Defoe among PFA Young Player nominees

Last updated : 14 April 2005 By Alistair Murray

Not surprisingly, Chelsea players dominate the nominations for the main award. However, Tottenham and England striker Jermain Defoe has a chance of scooping the Young Player of the Year award, which last season went to Scott Parker, four months after the midfielder had moved to Stamford Bridge.

Defoe has scored in each of Tottenham's last two home games in the Premiership.

PFA Chief Executive Gordon Taylor gave his verdict on each of the nominees - he had the following to say about Defoe:

"He's a top quality striker with a real, genuine eye for goal.

"Razor sharp around the box, great balance, good skills and finishing ability, Jermain is another product of the West Ham academy and another player who learned their trade under Harry Redknapp.

"The England manager should be grateful that we have got talents like him coming through. Spurs have suddenly got themselves together well under Martin Jol and Jermain seems to be benefiting as a result - it's worth noting that the spine of the team (Defoe, King and Robinson) is all English.

"Extremely talented as a kid, it was only a question of time before things started to happen for Jermain."

The other five nominees in Defoe’s category are all attacking players: Arjen Robben (Chelsea), Christiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney (both Manchester United), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), and Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough).