After fighting to the final day for the Women's Super League title, Chelsea and Man City players will now battle it out for this individual accolade
A new name will be etched onto the PFA Women's Players' Player of the Year award this month, with Lionesses Lauren James, Lauren Hemp and Niamh Charles among the nominees looking to win the prestigious accolade for the first time. The six-woman shortlist is dominated by Chelsea and Manchester City, after the pair gave us a thrilling title 2023-24 Women's Super League title race that went down to the final day.
The PFA Awards are a fixture of the English football calendar and have been for some 50 years, with the likes of Rachel Daly, Sam Kerr, Fran Kirby, Bethany England and Vivianne Miedema among the previous recent winners of the PFA Women's Players' Player of the Year accolade.
However, none of the players in the running this year have ever got their hands on the prestigious trophy, with Chelsea stars James and Charles joined by fellow Blue Erin Cuthbert, while Yui Hasegawa and Khadija Shaw represent Man City on the shortlist, alongside Hemp.
Ahead of the winner being revealed on August 20, find out more about each nominee below…
Getty ImagesNiamh Charles (Chelsea)
Despite being a defender, and one still adapting to that role after coming through as a forward, Niamh Charles' assist tally was only bettered by Man City star Hemp last season. That does well to illustrate what a force she was down the left-hand side as Chelsea won a fifth successive WSL title, though her defensive work must be recognised too. She won back possession more often than any other player in the Blues' squad and was a stand-out performer through Emma Hayes' final campaign in charge.
AdvertisementGettyErin Cuthbert (Chelsea)
So often the unsung hero in the Chelsea team, it is nice to see Erin Cuthbert get this nomination, even if she doesn't win the eventual award, as so often she can be overlooked when it comes to individual recognition. With club captain Millie Bright absent for large spells, the Scotland international was regularly trusted with the armband in 2023-24 and she did not disappoint, leading both with her character and her performances in the middle of the park.
(C)Getty ImagesYui Hasegawa (Manchester City)
Another player who can be described as an unsung hero, Yui Hasegawa is the genius at the base of the Man City midfield that makes the team tick with her eye for a pass and composure under pressure. Her work off the ball, though, is also excellent. Hasegawa won back possession more often than any other player in the WSL in 2023-24 and was crucial to the Cityzens' title charge.
GettyLauren Hemp (Manchester City)
In terms of direct goal involvements, the 2023-24 season was Lauren Hemp's best-ever in the WSL, with her 11 goals and eight assists helping to make Man City the second most potent attacking force in the division. The 23-year-old has been named PFA Women's Young Player of the Year four times but that she is in contention for the full award this year is representative of her progression into one of the best players in the league.