PL Scores takes on a different meaning here, because the first Premier League award of the 2026/27 season has already produced a strong August shortlist. Eight players have been nominated for the August 2026 EA SPORTS Player of the Month award, with the race split across Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Brentford.
The award recognises the best individual form from the opening month of the season, and this shortlist reflects that spread of influence. Fans have until 12:00 BST on Monday 7 September to cast their vote, with the winner set to be revealed on Friday 11 September.
The August shortlist
The eight nominees are Riccardo Calafiori, Rayan Cherki, Bruno Fernandes, Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, Mamadou Sangare, Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka. That gives the early-month award a familiar feel, with established names joined by players who made a real impression in August.
Arsenal are represented by Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka, while Manchester City have Rayan Cherki on the list. Manchester United's nominee is Bruno Fernandes, Chelsea's is Cole Palmer, Brentford are represented by Joao Pedro, and Mamadou Sangare completes the eight-player field.
What the August race tells us
Shortlists like this often tell you as much about momentum as they do about reputation. A player can stand out in just two matches, and the August voting makes that clear by drawing together players whose early-season impact was enough to catch the attention of Premier League captains and supporters alike.
There are numbers here that help explain why some of these names have been included. The month featured two matches, zero draws and zero losses for some standout teams, while the performances on the pitch included two assists, two clean sheets, one shot on target, two goals and one assist. One player also delivered a 28-minute hat-trick, while another contributed 27 defensive contributions and 12 recoveries in a 3-0 win decided in just 31 seconds of action.
That is the appeal of the monthly award. It does not just reward the obvious attacking headline. It also reflects consistency, influence and the ability to shape results in different ways, whether through goals, defensive work or control in key moments.
With voting now open until Monday 7 September, the final decision will come quickly. The winner will be confirmed on Friday 11 September, and that will settle the first Premier League monthly honour of the new campaign.
