So the guidline state
The Professional Footballers' Association Young Player of the Year (often called the PFA Young Player of the Year, or simply the Young Player of the Year) is an annual award given to the player aged 23 or under at the start of the season who is adjudged to have been the best of the season in English football
Season started in August
Harry Kane turned 24 in July yet he is nominated
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Ederson- Man City turned 24 in August
Sane- Man City turned 22 in January
Sterling- Man City turned 23 in December
Rashford- Man Utd turned 20 in October
Kane- Tottenham turned 24 in July
Sessegnon- Fulham turned 17 in May
If you're 24, you're potentially 7-8 years into your pro career, no way should you still be eligible for a 'young' player award.
Didn't realise Ederson was only 24 though, City may have spent a fortune but Pep has certainly built a side who can stick around for many years.
Players contracts run from 1 July each year. And a player not turning up for training until 1 August isn't going to last long.
When did the English league season ever not start in August?
Pre season training
Pre season friendly
So they are pre season as in before the season
The season usually begins in July because thats when Qualifying for the Champions League and Europa League begins... and Everton began their season in July this season... http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40724022
The same will happen again in the summer as if you click on the below link you'll see that the 6th placed team in the Premier League will enter at the Second Qualifying Round with the first leg potentially on the 12th July...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018%E2%80%9319_UEFA_Europa_League#Second_qualifying_round