England’s Lauren James, Hemp, and Le Tissier are among the six nominees for Women’s PFA Young Footballer of the Year.
For the past 50 years, the PFA Awards have been a highlight of the footballing calendar, and the organization has now released the shortlist for the 2023 Women’s Young Player of the Year, with six exceptional footballers competing for the honor.
Lauren Hemp, the 2021/22 champion, tries to defend her crown for the second year in a row, while three new nominees join two returnees in Chelsea star Lauren James and Manchester United ace Maya Le Tissier. Katie Robinson of Brighton, Missy Bo Kearns of Liverpool, and Laura Blindkilde of Aston Villa make out the top six.
Learn more about the six-woman shortlist below:
Lauren James | Chelsea FC | Nationality: England
After her 2022/23 season, the Chelsea star was nominated for the award for the second year in a row. She scored eight goals and made five assists in 38 appearances for the Blues in all competitions as they won the WSL and the FA Cup.
Lauren Hemp | Manchester City | Nationality: England
Hemp, the winner of the prize for the 2021/22 season, returns as a nominee to defend her title. This season, she netted 10 goals and 11 assists for Manchester City in all competitions.
Maya Le Tissier | Club: Manchester United | Nationality: England
Manchester United fell just short of both a WSL title and an FA Cup in Le Tissier’s 2022/23 season, losing to Chelsea in both the league and the final. Following her arrival from Brighton, Le Tissier was a significant presence in the Red Devils’ backline, helping the club to their best-ever league result, ensuring they will play Champions League football for the first time this season.
Missy Bo Kearns | Liverpool Club | Nationality: England
Kearns has five goals and two assists in 28 games for the Reds this season, helping them finish seventh in the WSL. Kearns has four WSL goals and one FA Women’s Leagues Cup goal.
Katie Robinson | Club: Brighton and Hove Albion | Nationality: England
Robinson scored five goals and added eight assists in 29 appearances for the Seagulls in 2022/23. Despite a terrible WSL season, Brighton and Robinson had a remarkable FA Cup run, reaching the semi-finals before losing to Manchester United.
Laura Blindkilde | Club: Aston Villa | Nationality: England
Blindkilde, the Aston Villa Young Player of the Season, appeared 29 times in midfield for the club in all competitions in 2022/23. She scored once during their FA Cup run, which saw them reach the semi-finals before falling to eventual winners Chelsea.
