Rachel Daly and Sam Kerr are two of the six nominees contending for the PFA Players’ Player of the Year Award. An intriguing possibility awaits as England squares off against Australia in the women’s World Cup semi-final, potentially pitting Kerr against Daly, who has been declared fit after her injury.
Joining Daly and Kerr in the list of nominees are Ona Batlle, Frida Maanum, Guro Reiten, and Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw.
Shifting focus, the Young Player of the Season Award nominees highlight emerging talents from the Young Lionesses. Lauren Hemp, Lauren James, and Katie Robinson represent half of the candidates. Hemp aims for an unprecedented fourth consecutive win, which would mark her fifth overall. The remaining contenders include Missy Bo Kearns, Laura Blindkilde, and Maya Le Tissier, unrelated to Matt Le Tissier.
Chelsea’s influence is pronounced in the senior award category, featuring Kerr and Reiten. The duo played a pivotal role as Chelsea achieved a remarkable WSL and FA Cup double for the third consecutive season, in addition to their semi-final placement in the Champions League.
Kerr showcased remarkable form, netting an impressive 29 goals across various competitions. Similarly, Reiten’s prowess on the left wing yielded 13 goals and an impressive 20 assists across all competitions, following her contract extension prior to the season.
A notable mention goes to Maanum, earning her nomination after Arsenal secured the League Cup and reached the semi-finals of Europe’s premier competition. Her transition to an attacking midfielder position resulted in 16 goals and standout performances, notably the commanding 5-1 victory against Lyon.