Eli Junior Kroupi and Rayan Cherki shortlisted for Premier League young player of the season | OneFootball

Eli Junior Kroupi and Rayan Cherki shortlisted for Premier League young player of the season | OneFootball

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·6 June 2026

Eli Junior Kroupi and Rayan Cherki shortlisted for Premier League young player of the season

Article image:Eli Junior Kroupi and Rayan Cherki shortlisted for Premier League young player of the season

Eli Junior Kroupi and Rayan Cherki have been shortlisted for the PFA’s Premier League young player of the season award.

According to L'Équipe, the Professional Footballers’ Association named six candidates, with Kroupi, 19, of Bournemouth, and Cherki, 22, of Manchester City, included.


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The other nominees are Max Dowman, 16, Arsenal, Kobbie Mainoo, 21, Manchester United, Rio Ngumoha, 17, Liverpool, and Nico O'Reilly, 21, Manchester City.

Eligibility requires players to be aged 21 or under on one July before the season begins.

Kroupi started the campaign on the bench, then gained minutes after Evanilson’s injury and convinced head coach Andoni Iraola. At Bournemouth, the Lorient-born forward quickly stood out for finishing and technique. His 13 league goals set the single-season record for a player under 20.

Cherki is also nominated for the player of the season award. The Lyon academy graduate delivered four goals and 12 assists in his first Premier League season. He was called up by Didier Deschamps for France’s World Cup squad.

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