The Premier League have revealed the nominees for October’s Player and Manager of the Month awards.
Eight players are up for the prize this time, with September’s winner looking to reclaim the trophy in back-to-back months.
Meanwhile, there are four managers hoping to take home the award this month, with a new winner set to be crowned after Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca failed to make the shortlist.
19-year-old Facundo Buonanotte‘s impressive start to the season ramped up in October, bagging the winner in Leicester City’s 1-0 win over Bournemouth before finding the back of the net the following week in a 3-2 comeback win over Southampton.
At the top of the Premier League table, Josko Gvardiol played every minute of Manchester City‘s perfect October and even recorded more touches and passes than any other player in the division. His screamer against Wolverhampton Wanderers alone is worthy of nomination.
Bryan Mbeumo bagged three more goals for Brentford, netting against Wolves and adding a double against Ipswich Town to take his tally to eight goals in just nine Premier League games this season, having operated as a winger, a striker and an attacking midfielder.
Few players are in better form than Cole Palmer of Chelsea. He created eight chances across October, including an assist against Nottingham Forest, and even scored against Newcastle United, but his top assist came with an out-of-this-world pass in the build-up to his side’s first goal against the Magpies.
October’s leader when it comes to goal contributions, Bukayo Saka ended the month with two in both the goals and assists columns, despite having to miss one of Arsenal‘s three games through injury.
Nottingham Forest are the only side with more than one nominee this month. Goalkeeper Matz Sels earns his place after a hectic October brought 14 saves in three games, and at the other end of the pitch, striker Chris Wood dazzled with a whopping four goals.
Rounding things off, Danny Welbeck netted in back-to-back-to-back games against Tottenham, Newcastle and Wolves, seeing him reach 100 Premier League goal involvements.
The only side to go three-for-three in October, Man City ended October top of the Premier League after Pep Guardiola helped oversee victories over Fulham, Wolves and Southampton, all while navigating an injury crisis that left him unable to name a full bench last time out.
October was a fantastic month for Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo. After drawing with Chelsea, Forest beat both Crystal Palace and Leicester to force their way into the conversation for a European spot, having lost just once all season so far.
Fabian Hurzeler has made a big impact at Brighton, who find themselves sixth in the standings after recording another two wins in October. The young boss helped mastermind crucial victories over both Tottenham and Newcastle.
A 2-2 draw with Arsenal in October’s final outing saw Liverpool drop off the top of the Premier League table, but it was an otherwise excellent month for Arne Slot, whose Reds beat Crystal Palace before coming out on top against a high-flying Chelsea side.
