LONDON — The Premier League has unveiled the highly anticipated nominees for its prestigious end-of-season honours, with eight elite performers competing for the EA SPORTS Player of the Season award and eight emerging talents vying for the Young Player of the Season title.
The race for the Premier League’s most coveted individual accolade features a compelling mix of established superstars and breakthrough performers. Erling Haaland headlines the list after another prolific campaign that has seen the Manchester City striker net 26 league goals, positioning him to claim a third Golden Boot. The Norwegian is seeking to become just the sixth player in history to win the award twice.
Arsenal’s strong season is reflected in three nominations: defender Gabriel Magalhães, goalkeeper David Raya, and midfielder Declan Rice. Gabriel has anchored a defence that has conceded just 26 goals in 36 matches, while Raya has already secured the Golden Glove with 18 clean sheets. Rice, meanwhile, has been Arsenal’s creative hub, creating 63 chances and leading the club in expected assists
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes earns his first nomination since 2020-21 after a record-chasing campaign. The Portuguese playmaker leads the league with 19 assists and has created 124 chances—the highest tally by any Premier League player since Kevin De Bruyne in 2019-20
Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White is recognised for his standout individual displays, netting 13 goals and contributing to Forest’s European push. Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo makes the list after a remarkable season that included a mid-campaign move to Manchester City, while Brentford striker Igor Thiago is honoured after breaking the club’s single-season scoring record with 22 goals
Young Player of the Season: The Next Generation Shines
The Young Player of the Season category showcases the Premier League’s brightest emerging talents, all aged 23 or under at the start of the campaign. Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki leads the nominations after a dazzling debut season in English football. The French playmaker has registered 12 assists and boasts the league’s best rate of big chances created per 90 minutes
Bournemouth’s Junior Kroupi has equalled the record for most Premier League goals by a teenager in their debut season with 12 strikes, while teammate Alex Scott has been an unsung hero in the Cherries’ push for European qualification. Scott has played every league minute for Andoni Iraola’s side and ranks among the league’s top players for possession regains
Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo earns recognition despite limited first-half minutes, having played a pivotal role in the club’s upturn in form under interim management. Newcastle’s Lewis Hall has established himself as one of the division’s most dependable full-backs, while Brentford’s Michael Kayode has impressed with both defensive solidity and his lethal long-throw delivery
West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes and Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly complete the shortlist. Fernandes has been a rare bright spark for the Hammers with his all-action midfield displays, while O’Reilly has earned Pep Guardiola’s trust with consistent performances from left-back, contributing five goals and three assists
Voting Now Open for Fans
The Premier League has confirmed that winners will be determined through a combination of public voting and selections by a panel of football experts. Fans can cast their votes via the Premier League’s official digital platforms until 12:00 BST on Monday, 18 May
Historical Context and Stakes
This year’s nominations carry added significance. No Manchester United player has won the Player of the Season award since Nemanja Vidic in 2010-11, while Arsenal’s last recipient was Thierry Henry in 2005-06. If Gabriel wins, he would become just the fifth defender ever to claim the honour
For the Young Player award, the stakes are equally high. Ryan Gravenberch won last season’s prize, and this year’s shortlist features several players expected to feature prominently at the upcoming World Cup
As the 2025/26 campaign enters its final stretch, these nominations celebrate a season defined by tactical innovation, youth development, and unforgettable individual brilliance. Whether a veteran superstar or a breakthrough talent lifts the trophy, one thing is certain: the Premier League’s standard of excellence continues to rise.
