The 50th PFA Awards ceremony took place at the Lowry Theatre in Manchester yesterday evening, with several players emerging worthy winners at the ceremony. The ceremony is held annually and is used to recognize different players in every division of English football, from the Premier League to the National League and even women’s football.
It’s good that women are getting the recognition they deserve in a sport dominated by men. Rachel Daly and Lauren James of Aston Villa and Chelsea, respectively, won major accolades at yesterday’s PFA Awards ceremony for their contribution to English football in the past year.
Rachel Daly wins PFA Players’ Player of the Year
While all eyes were on Erling Haaland for winning the men’s PFA Players’ Player of the Year award, Rachel Daly was also making rounds for winning the women’s award for the same category. The England international was in superb form for Aston Villa in her debut season last campaign, scoring 22 goals in the league.
Daly joined Aston Villa last season from US outfit Houston Dash, and she quickly became one of the club’s most important players, earning her a call-up to the England squad for the 2023 Women’s World Cup hosted by Australia and New Zealand. The Aston Villa forward scored in the 6-1 dismantling of China and continued to help her team to reach the final of the World Cup before being beaten by Spain in the final, courtesy of Olga Carmona’s goal, although Rubiales’ actions during the celebrations have cast a massive shadow on Spain’s success.
An incredible season and the @BarclaysWSL top scorer.
PFA Players’ Player of the Year, @RachelDaly3 👏#PFA50 #PFAawards @AVWFCOfficial pic.twitter.com/0LghYqyD2t
— Professional Footballers’ Association (@PFA) August 29, 2023
Daly was also named in the PFA Team of the Year for her contributions to Villa’s success last season. She won the PFA Award ahead of Sam Kerr and Guro Reitan of Chelsea, Kadija Shaw of Manchester City, Frida Maanum of Arsenal, and Ona Batlle of Barcelona.
Lauren James wins PFA Young Player of the Year
Chelsea lifted the Women’s Super League last season, and Lauren James played a part in it. The former Manchester United star scored five goals in 15 starts for Chelsea, earning her a call-up to the national team to represent England at the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Lauren James started the competition brightly, scoring three goals in three games for England before being sent off in the quarter-final match against Nigeria when she stamped on Alozie’s leg.
This did not stop the PFA from recognizing her success in the previous season, winning the PFA Young Player of the Year ahead of Lauren Hemp, Katie Robinson, Maya Le Tissier, and Missy Bo Kearns.
PFA Young Player of the Year 🔥
👏 @laurenjamess22 #PFA50 #PFAawards @ChelseaFCW pic.twitter.com/Z40SroduIR
— Professional Footballers’ Association (@PFA) August 29, 2023
For men’s football, Bukayo Saka won the PFA Young Player of the Year for his incredible season with Arsenal last campaign, leading a title charge that only fell short to Manchester City in the season’s final weeks.
Will Lauren James carry her form into the new Women’s Super League season? Let us know what you think in the comments.
