The Premier League have announced the six nominees for the August 2023 Player of the Month award.
The club season returned last month with fans treated to three rounds of Premier League action in August before another at the start of September prior to the international break.
Here's a closer look at the nominees.
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Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest)
- Appearances: 3
- Goals: 3
After a slow start to life back in England, Taiwo Awoniyi is now firmly among the Premier League's toughest strikers to pin down.
The Nigeria international ended the 2022/23 season with 10 goals in 27 league games as Nottingham Forest staved off relegation, and he's started the new campaign in fine form.
Awoniyi scored in each of Forest's three Premier League matches in August, including in narrow defeats away at Arsenal and Manchester United.
Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United)
- Appearances: 3
- Goals: 2
- Assists: 1
After losing club captain Declan Rice to Arsenal and their inability to swiftly replace him in the transfer market, many tipped West Ham United to battle relegation this season.
But the Hammers now look reinvigorated with David Moyes remaining at the helm and they've claimed some scalps this term already.
Jarrod Bowen was key to a superb August, scoring in their draw at Bournemouth and win at Brighton & Hove Albion, grabbing an assist in the latter too.
James Maddison (Tottenham Hotspur)
- Appearances: 3
- Goals: 1
- Assists: 2
Upon his arrival at Tottenham Hotspur, new signing James Maddison revealed a telling quote from incoming head coach Ange Postecoglou that helped persuade him to join the club.
"He said one thing to me on the call, I hope he won't mind me saying this, but he said, 'whether you come or not, you're going to see a completely different Spurs team under me', and that kind of stuck with me that he said that. I thought 'wow there's that same self belief that I've got in myself'," Maddison revealed in June.
Spurs have been outstanding early in the season, with Maddison grabbing three goal contributions in August.
Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford)
- Appearances: 3
- Goals: 3
With Ivan Toney not back until January, plenty wondered how Brentford would survive without their talisman.
Bryan Mbeumo has stepped into that glaring spotlight with ease. The Cameroon forward ended the Bees' unbeaten August with three goals, including a brace at west London rivals Fulham.
Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton & Hove Albion)
- Appearances: 3
- Goals: 1
- Assists: 2
There were suggestions over the summer that Kaoru Mitoma would prove to be a one-season wonder, a flash in the pan.
The Japan international has moved quickly to silence his doubters with an outstanding August, including a goal of the season contender away at Wolves.
Rodri (Manchester City)
- Appearances: 3
- Goals: 2
- Assists: 1
A late Ballon d'Or push, anyone?
Rodri is now firmly a fan favourite at Manchester City having scored the winning goal in June's Champions League final win against Inter.
The midfielder has carried that Midas touch into the new season, popping up with sensational strikes in victories at Burnley and Sheffield United.
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This article was originally published on 90min as Premier League confirm Player of the Month nominees for August 2023.
