Arsenal star Beth Mead SNUBBED from women’s PFA Player of Year award despite netting the most assists and being third top goal scorer… while no Manchester United players feature among final shortlist of six
- Beth Mead does not feature among the nominations despite stunning campaign
- Her Arsenal team-mates Vivianne Miedema and Kim Little though are nominated
- Chelsea duo Pernille Harder and Sam Kerr were nominated among the Blues
- Meanwhile, Manchester City’s Alex Greenwood and Lauren Hemp also feature
Arsenal’s Beth Mead has been snubbed for the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award, despite finishing the season with the joint most assists in the Women’s Super League.
Mead had a stellar campaign for the Gunners, who finished second, with eight assists and 11 goals. However, her Arsenal team-mate Vivianne Miedema, who also managed eight assists and 14 goals, has been nominated.
Chelsea striker Sam Kerr has made the six-name shortlist after finishing the season as the WSL’s top scorer with 20 goals. The Australian is the favourite to take home the prize after winning the Football Writer’s award earlier this month.
Despite an excellent year, Arsenal’s Beth Mead has not been nominated for player of the year
Mead finished the season as joint top assist maker as well as third top goal scorer
Manchester City winger Lauren Hemp, who has also been nominated for Young Player of the Year, has made the shortlist alongside her team-mate Alex Greenwood.
Chelsea forward Pernille Harder and Arsenal captain Kim Little make up the final two nominations.
Manchester United’s Ella Toone and Alessia Russo are also surprising omissions from the shortlist. Like Mead, Toone managed eight assists and also scored seven goals. The forward has, however, been nominated for the Young Player award.
Mead’s Gunners team-mate Vivianne Miedema however does make the end of season shortlist
Chelsea duo Sam Kerr (left) and Pernille Harder are part of the six nominees for the award
Another Arsenal star features in Kim Little having also starred for the north London side
Russo had a strong case to make the shortlist for the main prize. The striker scored nine goals and contributed four assists in an impressive season after returning from injury.
The nominations for the Young Player award also caused controversy, with Chelsea’s Lauren James making the shortlist despite playing just 107 minutes of league football last season.
James made just six league appearances for the Blues, all from the bench, with one goal – which came in a 9-0 victory over Leicester in March. James’ brother, Reece, has been nominated for young player in the men’s category.
The players’ poll closed well before the end of the season despite voting being conducted online or via an app and the virtual awards not taking place until June 9.
PFA officials say the closing date was moved forward due to the logistical challenges of conducting interviews with the winners.
As well as James, Hemp and Toone, Arsenal’s Frida Maanum, Tottenham’s Jessica Naz and Brighton’s Maya Le Tissier have been nominated for the youngster award.
Three clubs make up the six, with Lauren Hemp (left) and Alex Greenwood in for Man City
