da realsbet： With the ever-chaotic Christmas period out of the way, January should have seen the Premier League return to something close to normality. But in fact, it was the first month in which every member of the top four lost at least one game, while lowly Swansea City unexpectedly moved off the bottom of the table with their first consecutive wins of the season in the top flight. So which Premier League stars shone brightest during a an unpredictable start to 2018? Here’s a look at the nominees for the PFA Fans’ Player of the Month award for January…
Sergio Aguero
da betobet： January was yet another high-scoring month for the ever-potent Argentine, netting five times from just 14 shots and grabbing one assist during four appearances to further extend Manchester City’s lead at the top of the Premier League table. That includes a customary hat-trick against Newcastle, who have now conceded 14 goals to the 29-year-old throughout his Premier League career, and goals in wins over West Brom and Watford.
Kasper Schmeichel
Had it not been for a 2-1 defeat to Everton on Wednesday night, January would have been a perfect month for the Leicester City goalkeeper, keeping clean sheets against Huddersfield, Chelsea and Watford while making an impressive 14 saves – more than three per match. His performance at Stamford Bridge was particularly noteworthy, the Danish international recording seven saves and even coming out of his box to win two aerial duels.
Heung-min Son
After spending his first two campaigns in north London floating in and out of the team, Heung-min Son has steadily grown in importance for Tottenham throughout this season and January was another fine month for the South Korean international, scoring against West Ham and following up with a goal and assist in a 4-0 demolition of Everton at Wembley. Also completing 13 dribbles, he’s given Mauricio Pochettino something more direct in attack, but if there’s one criticism it’s that the forward was somewhat below his best against Southampton and Manchester United.
Marko Arnautovic
Marko Arnautovic’s January was unfortunately cut short through injury and it didn’t quite match the potent goalscoring exploits of December when he netted against Chelsea, Newcastle, Stoke and Bournemouth. But the Austrian international still hit the onion bag last month and produced three assists in as many appearances, most notably inspiring an impressive 4-1 win away at Huddersfield. The summer signing can’t return from injury soon enough for David Moyes.
Leroy Sane
Manchester City’s Leroy Sane may have only found the net once last month before suffering a serious injury but he supplemented that goal with two assists and was a key part of Pep Guardiola’s relentless attack, also completing a whopping 13 dribbles. The German international has steadily improved during his time in the Premier League and now looks a real asset for the pace-setters, averaging one goal or assist per top flight start so far this term.
Eden Hazard
Although January proved to be a very disappointing start to the New Year for Chelsea, winning only one of their four games and unexpectedly losing 3-0 at home to Bournemouth, it certainly wasn’t for the want of trying on Eden Hazard’s part. The Belgian was at something close to his immaculate best last month, scoring thrice while completing an incredible 40 dribbles and creating eleven chances. The absence of a dependable striker has cost him dearly in terms of assists, though, and Chelsea fans will be wondering why he couldn’t find a moment of magic to get them over the winning line in a scoreless draw with Leicester City.