The Premier League has confirmed the nominees for the Player and Manager of the Month awards for December 2024
The final month of 2024 saw 63 games, 189 goals and the appointment of two new Premier League managers.
In the midst of that fog of holiday football, the English league powers managed to single out eight nominees for player of the month and four candidates for the managerial equivalent. Liverpool pairing Mohamed Salah and Arne Slot these awards were given in November and are again in competition.
However, the rest of the division – and another figure from the Merseyside giants – can stake their claim for the final battle for individual honours.
No player can measure up Alexander Isakscored eight goals in the Premier League in December. The rubbery Swede scored in all six of Newcastle United’s matches last month to complete the first hat-trick of his career in England against Ipswich Town the last weekend before Christmas. No wonder they are Magpies value it at £150 million.
Isaac’s underrated partner in crime throughout this hit streak was Jacob Murphy. The unheralded Norwich City academy graduate has replicated Isak’s three goals and scored three himself during this run. Only one player managed to collect more assists than Murphy – Mohamed Salah.
Liverpool’s relentless talisman balanced his swelling streak of seven assists with as many goals. Similar to the fellow nominee Trent Alexander-ArnoldSalah’s uncertain contract situation at Liverpool did not affect his performance on the pitch.
Chelsea ensured that Cole Palmer it’s not going anywhere. The Blues matched their talented playmaker with a new nine-year contract in the summer and watched him nonchalantly stroll through another impressive campaign. Despite the team’s slump in form – Chelsea ended December with one point from three games – Palmer was at his best.
The main creator of Nottingham Forest Morgan Gibbs-White he also received recognition for his performances in December, but fame does not belong only to attacking players. Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen and Fulham’s flying full-back Antonee Robinson are also nominated.
As Liverpool’s lead at Top of the Premier League remains a healthy six points, Arne Slott is an obvious candidate to retain his managerial award. However, Nuno Espirito SantoNottingham Forest’s Nottingham Forest boasted a better record than the Reds in December, topping the festive table with 15 points from six games.
Five straight wins at the end of the year took Forest to the dizzying heights of second place – their highest position this late in a top-flight season since 1994. Ever the realist, Nuno quashed any early dreams of Champions League qualification insisting: “It doesn’t mean anything. We haven’t achieved anything yet.”
Unlike Forest, who lost to Manchester City (which is a rarity these days), Andoni IraolaBournemouth remained unbeaten during December. The Cherries have held on to three draws, but their full throttle and football is impressive defeat of Manchester United it brought the Spanish coach a moment in the spotlight.
Eddie Howe completed the trio of nominees for Newcastle this month. As well as securing qualification for the Carabao Cup semi-finals, the Magpies boss led his side to four straight league wins without conceding a single goal – the latest of which was just the club’s third first league victory at Old Trafford since 1950
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