The Professional Footballers’ Association has nominated Michael Olise for the 2023/2024 Young Player of the Year award.
He was nominated alongside Manchester United stars Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho, Arsenal striker Bukayo Saka, Chelsea striker Cole Palmer and Brighton & Hove Albion striker João Pedro.
Despite struggling with injuries for the lion’s share of last season, Olise managed to score ten goals and provide six assists in 19 appearances for Crystal Palace.
It is no surprise that after the season he attracted interest from top European clubs Manchester United, Chelsea and Bayern Munich before deciding to move to Bayern.
He faces stiff competition for the Young Player of the Year award due to the exploits of his fellow nominees, most notably Palmer, who scored 22 goals and provided 11 assists last season and was named the Premier League Young Player of the Season.
Saka also poses a major threat to his chances of winning the prestigious award, having contributed 16 goals and nine assists to Arsenal, who finished second last season.
Mainoo and Garnacho were also stars in a weak Manchester United team, but were not expected to pose a threat to Olise, as were Palmer and Saka. The same goes for Pedro, who scored 20 goals for Brighton in all competitions.
The current winner is Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, who will be dethroned on August 20 when a new winner is announced.
Abdulkareem Abdulhamid
Photo credit: cpfc.co.uk
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