In an all-English line-up, the 22-year-old, who won the PFA young player award last season, is joined by Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe.
Conor Gallagher of Chelsea, Chelsea defender Reece James, and Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey round out the shortlist.
The winner will be announced on June 9th.
Despite missing the opening month of the season due to an injury sustained while playing for England at Euro 2020, Foden scored nine goals and provided five assists for Pep Guardiola’s Premier League-winning team.
Saka was Arsenal’s best scorer in the Premier League this season, with 11 goals, and he also had the joint-highest number of assists, with seven, tied with Alexandre Lacazette.
Emile Smith Rowe, Saka’s teammate who earned his first England cap this season, finished second on the Gunners’ league goalscoring record with ten.
Gallagher, who joined Crystal Palace from Chelsea on a season-long loan, scored eight goals for Patrick Vieira’s side and made his England debut in November.
With his nomination, Chelsea defender James completes a family double, since his sister is on the women’s young player shortlist.
This season, he scored five goals and added nine assists while providing defensive stability for a team that conceded fewer goals than everyone else in the Premier League save Manchester City and Liverpool.
Ramsey has blossomed under Steven Gerrard‘s tutelage at Aston Villa, establishing himself as a first-team regular this season and winning the club’s players’ player of the year title.
