Premier League announces 2024/25 award nominees: Salah and Slot lead the shortlist

The Premier League has officially announced the nominees for its 2024/25 Player and Manager of the Season awards. As expected, champions Liverpool feature heavily in both categories, with notable appearances from Newcastle, Nottingham Forest, and Brentford.

This season’s shortlist reflects a shift from the Manchester City-dominated narrative of recent years. Several clubs outside the traditional top two have produced standout contributors, signalling a broader spread of influence across the league.

Player of the Season Nominees

• Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

• Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

• Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool)

• Declan Rice (Arsenal)

• Alexander Isak (Newcastle United)

• Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest)

• Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest)

• Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford)

Mohamed Salah delivered 28 goals and 18 assists across all competitions by Matchweek 36, leading the Premier League in combined goal contributions. The Egyptian forward continued to lead Liverpool’s attack in the post-Klopp era, with elite consistency in finishing and combination play.

Virgil van Dijk featured in all 36 league matches, anchoring a Liverpool defence that kept 14 clean sheets. He completed 2,743 passes at a 91.76% accuracy rate, averaging 71.7 passes per game, and played a vital role in initiating build-up phases from deep.

Ryan Gravenberch emerged as a balanced midfield presence under Arne Slot. Across 35 appearances, he completed 89.05% of his passes, contributed four assists, and recorded 68 tackles and 57 interceptions—demonstrating effectiveness in both possession retention and defensive transitions.

Declan Rice registered 3 goals and 7 assists in 36 appearances for Arsenal. He completed 1,255 passes at a 90.2% success rate and produced 55 key passes—serving as a consistent connector between defensive and attacking phases.

Alexander Isak scored 23 goals in 33 Premier League games, including 19 from open play. Averaging a goal every 117 minutes, he also provided six assists, contributing to Newcastle’s attacking fluidity.

Morgan Gibbs-White tallied 6 goals and 8 assists in 32 appearances while creating 50 chances. With an average of 1.73 key passes per 90 minutes, he played a central role in Nottingham Forest’s chance creation and attacking structure.

Chris Wood, at age 34, delivered his most productive top-flight campaign with 20 goals and 3 assists. He maintained a shot conversion rate above 30% and remained dominant in aerial duels, central to Forest’s direct attacking system.

Bryan Mbeumo recorded 18 goals and 8 assists for Brentford while creating 67 chances. His ability to switch between flank and central roles made him a constant threat. According to Opta data, he ranked among the top seven players in big chances created.

Sources

All player statistics are sourced from PremierLeague.com, FBref.com, Opta (via The Analyst), StatMuse, Transfermarkt, and FootyStats.org. All figures reflect the state of play as of Matchweek 36.

Manager of the Season Nominees

• Arne Slot (Liverpool)

• Eddie Howe (Newcastle United)

• Thomas Frank (Brentford)

• Nuno Espirito Santo (Nottingham Forest)

• Vitor Pereira (Wolves)

Arne Slot led Liverpool to the top of the table with only two losses by Matchweek 36. His side scored 83 goals and led the league in expected goals (xG) and chance creation during this stretch, showcasing his 4-2-3-1 system’s emphasis on tempo, vertical passing, and rotational movement.

Eddie Howe guided Newcastle United toward their highest league finish since 1997. With 21 wins and a +32 goal difference by Matchweek 36, Newcastle conceded just 8.1 shots per match—highlighting their compact and disciplined defensive shape.

Thomas Frank brought Brentford into the final stages of the season in 8th position. If they maintain this standing, it will mark the club’s highest-ever Premier League finish. The team scored 63 goals and created 78 big chances, ranking 7th in attacking productivity according to Opta and StatMuse.

Nuno Espirito Santo helped Nottingham Forest collect 62 points and 13 clean sheets, exceeding preseason expectations. His side showed marked improvement in defensive structure and capitalised on the form of key players like Gibbs-White and Wood.

Vitor Pereira took charge of Wolves midway through the season when the team sat 19th in the table. Over 20 matches, he delivered 10 wins, halved the goals conceded per game, and significantly improved the squad’s physical intensity. This turnaround was further reinforced by a targeted set of January signings that added depth and tactical balance.

Sources

Managerial statistics and insights are based on data from PremierLeague.com, FBref.com, StatMuse, Opta (via The Analyst), and official club match reports. All figures reflect performances up to Matchweek 36.

The 2024/25 Premier League award race has highlighted a broader distribution of excellence. While Salah and Slot remain frontrunners, the final decision will depend on fan voting—ensuring a competitive finish to an already remarkable campaign.