African stars, Mohamed Salah and Bryan Mbeumo, have been named among the eight nominees for the 2024 Premier League Player of the Season award, following outstanding campaigns for Liverpool and Brentford respectively.
Salah, Egypt’s captain and one of the league’s most consistent performers over the past decade, led Liverpool’s charge to a record-equalling 20th league title with a staggering 46 goal contributions , the highest in the Premier League this season. The 31-year-old scored 28 goals and provided 18 assists, underlining his status as one of Africa’s greatest exports to the English top flight.
For Cameroon’s Bryan Mbeumo, the nomination marks a career-best year. The 24-year-old forward netted 18 goals and added seven assists for Brentford, whose attacking style has seen them punch above their weight. His 25 goal contributions place him third in the league this season, and the nomination further establishes him as one of the brightest African talents in European football.
The two Africans are up against Liverpool teammates Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch, Nottingham Forest duo Chris Wood and Morgan Gibbs-White, Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, and Arsenal midfielder, Declan Rice.
Salah, who previously won the award in 2018, will be looking to reclaim the honour after another record-breaking campaign. Mbeumo’s inclusion is his first-ever nomination, and it comes as a major milestone not only for his club but also for Cameroon and African football.
Liverpool’s Gravenberch eligible through his Dutch-Ghanaian heritage, is also shortlisted for the Premier League Young Player of the Season award, where Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Arsenal’s William Saliba are among the top contenders.
On the managerial front, Wolves boss Vitor Pereira is nominated for Premier League Manager of the Season after steering the club away from relegation danger. Arne Slot, who won the league with Liverpool in his debut season, headlines the shortlist, which also features Brentford’s Thomas Frank, Forest’s Nuno Espirito Santo, and Newcastle’s Eddie Howe.
Winners of the awards will be decided by a public vote combined with selections from a panel of football experts. Voting closes later this week.
