After the final international break of the year, it’s time to dish out our Premier League awards for the season so far, honouring the best of the campaign to date.
Premier League Awards – The 2024/25 season so far
Best Player – Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Liverpool lead from the front and it’s been a familiar face spearheading the charge. Those who predicted a drop-off after the departure of Jurgen Klopp have been left surprised, with Arne Slot having overseen a seamless transition into the new regime.
It certainly helps to inherit players of Mohamed Salah’s quality in your ranks. Salah has scored eight times and laid on six assists in just 11 appearances, with the Egyptian showing no signs of slowing down.
Mohamed Salah is currently averaging a goal contribution every 67.4 minutes across all competitions this season.
It’s his best ratio in a Liverpool shirt 👑 pic.twitter.com/FXB7NY5DDz
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 13, 2024
Liverpool’s failure to sort his future beyond this season should be a huge concern. There’s plenty of mileage left in the tank for Salah, who could overhaul Thierry Henry and Frank Lampard for Premier League goals before the end of the season.
Best Manager – Nuno Espirito Santo (Nottingham Forest)
Arne Slot’s superb start at Liverpool deserves a mention, but who envisaged this from Nottingham Forest?
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side finished uncomfortably close to the relegation places last season but are flying high in fifth as we return from November’s international break. Forest are above Tottenham, Aston Villa, Newcastle and Manchester United among others, while the Tricky Trees are level on points with Chelsea and Arsenal above them.
Rarely falling behind 💪
Nottingham Forest have spent the least amount of time trailing in matches this season 🌳 pic.twitter.com/7Ms8kYenfD
— Premier League (@premierleague) November 20, 2024
Boasting the second-best defensive record in the Premier League and with Chris Wood in the goals, Forest are aiming for an ambitious tilt at European football.
Best Young Player – Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)
Morgan Rogers is making a case as Aston Villa’s most influential talent. The midfielder has recorded three goals and three assists, though it’s his all-round game and powerful ball-carrying that caught the eye in claret and blue.
His performances earned Rogers a new long-term contract and an England debut this month. Some sneered at his signing from the second tier in January but he has proven Unai Emery’s judgement right.
Morgan Rogers’ rise in the last year has been incredible! 🤩
📆 Aug 23: Playing for Middlesbrough 🔴⚪️
📆 Feb 24: Signed for Aston Villa ✍️
📆 Sep 24: Champions League debut 💫
📆 Nov 24: Senior England debut 🏴
📆 Nov 24: Contract extension until 2030 📈 pic.twitter.com/P0IChp0QDm— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 19, 2024
Most Improved Player – Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool)
Liverpool’s failure to sign a number six for the third straight summer was used to discredit their chances of challenging this season, but opportunity knocked for Ryan Gravenberch. Accustomed to a more advanced role, Gravenberch has thrived in a deeper position, where is press-resistance and duel-winning has made the Dutchman integral to Arne Slot’s side.
Still just 22, Liverpool might have stumbled upon the long-term answer.
Ryan Gravenberch is the only midfielder in the Premier League with 𝗮𝗹𝗹 of the following this season:
◉ 20+ interceptions (21)
◉ 20+ tackles (20)
◉ 60+ possessions won (63)All-action. ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/0hGGAvxOqz
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) November 21, 2024
Best Goal – Cole Palmer (Chelsea) vs Brighton
Cole Palmer’s quality is on show on a weekly basis in a Chelsea shirt. Whether it’s spectacular goals or eye-of-the-needle passes, Palmer is the man who makes Chelsea tick.
The 22-year-old’s four-goal performance against Brighton earlier in the campaign was incredible, while there’s unlikely to be a better hat-trick goal scored this season.
The boy is a genius. 💫#CFC | #CHEBHA pic.twitter.com/pIuZIiKKll
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 28, 2024
Best Game – Brentford 5-3 Wolves
Eight goals, end-to-end action and the right amount of defensive lapses to produce a Premier League classic.
Best Signing – Nikola Milenkovic (Nottingham Forest)
Having been courted by some of Europe’s elite in past windows, Nottingham Forest’s capture of Nikola Milenkovic was seen as a coup in the summer. Having reached three cup finals at Fiorentina over the last two seasons, the £12m fee seemed more than reasonable.
The Serbian centre-back has proven to be a fine investment for Forest, forming a fine partnership at centre-back with Murillo. His no-nonsense box defending has been a fine complement for the athleticism and ball-playing of Murillo, helping Forest to the second-best defensive record in the Premier League.
Read – Ranked! The five best goals of the Premier League season so far
See more – Premier League players who shone during the international break