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2021 has been yet another testing year for the human race. Trials and trepidation were in abundance and a steady stream of footballing action definitely helped us keep our spirits up. 2021 was in fact rich in action as games across club and international levels came thick and fast.
December is usually a very packed month for footballers. While most leagues close up shop for the last week, the Premier League tucks in an extra game or two during that time. While it might be a little harsh on players as they don't get to spend Christmas with their families, it is still great news for fans.
There was plenty of exhilarating footballing action in the month of December. Without further ado, let's take a look at five of the best players from the month of December.
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#5 Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
Jack Grealish was one of the most exciting players to watch in the Premier League last season. It was predictable that one of the big clubs was going to swoop in for him in the summer of 2021. Manchester City knocked on Aston Villa's door and paid them a Premier League record €117 million for his services.
Naturally, Sterling fell down the pecking order. But Grealish couldn't exactly take the opportunity by the scruff of its neck. This allowed Sterling to regain his place in the starting XI. But don't get us wrong though. Sterling had to earn it back.
He had a great December. In six games across all competitions, Sterling scored five goals and provided an assist. The Englishman's best performance came against Leicester City in a 6-3 win. He was nearly unplayable as he ran past defenders with ease and created chance after chance, scoring two goals.
Also read about Raheem Sterling’s wife and teen-love, Paige Milian, and see when they will be tying the knot.
#4 Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
Robert Lewandowski is a mainstay on these lists. The Bayern Munich striker has been in sublime form in the 2021-22 season. He looks to be on a mission to win that ever elusive Ballon d'Or and seems to be in the right kind of form to accomplish big things.
The Polish international kicked off December with a matchwinning performance against Borussia Dortmund in a thrilling Der Klassiker. Lewandowski bagged a brace as the Bavarians won the game 3-2. He scored two goals in Bayern's dominant 5-0 win over Stuttgart.
He also scored a goal against Wolfsburg and was one of the best players on the pitch as Bayern knocked Barcelona out of the Champions League.
#3 Gerard Moreno (Villarreal)
Spanish striker Gerard Moreno wasn't in great form in the early stages of the 2021-22 season. That was quite disappointing because Moreno had just had the best campaign of his career in 2020-21.
But the Villarreal marksman kicked into top gear in December. In fact, he looked absolutely unstoppable in his last three matches in La Liga. Moreno delivered an industrious performance against Atalanta and grabbed a crucial assist as the Yellow Submarine won the game 3-2.
He scored a very important goal and turned in a man-of-the-match showing against Rayo Vallecano. But his best performances were yet to come. He just couldn't be handled or kept at bay as Villarreal took on Real Sociedad.
Moreno played a hand in all three of Villarreal's goals in a 3-1 win. He bagged a brace and provided the assist for another. Moreno added two more to his goal tally in Villarreal's final game in December against Deportivo Alaves, which ended in a 5-2 win for Unai Emery's men.
#2 Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter Milan)
After half of the 2021-22 season, it looks like Inter Milan are well on course to retain their Serie A title. They sit four points clear at the top of the table. The Nerazzurri were authoritative and thoroughly dominant in the month of December.
Save for a 2-0 loss against Real Madrid in the Champions League, which was inconsequential, Inter Milan did not concede a single goal in their five league games in December.
Hakan Calhanoglu was their creator-in-chief and the Turkish international showed us why he is one of the most elite attacking midfielders on the planet. The 27-year-old turned in a scintillating performance as Inter Milan beat Roma 3-0. He scored a goal and provided an assist in that game.
Calhanoglu scored two goals and provided four assists in total in six appearances in the month of December.
#1 Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City)
When Riyad Mahrez is playing at the top of his game, he is simply one of the most exciting players to watch. The Algerian international is very easy on the eye and it's a treat to watch him glide past defenders and make things happen for City in the final third.
Mahrez has been unstoppable in the month of December. He started last month with a rather underwhelming outing in a 3-1 win against Watford. But since then, Mahrez has been the Premier League leaders' best player.
He scored five goals and provided three assists in the remaining five games that City played in December. Mahrez terrorized Leeds United, Newcastle United and Leicester City as Manchester City established their dominance.
Check out Riyad Mahrez's net worth in 2021, his car collection, and the charity work he does.
