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Rashford and Saka make the cut, but no space for Manchester City star
The English Premier League has revealed a seven-man shortlist for the January Player of The Month award that features familiar names and one surprising exclusion.
Rashford nominated after brilliant month
Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford tops the list and will be amongst the favourites for the award after another sensational month of football from the 25-year-old forward.
Rashford scored three goals in four Premier League matches in January and has now scored 10 goals in his last 10 games in all competitions as he continues his exceptional post-World Cup form.
Also nominated was Rashford’s international teammate Bukayo Saka, who has continued to help Arsenal towards a first league title since 2004 and contributed a goal and an assist in three Premier League matches in January for Arsenal.
Brighton’s Sulley March, who recorded three goals and an assist in three matches for the Seagull’s has also been nominated.
He had a brilliant month that was highlighted by an incredible performance against Liverpool that saw him score twice and assist the last goal in Brighton’s 3-0 win.
Worthy nominations for Raya, Johnson and Mahrez, but no Haaland
Newcastle’s Dan Burn also made the shortlist after helping Newcastle to a month of clean sheets and no defeats in the league.
Brentford goalkeeper David Raya also makes the shortlist after a month where he only conceded once and had a man of the match performance against Leeds where his five saves kept Brentford in the game.
Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson is also a contender for the award after contributing to four goals in four matches as Forest make their way towards the top half of the Premier League.
Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez is Africa’s only representative on the shortlist and his three goals and two assists for the Cityzen’s means he has contributed to more goals than any other player on the list.
Interestingly, there was no place for Mahrez’s Manchester City teammate who scored four goals in January.
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