Arsenal duo included on list of nominees for PFA Women’s Players’ Player of the Year award | OneFootball

Arsenal duo Mariona Caldentey and Alessia Russo join Erin Cuthbert, Mary Fowler, Yui Hasegawa and Phallon Tullis-Joyce as the nominees for the PFA Women’s Players’ Player of the Year.

The PFA Women’s Players’ Player of the Year is an annual award recognising the player who has had the best season in English football, voted for by the players.

Bunny Shaw is the current holder of the award after scoring 24 goals and assisting four times in the 2023/24 campaign, but struggled with multiple injuries this season.

Here are the six nominees for this year’s edition of the award:

Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal)

Mariona made her mark in her debut WSL season after joining the Gunners from Barcelona last summer.

The Spain international had 26 goal contributions in all competitions, with eight vital goals in Arsenal’s run to becoming Champions League winners.

The 29-year-old came joint-third in the WSL for the Golden Boot and will be hoping to carry her form over for Spain in the Euros this summer.

Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea)

In her ninth season as a Chelsea player, the Scottish midfielder played a pivotal role as the Blues went unbeaten in the WSL and secured a domestic treble.

Cuthbert scored six goals in Sonia Bompastor’s first season in charge, commandeering the midfield with her wealth of experience, given the absence of Sophie Ingle and the departure of Maren Mjelde.

Her 91st-minute winner against Manchester City at the Etihad was decisive in Chelsea’s title hopes, after City took a 1-0 lead.

The 26-year-old was voted as Chelsea’s Players’ Player of the Season, highlighting her hard-working, determined mindset that got the Blues over the line.

Mary Fowler (Manchester City)

While Manchester City dropped in form this season, Fowler was still at her best, recording double figures in both goals and assists.

The 22-year-old was also named in contention for the PFA Young Player of the Season, enjoying her most productive season in a City shirt since joining in 2022.

Her season was cut short in April, suffering an ACL injury against Manchester United that will see her out of action for at least nine months.

Yui Hasegawa (Manchester City)

Manchester City’s Players’ Player of the Season joins her teammate in the list of nominees, after a stellar season in midfield for the Citizens.

Hasegawa won possession more times than any other player in the WSL, all without conceding a single foul across the entire season.

The 28-year-old also completed the most dribbles in the league, proving her value both on and off the ball.

The midfielder signed a two-year contract extension in January 2024, committing to City until 2027.

Alessia Russo (Arsenal)

Russo enjoyed a fruitful season for the Gunners in front of goal, ending joint-first for the WSL Golden Boot with 12 goals and contributing to Arsenal’s European success with eight goals in the Champions League.

The 26-year-old was also awarded the FWA Women’s Footballer of the Year for her efforts, highlighting her significant role in Arsenal’s success.

The England international was clinical when needed to be, scoring a brace in the second leg of the quarter-final to overturn a two-goal deficit against Real Madrid.

With the Euros up next, Russo will be aiming for a second Golden Boot award as England look to defend their title.

Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United)

The only goalkeeper to make the list of nominees. Tullis-Joyce had a superb season between the sticks, sharing the Golden Glove award with Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton.

Following the departure of Mary Earps last summer, the 28-year-old claimed the starting goalkeeper role, making it her own. She kept 13 clean sheets in 22 WSL appearances for the Red Devils.

The USA international also made her senior international debut under Emma Hayes in April 2025, completing a season of accomplishments for the Manchester United goalkeeper.