The striker had a standout season for Chelsea Under-21s, flourishing across all competitions at that level during the 2024/25 campaign.

McNeilly made a total of 32 appearances, with 20 of them coming in league action, scoring 13 goals and providing two assists in the Premier League 2. His contributions were vital in helping Filipe Coelho’s side secure a third-place finish in the regular league table.

He scored against 12 different teams throughout the league campaign, with memorable goals including a strike in Chelsea’s 4-1 victory over Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge. He also found the net in the 4-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the last 16 of the Premier League 2 play-offs.

The 19-year-old's impressive performances didn’t go unnoticed, earning him two nominations for Premier League Player of the Month - once in January and again in April. The club also nominated him for Chelsea’s November Goal of the Month award, for his stunning strike against Arsenal in a 2-1 London derby victory.

Our forward has now been shortlisted for the Premier League's overall Player of the Season award, alongside seven other players: Khayon Edwards from Arsenal, West Ham United’s Finlay Herrick and Lewis Orford, Fulham’s Callum Osmand, Crystal Palace’s Hindolo Mustapha and Manchester City duo Emilio Lawrence and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey.

The winner will be announced during at the Premier League Academy Awards evening on Tuesday 13 May.