2024/25 Championship PFA Players' Player of the Year nominees.

2024/25 Championship PFA Players' Player of the Year nominees.

The 2024/25 Championship season showcased remarkable talent, with the PFA announcing six nominees for the Players' Player of the Year award. This award, voted by fellow players, recognizes exceptional individual contributions.

Below is a brief look at each nominee and their impact:

  • Ao Tanaka (Leeds United): Scored 5 goals in 45 appearances, pivotal in Leeds' title win, and named in the Championship Team of the Season.
  • Borja Sainz (Norwich City): Scored 18 goals and 4 assists in 41 games, a key attacking force for Norwich.
  • Daniel James (Leeds United): Contributed 12 goals and 9 assists in 36 games, earning Leeds' Player of the Year.
  • Gustavo Hamer (Sheffield United): Scored 10 goals and 9 assists in 39 starts, a creative midfielder despite team's challenges.
  • James Trafford (Burnley): Kept 29 clean sheets, helping Burnley concede only 16 goals, a record-breaking season.
  • Josh Brownhill (Burnley): Scored 18 goals in 42 appearances, captaining Burnley to promotion with significant midfield impact.

Below, we detail each nominee's performance, background, and contributions, supported by statistics and notable achievements. A table summarizing key stats is included for clarity.

Nominee
Club
Goals
Assists
Appearances
Notes
Ao Tanaka
Leeds United
5
2
45
Outstanding debut, pivotal in title win, Championship Team of Season
Borja Sainz
Norwich City
18
4
41
Joint second-highest scorer, key attacking force
Daniel James
Leeds United
12
9
36
Leeds Player of Year, crucial in title run, Team of Season
Gustavo Hamer
Sheffield United
10
9
39 (starts)
Creative midfielder, standout despite team challenges
James Trafford
Burnley
0
0
45
29 clean sheets, record-low 16 goals conceded
Josh Brownhill
Burnley
18
3
42
Captain, joint top scorer, vital in promotion

1. Ao Tanaka (Leeds United) - Ao Tanaka, a 26-year-old Japanese international, had a remarkable debut season with Leeds United after joining from Fortuna Düsseldorf in August 2024. He made 45 appearances across all competitions, scoring 5 goals, with one notable strike against Hull City voted as Leeds United's Goal of the Season Leeds United - Ao Tanaka Profile. His versatility in midfield, described as "undroppable" by November 2024, was crucial in Leeds securing the Sky Bet Championship title. Tanaka's inclusion in the Championship Team of the Season at the EFL Awards further underscores his impact, reflecting his energy and control in midfield 2024/25 Goal of the Season: Ao Tanaka - Leeds United. Prior to Leeds, he played in the 2. Bundesliga and represented Japan at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, scoring a winning goal against Spain.

2. Borja Sainz (Norwich City) - Borja Sainz, a 24-year-old Spanish left winger, emerged as a key figure for Norwich City in the 2024/25 season, scoring 18 goals and providing 4 assists in 41 appearances Borja Sainz's Norwich City report card after 2024/25 | The Pink Un. His goal tally made him the joint second-highest scorer in the Championship, highlighting his clinical finishing and creativity. Sainz joined Norwich from Giresunspor in Turkey in the summer of 2023, and after a turbulent first season, he elevated his game to become a standout performer. His performances, including goals in the EFL Cup against Fulham and the FA Cup against Liverpool, have attracted interest from other clubs, indicating his growing reputation Borja Sainz - Wikipedia. Despite a slight dip post-Christmas, his overall contribution was vital for Norwich's campaign.

3. Daniel James (Leeds United) - Daniel James, a 27-year-old Welsh international, had a fine campaign with Leeds United, scoring 12 goals and recording 9 assists in 36 Championship appearances 2024/25 Player of the Year: Daniel James - Leeds United. His contributions were instrumental in Leeds' title-winning season, earning him the Leeds United Player of the Year award and a place in the Championship Team of the Season. James began the season strongly, scoring in the Yorkshire Derby against Sheffield Wednesday and delivering standout performances, such as two goals in a 4-0 win against Watford and crucial goals against Luton Town and Middlesbrough. His pace and ability to influence games made him one of the division's most exciting players, building on his previous season's 13 goals and 7 assists Daniel James (footballer) - Wikipedia.

4. Gustavo Hamer (Sheffield United) - Gustavo Hamer, a 27-year-old Dutch midfielder born in Brazil, had an outstanding season with Sheffield United, scoring 10 goals and providing 9 assists in 39 starts Gustavo Hamer - Sheffield United Midfielder - ESPN (UK). Despite Sheffield United's relegation from the Premier League in the previous season, Hamer's individual performances were notable, with 4 goals in 34 starts during that campaign. His creativity and goal-scoring ability from midfield made him a vital player, especially in a challenging season. Hamer joined Sheffield United from Coventry City in August 2023 on a four-year deal, making an immediate impact by scoring on his debut against Nottingham Forest Sheffield United - Gustavo Hamer Profile. His nomination reflects his consistency and ability to carry the team offensively, even in defeat.

5. James Trafford (Burnley) - James Trafford, a 22-year-old English goalkeeper, had an exceptional season with Burnley, equalling the record for the most clean sheets in a single season in English football with 29 James Trafford - Wikipedia. Burnley conceded only 16 goals in 46 games, setting a new record for the fewest goals conceded in a Football League season. Trafford's performances included a record-breaking run of 12 consecutive clean sheets between December and March, breaking the Championship history record. His reliability was crucial in Burnley's promotion back to the Premier League, finishing with 100 points and an unbeaten home record 2024–25 Burnley F.C. season - Wikipedia. Trafford joined Burnley from Manchester City in July 2023, and his performances also earned him a place in England's provisional Euro 2024 squad James Trafford Burnley Goalkeeper, Profile & Stats | Premier League.

6. Josh Brownhill (Burnley) - Josh Brownhill, a 29-year-old English midfielder and Burnley captain, had a remarkable season, scoring 18 goals in 42 appearances, starting 39, making him the joint runner-up in the league's top scorers Josh Brownhill | BurnleyFC. He also provided 3 assists, contributing significantly to Burnley's promotion-winning campaign, which saw them finish with 100 points and a 33-match unbeaten run. Brownhill's goal-scoring prowess from midfield, combined with his leadership, made him a key figure. He joined Burnley from Bristol City in January 2020 and has played 169 times for the club, previously helping them regain top-division status under Vincent Kompany Josh Brownhill - Wikipedia. His performances have attracted interest from clubs like West Ham United, with his contract set to expire on June 30, 2025 Josh Brownhill update emerges on Sky Sports after new West Ham reveal.

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