The English Premier League has unveiled the eight players and four managers shortlisted for its first monthly awards of the 2026/27 season.
The nominations come after just two rounds of matches, with all 20 clubs having featured in the opening fixtures of the new campaign.
Supporters can vote for their preferred nominee until 12:00 BST on Monday, September 7. The final result will be determined by a combination of the fans’ vote, selections from a panel of football experts and Premier League captains. The winners will be announced on Friday, September 11.
Player of the Month shortlist According to the Premier League.
Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal)
P2 W2 D0 L0 G0 A2 CS2
Two assists in two matches would be strong numbers for a forward, but left-back Calafiori has been as effective defensively as he has been going forward for Arsenal. The Gunners are yet to concede this season, with their defence allowing only one shot on target across games against Coventry City and Aston Villa. Calafiori has been a constant threat on the overlap, with his brilliant low cross setting up Kai Havertz for Arsenal’s first goal of the season. Against Villa, another cutback provided Bukayo Saka with a tap-in for the winner.
Rayan Cherki (Manchester City)
P2 W2 D0 L0 G2 A2
Two goals and two assists have placed the attacking midfielder at the heart of Manchester City’s perfect start. Cherki came off the bench with City trailing against AFC Bournemouth on the opening weekend and set up two late goals to turn the match around. Starting against Crystal Palace, he scored a phenomenal solo goal after evading four defenders before finding the corner, then added a second with a crisp 20-yard strike.
Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
P2 W1 D0 L1 G3 A1
A stunning performance in Manchester United’s emphatic victory over Ipswich Town propelled Fernandes into Player of the Month contention. He scored a 28-minute hat-trick, drawing United level just before half-time with an emphatic strike, calmly converting a penalty and completing his treble with a sharp touch and finish. Fernandes also produced a beautiful long pass to set up Bryan Mbeumo for another goal.
Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
P2 W2 D0 L0 G2 A1
Two match-winning goals in two games have given the Chelsea playmaker a perfect start to the campaign. His goals included a brilliant dribble and finish against Brighton & Hove Albion and an intricate strike through Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno’s legs from a tight angle. Palmer also clipped the ball through for Joao Pedro to score within a minute against Fulham. He has looked sharp alongside Joao Pedro and new signing Morgan Rogers in Xabi Alonso’s attack.
Joao Pedro (Chelsea)
P2 W2 D0 L0 G2 A2
The Brazilian forward has continued where he left off last season, producing two dominant performances while scoring twice and setting up two match-winners. Joao Pedro set the tone against Fulham by scoring after just 31 seconds with a brilliant flick over Leno before laying the ball off for Palmer to score the decisive goal. Against former club Brighton, he finished well for Chelsea’s third goal before setting up Palmer once again for the winner.
Mamadou Sangare (Brentford)
P2 W1 D1 L0 G0 A1
Brentford’s new signing has been a driving force behind their unbeaten start. He set up a goal in the 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur with a brilliant one-two before playing the ball across for Keane Lewis-Potter. The box-to-box midfielder has dominated the centre of the pitch, making 27 defensive contributions, including 12 recoveries, six tackles and five interceptions. He has also won 12 duels and created four chances.
Konstantinos Tzolakis (Hull City)
P2 W2 D0 L0 CS2
Eight shots faced and no goals conceded have helped promoted Hull City secure a 100 per cent record after two matches. Tzolakis kept his composure while facing 21 shots in Hull’s first game, making five saves as they stunned Manchester United. He followed that performance with another clean sheet in a tight victory over fellow newly promoted side Coventry City.
Yoane Wissa (Newcastle United)
P2 W1 D1 L0 G1 A1
Wissa has shown his versatility under new Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle, impressing both as a No. 10 and as a striker. He was named Player of the Match in the draw against Liverpool, registering an assist after a driving run from outside his own box deep into the opposition half before finding Joe Willock. He then produced a superb improvised finish in the victory over Tottenham, acrobatically hooking the ball past Antonin Kinsky.
Manager of the Month shortlist according to the Premier LeagueÂ
Xabi Alonso (Chelsea)
P2 W2 D0 L0 GD+2
Chelsea’s new manager began his tenure with a perfect league record in August, winning his first two matches in emphatic fashion. Alonso’s new front three of Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers have been unstoppable, combining for five goals and four assists. The Blues beat Fulham before putting four past Brighton & Hove Albion. Although it is still early in Alonso’s tenure, Chelsea have already shown signs of becoming a difficult side to beat.
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
P2 W2 D0 L0 GD+4
The reigning champions have won both of their opening matches with the same control that characterised their title-winning campaign last season. Arsenal beat Coventry City by three goals before edging past fourth-placed Aston Villa from last season with a narrow victory. Their defensive record has been particularly impressive, with Arsenal yet to concede and their opponents managing just one shot on target across the two matches.
Sergej Jakirovic (Hull City)
P2 W2 D0 L0 GD+3
Hull City have made a sensational return to the Premier League after earning promotion through the Championship playoffs. Jakirovic masterminded a stunning opening-weekend victory over Manchester United before his side edged fellow promoted club Coventry City with a late winner. Hull have been organised, disciplined and resilient, with a defence yet to concede a goal. Goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis has also been shortlisted for the EA SPORTS Player of the Month award.
Enzo Maresca (Manchester City)
P2 W2 D0 L0 GD+4
Following Pep Guardiola is a difficult task, but Maresca has begun his Manchester City tenure with two wins from two matches. With City heading towards defeat against AFC Bournemouth, Maresca’s tactical changes transformed the game. Substitute Rayan Cherki set up both goals before scoring in the 84th minute and first minute of stoppage time to complete the comeback. City then produced a dominant 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace, with Cherki and Erling Haaland both scoring twice.
