Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer has been named England Men’s Player of the Year for the 2023-24 season, the Football Association announced on Tuesday. Palmer, 22, emerged as the fans’ favourite, ahead of Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, who finished second, and Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, who had won the award the previous two years, finishing third this time.
Palmer made his senior debut for England in November 2023 during a 2-0 home win against Malta and has since made nine appearances. His appearances at Euro 2024 included five appearances and two goals, one of which came in England’s final loss to Spain in Berlin. He also played a key role in the semi-final, assisting Ollie Watkins for a late winner against the Netherlands.
In club football, Palmer has been in excellent form, scoring six goals in seven Premier League games this season. His award marks the first time a Chelsea player has claimed the accolade since Ashley Cole, now England’s assistant manager, won it in 2010.
PREVIOUS WINNERS
2003 – David Beckham (Manchester United)
2004 – Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
2005 – Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
2006 – Owen Hargreaves (Bayern Munich)
2007 – Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
2008 – Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
2009 – Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
2010 – Ashley Cole (Chelsea)
2011 – Scott Parker (Tottenham Hotspur)
2012 – Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
2014 – Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
2015 – Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
2016 – Adam Lallana (Liverpool)
2017 – Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
2018 – Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
2019 – Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)
2020-21 – Calvin Phillips (Leeds United)
2021-22 – Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
2022-23 – Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
2023-24 – Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
