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Cole Palmer has become the first Chelsea player since Eden Hazard to pick up the PFA Men’s Young Player of the Year award.
The 22-year-old became Blues’ main man in just his first campaign in west London, scoring 22 league goals to finish second in the Golden Boot, just five behind winner Erling Haaland.
Palmer has beaten off competition from last year’s winner Bukayo Saka, and Manchester United duo Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.
Clinton spent last season on loan at Tottenham Hotspur and thrived in a team that flattered to deceive, finishing mid-table.
Cole Palmer has won the PFA Men’s Young Player of the Year award after an incredible 2023-24
Palmer poses with his PFA Men’s Young Player of the Year award alongside his sister Hallie (left) and Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola (right)
Palmer celebrates with his parents Marie and Jermaine after winning his award on Tuesday
The Chelsea forward netted 22 goals and provided 11 assists in the Premier League last season
Man United’s Grace Clinton, who on loan at Tottenham last season, has won the women’s gong
Clinton notched up eight goal involvements in the WSL and has won the women’s prize
Last season was a breakout campaign for Palmer after he made the decision to leave Manchester City, where he progressed from the academy ranks through to the first team.
After rarely getting the chance to show his quality in Manchester, Palmer’s stock rose exponentially within just months of the move to Stamford Bridge as he shone in an inconsistent Chelsea side.
He carried the Blues, then managed by Mauricio Pochettino, to a European spot, notching up 11 Premier League assists alongside his impressive haul of goals.
Not initially signed as a goalscorer, Palmer became Chelsea’s main source for finding the back of the net as other forwards faltered.
He netted two Premier League hat-tricks in three matches with the first coming against his former club’s bitter rivals, Manchester United.
The forward’s displays earned him a call-up to England’s Euro 2024 squad, and once again he showed his quality by scoring a long-range effort in the final against Spain, which the Three Lions ended up losing.
Palmer can add the gong to his list of achievements which includes winning the Premier League’s Young Player of the Season award back in May.
Palmer was also crowned the Premier League’s Young Player of the Season back in May
The 22-year-old has edged out his compatriot, and last year’s winner, Bukayo Saka to win
Back in April, while Palmer was still level on goals with Haaland, City boss Pep Guardiola talked up his former player for the PFA Player of the Year award, let alone the Young Player crown.
‘Cole has been the decisive player, maybe of the season, in many aspects,’ Guardiola said. ‘He was asking for two seasons to leave and I said stay.
‘He said he wanted to leave. What could we do? I said stay because Riyad [Mahrez] is gone but for two seasons he wanted to leave.
‘He’s an exceptional player. I didn’t give the minutes that maybe he deserved and now he has at Chelsea. I understand completely.
‘He’s a shy guy with a lot of potential. It is what it is. He’s playing fantastic so what can I say, the decision has been made for many reasons.’
Clinton was also a breakout star of last campaign, scoring four goals and providing four assists in 20 Women’s Super League appearances.
The 21-year-old caught the eye of many while on loan at Spurs for her dominant displays in midfield.
Clinton’s impressive displays for Spurs last season earned her a first call up to England duty
Her performances impressed England manager Sarina Wiegman enough for her to be called up to the national side for the first time in February. She took no time at all to show what she was made of at the international level, scoring 19 minutes into her debut.
Clinton has fought off her current team-mate Maya le Tissier to win the gong, as well as Chelsea’s Lauren James.
