Premier League 2017/18: Top 5 players of the month (August)

We head into the international break after three gruelling weeks of Premier League action which has provided plenty to talk about. Some of the players are still finding their feet in the new season while some others have settled into their new team with ease.

There are quite a few contenders for the monthly Premier League Player of the Month Award this time around. But only the best performer in the month will end up with the prize.

The top 5 players are as follows.

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#5 Alvaro Morata

One of the positives for the reigning champions has been the successful adaptation of Alvaro Morata to life in England. Having joined Chelsea for a club record fee of £70 million from Real Madrid, the 24-year-old Spanish striker has quickly silenced his critics.

Morata has scored two, assisted two and created five chances for his teammates in two starts and one substitute appearance.

He was instrumental for Chelsea in their 2-0 win over Everton. He is also forming a good understanding with his compatriot Cesc Fabregas.

It is quite amazing to see how quickly Morata has taken to life at Stamford Bridge keeping in mind the struggles of plenty of players who had moved from Spain to England.

Based on the above facts, Morata is a good contender for the prize.

#4 Paul Pogba

The most expensive footballer on earth - until this summer, Pogba has adapted to life back in England well. The 24-year-old Frenchman was often criticised last season for his lack of goals and assists.

However, the Frenchman appears to be a rejuvenated man this season, particularly after the addition of the rock-solid Nemanja Matic to Manchester United. Pogba has been given the license to push forward more often.

He has been the heartbeat of United in the opening three games. Pogba has been dominant in the middle of the park and has controlled the tempo of the matches extremely well for his team. He has scored two goals and assisted another for the Red Devils so far.

Pogba's two man of the match awards, against West Ham and Leicester, make him one of the favourites to win the monthly award.

#3 Marcos Alonso

Alonso's goals against Tottenham ensured the reigning champions were back on track in the new season

The 26-year-old Spanish wingback has been Chelsea's best player so far. His man of the match display against Tottenham at Wembley, which included two goals, ensured Chelsea bounced back from their opening day defeat against Burnley. Alonso has been a revelation since joining Chelsea last summer and has further enhanced his reputation by his performances so far.

Going at this rate, an international call-up may not be far away.

Against Everton, Marcos Alonso won six tackles and had a 91% passing accuracy in Chelsea's 2-0 win at home. He has won 23 duels, made two vital interceptions and also created four chances for his teammates. Having scored two goals, Alonso also boasts a shot accuracy of 80% to his name.

All these statistics make him a standout player in the month of August and is amongst the most popular defenders in the Fantasy Premier League as well (Alonso has been selected by 19.5% of the users).

#2 Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been in sparkling form so far

At the start of this season, the Armenian skipper was widely tipped to build on an impressive finish to his debut season last time around and play an important role for Jose Mourinho. Those predictions are already coming true as Mkhitaryan is enjoying his new role as a number 10 for the Red Devils.

He has been the creative force behind Manchester United's resurgence this season as he has carved out 14 chances including 5 assists which are 50% of the goals scored by the team. One particular moment where we witnessed Mkhitaryan's magic was his pass to Paul Pogba against Swansea City. He dribbled from near the halfway line and executed a deft pass into the box for Pogba to chip it into the net coolly.

In fact, Mkhitaryan has matched a 23-year-old Premier League record by assisting five times in the opening three games (Ruel Fox had achieved a similar feat for Newcastle United in the 1994/95 season). Also boasting a passing accuracy of nearly 90%, Mkhitaryan is surely the favourite to win the Premier League Player of the Month Award for August.

#1 Sadio Mane

Sadio Mane has enjoyed a free scoring start to his second season at Anfield

Mane joined Liverpool for a fee of £34 million last summer, becoming the most expensive African footballer at the time. To his credit, Mane won the Liverpool's Player of the Season award and was included in the PFA Team of the Year despite missing out on the latter half of last season. He ended the season with 13 goals and five assists in only 27 appearances.

He has begun this season from exactly where left off last time around. The most in-form player at the moment in England, the Senegalese forward is feared by the defenders in the Premier League. Mane has scored in each of his three outings for Liverpool so far this season. He rounded off the month in some style with his brilliant goal against Arsenal at Anfield.

Judging by the standards of his performances, Sadio Mane is definitely amongst the favourites to win the Premier League Player of the Month Award for August.