The opening month of the 2025–26 Premier League season concluded with the official release of the August Player and Manager of the Month nominees. The shortlist reflects a mix of attacking returns, defensive leadership and encouraging starts for newly aligned teams.

Riccardo Calafiori has been Arsenal’s starting left back so far this season. That freedom to get involved further up the field produced one goal and two assists across three games in August, with two clean sheets adding to a strong month for the Italian.

Liverpool supply two names. Hugo Ekitiké had two goals and an assist in his first three Premier League games, while Dominik Szoboszlai claimed headlines with a free-kick winner against Arsenal before the international break.

Jack Grealish returned to these shortlists after joining Everton on loan from Manchester City. Four assists in three games have underlined his early impact following his transfer, which was described in earlier reporting as a £100 million ($134.3 million) move to the Etihad.

Marc Guéhi navigated transfer uncertainty to produce a series of solid displays for Crystal Palace, overseeing two away clean sheets at Aston Villa and Chelsea and scoring a long-range goal against Villa.

Erling Haaland, who won this award in August 2024, registered three goals in as many games for Manchester City, finding the net against Brighton & Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

João Pedro matched Grealish for direct goal contributions across August, scoring twice against Fulham and West Ham United and adding two assists in the latter fixture while leading Chelsea’s midfield in the absence of the injured Cole Palmer.

Antoine Semenyo, who made allegations of racist abuse against a Liverpool fan in Bournemouth’s opening game, responded on the pitch with two goals against Liverpool and an assist against Wolves.

Sunderland began life back in the Premier League strongly under Régis Le Bris, who has two wins from three games. Wilson Isidor grabbed attention with two goals off the bench.

On the managerial side, Chelsea remain unbeaten under Enzo Maresca after recovering from a stuttering home draw with Crystal Palace to beat West Ham and Fulham. David Moyes has overseen Everton’s resurgence, with Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye central to two wins in three. Arne Slot’s Liverpool sit top with the only remaining perfect record, claiming wins over Bournemouth, Newcastle United and Arsenal prior to the arrival of Alexander Isak.

Jack Grealish had an immediate influence on his first full start for Everton as the Toffees beat Brighton in the Premier League curtain-raiser at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. The winger arrived on loan from Manchester City this summer as one of the club’s marquee signings and provided the creative spark Everton needed.

Grealish was released down the left flank by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and flashed in a cross for Iliman Ndiaye, who booted the ball into the net for the opening goal after 22 minutes. The 29-year-old then played the decisive role again in the second half when he set up James Garner, who sealed all three points with a thumping finish from outside the area to give David Moyes’ men their first victory of the season.

Grealish reflected on his start after the game. “It was massive,” Grealish told Sky Sports after the full-time whistle. “First game at the new stadium and we wanted to put on a show for the supporters. Very happy to get the win.

“It’s massive. I loved my time at Man City and I had a great four years there and won a lot of things. As soon as I spoke to David Moyes on FaceTime, I wanted to come here and today shows why.

“I said yesterday that the manager hadn’t played us together in training. Today is the first time.”

Ndiaye, who opened the scoring, believes a fruitful partnership can develop. “Jack is an amazing player, we all know that,” the attacker said. “He assisted me for the first goal and the second goal. It could be very good this season.”

Moyes praised the attacking additions while stressing the need for consistency. “We’ll see how they play and if their performances are good,” he said. “Jack has got a couple of assists today and Iliman has a goal. We need to score more goals. One thing I don’t want to lose is the spirit on the pitch. We want more flair and quality.”

Everton will take confidence from the victory as they build momentum with their new-look attacking options.

Leeds United have reached a deal in principle to sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin on a free transfer following his departure from Everton. “The 28-year-old striker is set to undergo a medical at training ground Thorp Arch imminently, with a view to completing the move,” reported David Ornstein in The Athletic .

The transfer closes a nine-year chapter at Goodison Park for Calvert-Lewin, who joined Everton from Sheffield United in 2016. He made 274 appearances and scored 71 goals, establishing himself as a central attacking figure for the club despite persistent injury setbacks. Everton offered him a new contract last summer, but talks failed to produce an agreement. In June the striker confirmed his decision to leave, writing on Instagram: “This isn’t something I chose lightly. Everton has been my home since I was 19 years old. It’s the place that saw potential in me, challenged me to grow, and shaped me both as a footballer and as a man.”

Leeds return to the Premier League after winning the Championship last season, and this recruitment underlines their intent to remain competitive at the higher level. Calvert-Lewin would be the club’s eighth signing of the summer, joining fellow striker Lukas Nmecha, who arrived from Wolfsburg. The England international has been capped 11 times and scored four goals for his country, with his last appearance coming in 2021. A move to a newly promoted side with an attacking approach could offer a platform to revive his international prospects.

There is a clear risk and potential reward. While his injury record is a concern, his aerial dominance, strong hold-up play and intelligent movement in the box are proven assets when fit. Leeds will be reliant on their medical and conditioning staff to manage his fitness and maximise availability. His experience in high-pressure matches and his ability to play as a lone forward or alongside another striker give the team tactical flexibility. Arriving on a free transfer reduces the immediate financial exposure, and his leadership could aid younger players. If he remains fit and finds form, this signing could prove decisive for Leeds in the season ahead.