The Liverpool midfielder, who may also be in the running for the senior award after a superb year at Anfield, won an overwhelming 49% of the vote - way ahead of the rest of a star-studded field.
Arsenal and England left back Ashley Cole came in second with 14% of the poll with Blackburn midfielder and England Under-21 captain David Dunn perhaps a surprising third coming a further four percent behind.
Leeds' Alan Smith received 9%, mainly for his performances for David O'Leary's side in Europe, while Manchester United centre back Wes Brown - who came to the fore during Jaap Stam's absence in the early part of the season - was two percent further back.
Chelsea's impressive young centre half John Terry received 3% of the vote, while West Ham's well-publicised starlets Joe Cole and Michael Carrick finished bottom of the poll.
