Chelsea's Young Talents Buurman and Thompson Nominated for PFA Award
Chelsea’s next generation is no longer waiting in the wings. It’s on the ballot.
Two of the club’s brightest young talents, Buurman and Thompson, have been shortlisted for England’s Young Player of the Year at the PFA awards, recognition voted for by their fellow professionals after standout debut seasons in blue.
Buurman’s rapid rise
Buurman’s Chelsea story has moved quickly. She officially joined the Blues in September 2024, then immediately went back to PSV on loan, a move that might have suggested a slow-burn introduction to English football.
That idea didn’t last long.
Integrated into the first-team squad last summer, she became a regular option across the campaign, clocking 24 appearances in all competitions. Her breakthrough moment arrived in the FA Cup, in a high-pressure quarter-final against Tottenham Hotspur. She didn’t just open her account; she did it in style, scoring her first Chelsea goal in a statement win that underlined both her composure and her timing on the big stage.
From loanee to key squad member in a single season. It’s exactly the kind of trajectory that catches the eye of professionals casting their votes.
Thompson’s instant impact
If Buurman’s rise has been sharp, Thompson’s has been relentless.
Signed last summer from Angel City, the 21-year-old barely missed a beat in her first campaign in England. She featured 33 times in the 2025/26 season, the joint-highest appearance tally in the squad alongside Erin Cuthbert — a telling measure of trust from the coaching staff and resilience from the player.
Thompson didn’t just play, she produced. Nine goals across all competitions made her Chelsea’s second-highest scorer behind Sam Kerr, a return that would be impressive for any young forward, let alone one adapting to a new league, a new country, and the demands of a title-chasing side.
When a player is on the team sheet that often, and on the scoresheet that regularly, peers take notice. The nomination simply confirms it.
A strong Chelsea presence on a stacked list
The PFA’s six-player shortlist has a distinct Chelsea flavour: a full third of the nominees come from the Kingsmeadow dressing room. Alongside Buurman and Thompson, the list features Laura Blindkilde Brown (Manchester City), Freya Godfrey (London Lionesses), Toko Koga (Tottenham Hotspur) and Olivia Smith (Arsenal).
It’s a group that reflects the depth of young talent reshaping the women’s game in England, but Chelsea’s double presence is significant. Two players, two very different routes into the side, both landing in the same conversation: the best young player in the country.
The winner will be announced at the PFA’s annual awards ceremony at the Manchester Opera House on Tuesday 25 August. On a night built to celebrate the established stars of the game, the spotlight may well fall on the two Blues who are fast becoming its future.
