dean Huijsen (Bournemouth/Real Madrid)
Milos Kerkez (Bournemouth)
Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal)
Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)
Liam Delap earns his place on the list after a stellar individual campaign with Ipswich Town, where he scored 12 league goals despite the club’s relegation. His efforts earned him a £30 million move to Chelsea earlier this month.
Delap has already made his Blues debut, registering an assist in their Club World Cup win over LAFC.
Joining him is Dean Huijsen, who impressed at Bournemouth last season and secured a headline-making £50 million transfer to Real Madrid. The 20-year-old Spain international made his debut for Los Blancos this week in a 1-1 draw with Al-Hilal.
Arsenal duo Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri also make the cut following breakthrough campaigns at the Emirates.
Lewis-Skelly, 18, went from obscurity to stardom after a feisty encounter with Erling Haaland in September and later cemented his spot as Arsenal’s first-choice left back. He capped off his rise with an England debut and goal in March.
Nwaneri stepped up in Bukayo Saka’s absence, scoring nine goals across all competitions and earning a place in England’s Under-21 Euros squad.
Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez has also been recognised after a superb season at left back, forming a formidable partnership with Huijsen.
The Hungarian international is reportedly set for a move to Liverpool, with his father and agent calling it a “done deal.”
Rounding out the shortlist is Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers. Set to turn 23 next month, Rogers remains eligible and has had a standout season with eight Premier League goals and four in the Champions League.
His strong form earned him a senior England debut in November, and he now has six caps as he eyes a spot in the 2026 World Cup squad.
The winner of the award will be announced later this summer.
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