The first month of the Premier League is almost over with this weekend’s round of fixtures representing the final games in August. Already, we have witnessed some outstanding individual and team performances, setting markers down for the rest of the season. The first awards of the season will be handed out following the conclusion of the Manchester United and Tottenham clash at Old Trafford on Monday night. Should Manchester City cruise past Wolves this weekend there will be few complaints about Pep Guardiola taking the August Manager of the Month award.
However, the Player of the Month award is slightly more difficult to call. There are currently several players vying for the honour following the first two rounds of fixtures and their performances this weekend could make or break any chance of claiming the title.
Ahead of the third round of fixtures, we look at five players who need a big performance this weekend to stay in the running for the August Player of the Month award.
3. Sadio Mane – Liverpool
Having somewhat lived in the shadow of Mo Salah last season, Sadio Mane has started the new season with a bang.
The Senegalese forward has scored three goals in two games, collecting the Man of the Match award in both of his appearances so far. Playing on the left of Liverpool’s attacking trio, Mane has looked extremely dangerous and is reminding everyone why the Merseyside club forked out €40 million to sign him in 2016.
This weekend, Liverpool play Brighton at Anfield in a game which many expect the home team to win comfortably. Another goal or two and Man of the Match performance by the 26-year-old African will surely make him the front-runner to collect the August Player of the Month Award.
He has been in sparkling form so far and there is no reason why it shouldn’t continue on Saturday.
2 Marcos Alonso – Chelsea
Rumours of a late move to Madrid has not distracted Marcos Alonso as he put in two stellar performances for the Blues in the Premier League so far.
The left-back contributed to helping Chelsea keep a clean sheet against Huddersfield before scoring and assisting two of his team’s three goals during their thrilling 3-2 victory over Arsenal. The Spaniard picked up the Man of the Match award for his efforts.
Since signing for Chelsea in 2016, the 37-year-old has been directly involved in 19 Premier League goals, scoring 13 and assisting six. This makes him the highest-scoring defender in the English top flight over the past two seasons.
With Chelsea facing Newcastle at St. James’ Park on Sunday, Alonso will hope another big performance will keep him in the conversation for the August Player of the Month award.
1. Roberto Pereyra – Watford
Perhaps the most surprising inclusion on this list, Roberto Pereyra has enjoyed a fine start to the 2018/19 Premier League season.
The Argentinian began the season with a brace against Brighton during a Man of the Match performance. He followed that up by looking very threatening during his team’s 3-1 victory over Burnley and could play an essential role in Watford’s target of a top half finish this season.
Before the Burnley game, Pereyra has been involved in each of Watford’s previous six Premier League goals. The 27-year-old midfielder has also scored four goals in his last five games at Vicarage Road and will hope to add to that tally when Crystal Palace visit on Sunday.
Another dominating performance from the Argentinian and he could stake a major claim as the player of the month.