PFA Women’s Young Player Of The Year nominees have been announced and Arsenal’s Leah WIlliamson has been included.

The six nominees are:

Freda Ayisi

The Birmingham City centre forward and ex-Arsenal player recently made the news for her part in the punch up contest against Manchester City and England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley. She was a fringe player at Arsenal Ladies and scored a few goals. Her main strength is her power and ability to hold the ball and play with her back to the goal. Her well know weakness is taking five touches on the ball when one or two are needed.

Hannah Blundell

The full back was part of the England u20 squad that played in Canada and a valuable member of Chelsea Ladies helping them to a runner-up place in the FA WSL . She is a typical modern full back good at defending and always available to help in attack on the overlap.

Aoife Mannion

The Birmingham City Ladies centre back has had a wonderful season leading her team to a Champions League semi finals with exceptional performances against world class player like Marta. She displayed maturity and calm beyond her age throughout the season and was also an England u20 World Cup squad member.

Nikita Parris

The Manchester City and ex-Everton forward was the only centre forward in the England u20 squad that managed to fulfil her promise. She made a big impact on the World Cup scene and would have deserved more exposure had the players around her performed as well as she did.  She was also the main goalscorer in an Everton Ladies side that ended up being relegated. She might soon get a full England call up providing that she keeps her temper in check as she is still very raw.

Amy Turner

The Notts County defender had a very good club season within the best defensive team in the League, she was recently called up for England at the Cyprus Cup ahead of Arsenal’s Jemma Rose which was bit of a surprise.

Leah Williamson

The odds-on favourite, captained the u17 teams at the Euros at home, and the u19 at the recent elite round scoring the very important penalty that sent England through to the finals in Israel. The versatile midfielder can play anywhere on the pitch if needed and had a breakthrough year at Arsenal Ladies.

Leah Williamson should be the favourite for the award but Nikita Parris performances at the u20 world cup and Aoife Mannion’s performances in the Champions League make them serious outsiders for the title.