The shortlist for the Premier League Player of the Month award for February has been revealed.
There are six candidates this month, selected based on their performances in the last few weeks. Fulham are the most represented team, having gone unbeaten throughout February.
Leicester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa also have one player each on the shortlist.
The winner is expected to be announced on Friday, March 10. Supporters can cast their votes here.
Kelechi Iheanacho – Leicester City
Having scooped the prize once before in March 2021, Kelechi Iheanacho is in the running for his second Player of the Month award. He earns a nomination after scoring two and assisting three in four outings.
He kicked off February with a stellar first-half performance away to Aston Villa. Before the break, the Nigerian had got himself on the scoresheet while also setting up teammates James Maddison and Tete. This helped the Foxes to their first league win in six outings.
The following weekend, he was once again at his best. This time, he assisted Maddison again, before notching one himself as Leicester defeated Tottenham 4-1 at the King Power Stadium.
Bernd Leno – Fulham
The first of Fulham’s two nominees is Germany international Bernd Leno. Only three sides picked up more points than the Cottagers in February, and their goalkeeper played a huge part.
The south-west Londoners came up against Chelsea, Nottingham Forest, Brighton & Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers. From these games, Leno conceded just once while making 11 saves.
Marcus Rashford – Manchester United
Arguably the world’s best player since the World Cup, it’s no surprise that Marcus Rashford has made his way onto this list. Should he win the award, he would hit all sorts of milestones.
For example, it would be his fourth POTM – a figure bettered only by Sergio Aguero, Harry Kane, Steven Gerrard, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, and Robin van Persie. Additionally, he would also become the ninth player to win the prize in consecutive months.
And it would also be his third of the 2022/23 season, having also won it in September and January. Mohamed Salah is the only player to have won three Player of the Month awards in a single campaign, achieving this feat during his record-breaking 2017/18 term.
Rashford was on target in all four league games in February, hitting five goals. His standout performance of the month was at home to Leicester, when he scored a brace in a 3-0 win. This moved him to joint third in the Golden Boot race, behind Erling Braut Haaland and Harry Kane.
Emerson Royal – Tottenham Hotspur
The arrival of Pedro Porro from Sporting CP seemed to signify the end of the road for Emerson Royal at Tottenham. However, the Brazilian has fought admirably for his place and has produced some fine displays.
Spurs picked up three wins and three clean sheets from a possible four, defeating Manchester City, West Ham United and Chelsea. Royal started all three of these games while being rested for the loss against Leicester.
His personal highlight came in the London derby at home to West Ham. With the scores level at 0-0 in the second half, the 24-year-old found the far corner from Ben Davies’ lay-off to put his side in front.
Manor Solomon – Fulham
Injury troubles have blighted Manor Solomon’s time at Fulham he is still yet to make his first start in the Premier League. However, with performances like this, the midfielder will surely be in the starting XI soon.
In just 86 minutes of game time across four substitute appearances, Solomon scored three goals. This included a late winner away to Brighton, as well as a stunning equaliser against Wolves.
Ollie Watkins – Aston Villa
It was a difficult month for Villa, picking up just three points. But they will take some comfort from the form of Ollie Watkins, who has doubled his goal tally in the last few weeks.
The Englishman was on the scoresheet in all four games in February. This includes fixtures against title challengers Arsenal and Man City.
His most important goal was the penalty he struck in the Villans’ victory over relegation strugglers Everton.
