Rising Stars in the Spotlight: Delap, Lewis-Skelly and Premier League Brightest Talents Nominated for PFA Young Player of the Year

PFA Young Player of the Year Nominees Include New Chelsea Signing Liam Delap and Arsenal Prodigy Myles Lewis-Skelly

The next generation of Premier League talent is having its moment in the sun. With the PFA Young Player of the Year shortlist now officially revealed, six of the brightest stars from the 2024–25 season will compete for one of English football’s most prestigious individual honours. Among the standout names are Liam Delap, fresh off a £30 million transfer to Chelsea, and Myles Lewis-Skelly, Arsenal’s teenage midfield dynamo who has enjoyed a breakout campaign that included a senior England debut.

Also in the running are Ethan Nwaneri, another jewel from Arsenal’s academy, Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa, and a pair of former Bournemouth talents—Dean Huijsen, who has now joined Real Madrid, and Milos Kerkez, a full-back expected to be Liverpool-bound by the end of the summer.

These six have not just impressed fans and pundits—they’ve shown a maturity and class on the pitch that defies their age. And come August 19, at the Manchester Opera House, one of them will take centre stage as the PFA’s pick for Young Player of the Year.

Liam Delap: The £30m Blue with a Bright Future

It’s been a whirlwind 12 months for Liam Delap. The powerful striker made headlines with 12 goals in his debut Premier League season, impressing with his physical presence, work ethic, and an eye for goal that had top clubs circling. Chelsea made their move early this summer, securing his services for £30 million, viewing him as a long-term solution to their No.9 conundrum.

Delap’s campaign was about more than just numbers—it was about character. He led the line for a mid-table side, battled against seasoned defenders, and still came out with double-digit goals. If there were doubts about whether he was ready for the step up, they’ve been firmly silenced.

Myles Lewis-Skelly: Arsenal’s Next Midfield Maestro

Lewis-Skelly Premier League

While the Gunners fell just short in the title race once again, Myles Lewis-Skelly emerged as a symbol of the club’s long-term future. The 18-year-old midfielder, already tipped to follow in the footsteps of Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham, became a regular feature in Mikel Arteta’s rotation and earned his first England senior cap earlier this year.

Lewis-Skelly plays with elegance and energy in equal measure. His passing range, positional discipline, and relentless pressing make him a rare modern midfielder who can influence the game in every third. This nomination is as much about potential as it is about performance—though on the pitch, he more than held his own.

Ethan Nwaneri: The Arsenal Pipeline Continues

Manchester United FC v Aston Villa FC – Premier League

Still only 17, Ethan Nwaneri is already being spoken about in the same breath as some of Arsenal’s great academy graduates. The attacking midfielder scored nine goals this season, including vital strikes in both domestic and European competitions, and showed a cool head in high-pressure moments.

Nwaneri’s game is built on balance, timing, and a flair for the unexpected. Whether deployed centrally or drifting in from wide, he brings invention and imagination to Arsenal’s attack. For a teenager, his composure is extraordinary—and his place on this shortlist is richly deserved.

Morgan Rogers: A Star Emerges at Aston Villa

At Aston Villa, Morgan Rogers has gone from promising squad player to talismanic forward. The 21-year-old produced a stunning 14 goals and 15 assists in a breakout campaign, becoming one of Unai Emery’s most trusted attacking options.

Rogers’ versatility—he can play on either wing, behind the striker, or even up top—has made him indispensable. But it’s his confidence on the ball and his ability to turn games with individual brilliance that caught the eye of voters. In a season where Villa battled for European places, Rogers was consistently among their best performers.

Dean Huijsen: Spain International and Madrid-Bound

Perhaps the most fascinating nominee on the list is Dean Huijsen. The Dutch-born centre-back, who represents Spain internationally, has just completed a high-profile move to Real Madrid after a season of standout performances for Bournemouth.

Still only 19, Huijsen broke into the Spain senior team and quickly became a name on every elite scout’s notepad. Calm under pressure, physically dominant, and intelligent in his positioning, he is already being moulded as a long-term replacement for the likes of Antonio Rudiger at Madrid.

His selection may surprise some given Bournemouth’s mid-table finish, but his individual impact—especially against the top-six sides—was immense. For a defender to make this list in a sea of attacking talent is a testament to his maturity and presence.

Milos Kerkez: Bournemouth’s Flying Full-Back Set for Liverpool

The sixth nominee is Milos Kerkez, a name now firmly on Liverpool’s radar. The energetic full-back impressed at both ends of the pitch this season, combining solid defensive work with attacking intent and creativity down the left flank.

Kerkez’s consistency was remarkable for a player in only his second Premier League season. He looked comfortable facing world-class wingers and often provided an outlet in transition, overlapping to stretch defences and deliver quality balls into the box. With a move to Anfield reportedly in the works, the 20-year-old is destined for the big stage.

What’s Next?

All eyes now turn to August 19, when the winners will be crowned during the annual PFA Awards night in Manchester. The PFA Young Player of the Year award will be handed out alongside honours for the best men’s and women’s players in the Premier League, WSL, Championship, League One, and League Two.

With past winners including the likes of Wayne Rooney, Gareth Bale, and Bukayo Saka, the title has often served as a springboard to superstardom. This year’s field is as competitive as it’s ever been.

For Delap, Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri, Rogers, Huijsen and Kerkez, the nomination alone is a nod to their arrival among the elite. The future of English football looks bright—and it’s already wearing the boots of these six outstanding young players.