The Premier League returned from the first international break of 2025/26 on September 13 with a condensed schedule to follow. FotMob’s ratings for Gameweek 4 highlighted several standout displays across a busy weekend.

FotMob placed Martín Zubimendi and Antoine Semenyo joint-top with 8.9 ratings. Zubimendi opened Arsenal’s win over Nottingham Forest with what the weekend described as the standout finish, a thumping volley from the edge of the area, and then completed the first brace of his senior career with a second-half header. Semenyo continued his strong start to the season against Brighton & Hove Albion, converting from the penalty spot and again showcasing the power that makes him a difficult opponent one-on-one.

Jérémy Doku produced a subtle but decisive performance in Manchester City’s derby victory. Guardiola deployed him to drift infield and overload Manchester United’s midfield pairing. Doku’s assist for Phil Foden came from the right half-space and his second assist was a perfectly weighted pass in behind for Erling Haaland to latch onto and double City’s lead. Gianluigi Donnarumma also produced an outstanding save at 2–0.

Phil Foden returned to an influential display in the same fixture. The local player opened the scoring with a guided header and delivered the verve that had been less apparent over the past 12 months. “Ricky Hatton’s passing the morning of supplied Foden with extra spirit and motivation,” the draft noted, and Foden’s performance suggested a marked return to form.

Three players shared fifth spot on 8.4, including Tottenham Hotspur’s Lucas Bergavll, who scored the first Premier League goal of his career in Spurs’ 3–0 win at West Ham United. Bergavll’s looping header over Mads Hermansen was the highlight of a complete display.

Defensively, Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté quietly anchored the Reds’ 1–0 win, finishing with the most duels won at 14 and eight defensive contributions to blunt Burnley’s counter-attacking threat. At Sunderland, goalkeeper Robin Roefs has started well after his summer move, displacing Anthony Patterson and keeping two clean sheets in his first four Premier League outings. He faced an xG of 1.36 and made six saves against Crystal Palace, with notable stops to deny Daichi Kamada from distance.

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.

Bournemouth have opened discussions with Chelsea over a potential loan-to-buy move for Axel Disasi as they seek to reinforce a depleted defence. “Axel Disasi could be on his way out of Chelsea soon as Bournemouth begin talks over a move for his services in a loan-to-buy deal.”

Disasi arrived at Chelsea in 2023 from Monaco for £38.5million and has made 61 appearances, but his time at Stamford Bridge has been inconsistent. His role was further limited after Enzo Maresca took charge and the club added Jorrel Hato this summer. He was omitted from Chelsea’s Club World Cup squad and did not make the bench for the Premier League opener against Crystal Palace. A loan to Aston Villa in January failed to revitalise his career, with Villa supporters quick to call for his return to Stamford Bridge following underwhelming displays.

Bournemouth’s need for cover at centre-back is clear after the departures of Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabarnyi. Huijsen returned to Real Madrid and Zabarnyi joined PSG, leaving fewer experienced options. New signing Bafode Diakite was started alongside Marcos Senesi in the opening match against Liverpool, with James Hill the only defensive cover on the bench. That lack of depth has prompted the club to act.

Journalist Sacha Tavolieri reported via X that Bournemouth have started “club-to-club talks” with Chelsea , while personal terms are also being discussed with Disasi. Competition for the defender may be strong, with L’Equipe naming Juventus, Newcastle and Villarreal among those interested.

The move represents a calculated risk for Bournemouth. Disasi’s record at Chelsea and an unsuccessful Villa loan leave questions, but his profile as a physical, experienced centre-back matches the immediate needs in Andoni Iraola’s squad. Bournemouth will hope that a loan spell at the Vitality Stadium could offer Disasi a platform to regain form and that the deal, even temporarily, will stabilise their backline.