De Bruyne, De Gea top six-man shortlist for EPL Player of the Month award
Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne and Manchester United goalie David De Gea are among six players who have been shortlisted for January 2022’s Premier League Player of the Month award.
De Bruyne played three games for Man City in the month under review, winning twice and drawing one. The playmaker was instrumental for Manchester City, scoring a superb winner against Chelsea before setting up Aymeric Laporte at Southampton from a free-kick.
De Gea made 22 saves in January, five more than any other goalkeeper. That included eight stops to inspire a 3-1 win at Brentford and seven versus Wolverhampton Wanderers while he kept a clean sheet against West Ham United.
West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen also made the cut and was influential in the Hammers’ successive wins at the start of January. He scored twice against Norwich City, before he was on target again versus Leeds United to take his tally for the season to six.
Described by Pep Guardiola as the best free-kick taker in Europe, Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse is also a contender. The Saints’ captain scored a stunning free-kick at Wolves, provided an assist in the victory over Brentford and produced a tireless display to help halt Man City’s winning run in a 1-1 draw.
Leeds United’s Jack Harrison and Wolves’ Joao Moutinho complete the list of the shortlists.
The Leeds winger scored his first hat-trick in professional football to earn a 3-2 victory at West Ham and he was also on the scoresheet in the 3-1 win over Burnley.
Wolves’ midfield maestro was at his best as The Wanderers won all three matches. He scored a fine winner at Manchester United to cap off an impressive individual display and provided a goal and an assist against Brentford.
