Share
9th May 2024
05:24pm BST
The Premier League Young Players of the Season have been revealed and it has everyone asking the same questions of the competition.
Announced on Thursday morning, the candidates for the YPOTS award include Manchester City teammates Phil Foden and Erling Haaland, Chelsea talisman Cole Palmer and Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo.
Arsenal pair Bukayo Saka and William Saliba are also among the list, as well as Tottenham's breakout star Destiny Udogie and Newcastle striker Alexander Isak.
After the nominees were announced, fans took to social media to voice their confusion on the definition of a 'young player'.
While the stipulations of the award itself are just to be aged 23 or younger, it is traditionally seen as an award for those enjoying a breakout or debut season as a senior player.
However, fans pointed out that all of the nominees have been around for multiple seasons since their breakout - with 23-year-old Haaland making his senior debut eight seasons ago.
7th season since debut
— Jack Fawcett (@JackFawcett1704) May 9, 2024
8th season since debut
8th season since debut
2nd season since debut
4th season since debut
5th season since debut
5th season since debut
4th season since debut https://t.co/7xz2RwBupp
Manchester United's Mainoo is the youngest player on the list at 19-years-old and also counts as the least experienced, as he is in just his second season as a senior player.
Other fans on X pointed out that the award should be altered or a new award put in place for 'Rookie of the Year'.
One user said: "I like the idea of a rookie award. Kinda boring to see certain players dominate every year."
Another made the suggestion: "It should be an award for players in their first pro season playing over X amount of games (maybe 1000 minutes?)"
A third pointed out: "So you are telling me Jude [Bellingham] could win the Champions League this year come to the prem and win this award for the next 3 seasons."
While there were a lot of good points made on the original post, the main suggestion from fans was to lower the age cap from 23 to 21.
Despite the interesting suggestions, the awards will go ahead as normal this season, with Haaland looking to secure his second win in a row.
The City striker's teammate Foden is also a nominee for the main Player of the Season award, after his pivotal performances in the Cityzen's charge towards their potential fourth consecutive Premier League trophy.
Haaland, Palmer and Isak are also in the running for the main award.
The winner, decided by a public vote and a Premier League panel, will be announced on May 18.
Read more:
Explore more on these topics:
