The Premier League title has long since been won and the battle to avoid relegation was also decided weeks ago, leaving the fight to qualify for European football in 2025-26 as the major outstanding issue of this season. As the 20 clubs of the domestic top-flight prepare to wrap up their league campaigns over the next week, including Sunday’s 10-game final day, The Athletic‘s team of experts have been voting in their annual end-of-season awards. These cover the Premier League, the Championship and also the big competitions in Europe.
Mohamed Salah set standards nobody could get close to as he propelled Liverpool to the title. The prolific Egyptian flourished under new head coach Arne Slot, breaking the record for most goal involvements in a 38-game Premier League season (46 and counting). The previous best was 44, achieved by Thierry Henry of Arsenal (2002-03) and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland (2022-23). Salah, who is also on the brink of winning his fourth Premier League Golden Boot in eight seasons as the division’s top scorer, has tormented top-flight defenders. As well as netting 28 league goals, he has also been the champions’ most creative force with 18 league assists. Across all competitions this season, he has 33 goals and 23 assists in 51 appearances — climbing to third place on the club’s all-time scoring list with 244.
According to The Athletic, Salah’s impressive performance earned him the Premier League Player of the Season award. James Pearce of The Athletic noted that Salah’s achievement is all the more impressive given that he has signed a new contract to replace the one that was expiring this summer, so Premier League defenders face having to deal with him for two more years.
Morgan Rogers is a unique footballer. He is nimble and fleet of foot, but is seemingly built of concrete. His physicality has created a rare type of attacker — a brilliant ball-carrier who is hardly ever outmuscled. Combine all of this with a developed end-product and you get a 22-year-old who is a critical cog in manager Unai Emery’s Aston Villa system. Few players enjoy a rise as swift or sharp as Rogers’ has been, going from a so-so midfielder at Middlesbrough in the second-tier Championship and during a string of previous EFL loans, to an England international and elite playmaker in less than 18 months.
Jacob Tanswell of The Athletic highlighted Rogers’ impressive performance, which earned him the Premier League Young Player of the Season award. This award was voted for by The Athletic‘s subscribers.
There are a few managers who have earned their place in Nottingham Forest history by inspiring truly remarkable transformations in the club’s fortunes. Brian Clough took Forest up from the second tier in 1978 and over the next three seasons made them not just domestic champions but kings of Europe — twice. Frank Clark followed another top-flight promotion in the early 1990s by swiftly earning UEFA Cup qualification and Steve Cooper took over a team fighting relegation to the third tier in September 2021 and within nine months had the club back in the Premier League after 23 years away.
With the job he has done at the City Ground since replacing Cooper in December 2023, Nuno Espirito Santo has more than earned his place among that group. Forest spent the previous two seasons fighting against relegation. Many pundits predicted back in August that it would be the same story again. But Nuno has proved Forest’s doubters wrong. According to The Athletic, Nuno has given Forest an identity again, a mentality that has seen them beat Liverpool, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Manchester United (twice) this season. He has allowed their fans to dare to dream that nothing is impossible.
Paul Taylor of The Athletic noted that Nuno’s impressive performance earned him the Premier League Manager of the Season award.
The Premier League Team of the Season has been announced, with several players from Liverpool, Arsenal, and Nottingham Forest included. The team features Matz Sels, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Gabriel, Milos Kerkez, Declan Rice, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak, and Chris Wood.
Duncan Alexander of The Athletic highlighted the team’s impressive performance, which included several standout players.
Kaoru Mitoma has been awarded the Premier League Goal of the Season for his exceptional goal against Chelsea. The goal was a technical masterpiece, with Mitoma controlling a ball before it bounced, arriving over his head while running at speed.
Andy Naylor of The Athletic praised Mitoma’s skill and composure, which earned him the award.
Dean Huijsen has been recognised as The Athletic’s Insiders’ Signing of the Season for his impressive debut season with Bournemouth. The 20-year-old Dutch-born centre-back has been integral to their eye-catching season and was recognised at international level when he made his Spain debut in March.
John Stanton of The Athletic noted that Huijsen’s performances made him one of Europe’s most sought-after young players.
Raphinha has been awarded the European Men’s Player of the Season for his impressive performance. According to The Athletic, Raphinha has been devastating this season, scoring 34 goals and providing 22 assists across 54 appearances in all competitions.
Pol Ballus of The Athletic praised Raphinha’s performance, which earned him the award.
Lamine Yamal has been recognised as the European Men’s Young Player of the Season for his breakout season with Barcelona. The 17-year-old has been a source of talent and creativity in one of the teams of the season.
Pol Ballus of The Athletic noted that Yamal’s performance was remarkable and deserving of the award.
Luis Enrique has been awarded the European Men’s Manager of the Season for his impressive performance with Paris Saint-Germain. According to The Athletic, Enrique has largely worked with his tried-and-tested 4-3-3 system and has brought the best out of Ousmane Dembele in a new centre-forward role.
Michael Cox of The Athletic praised Enrique’s performance, which earned him the award.
The European Men’s Team of the Season has been announced, with several players from Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Liverpool included.
Michael Cox of The Athletic highlighted the team’s impressive performance.
Pedri has been awarded the La Liga Player of the Season for his impressive performance with Barcelona. According to The Athletic, Pedri has been the key to Barca’s tremendous season, directing games from the centre of the park.
Dermot Corrigan of The Athletic praised Pedri’s performance, which earned him the award.
Moise Kean has been awarded the Serie A Player of the Season for his impressive performance with Fiorentina.
James Horncastle of The Athletic praised Kean’s performance, which earned him the award.
Michael Olise has been awarded the Bundesliga Player of the Season for his impressive performance with Bayern Munich.
Seb Stafford-Bloor of The Athletic noted that Olise’s performance was remarkable and deserving of the award.
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