Antonio Conte made a habit of being nominated for Premier League monthly awards, right alongside regular nominations for Chelsea players for Player of the Month and Goal of the Month, and it looks like we’re picking up right where we left off under Sarri as well.
With Chelsea one of four teams to get a perfect start to the season by winning all three August matches, Sarri has earned his nomination as one of the four head coaches shortlisted for August Manager of the Month. He joins Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool), Mauricio Pochettino (Spurs), and Javi Gracia (Watford), with not a loss among them in 12 total tries. Quite the group, though one would expect Gracia to win it, given that Watford are not part of the “big six” just yet.
☐ Javi Gracia
☐ Jurgen Klopp
☐ Mauricio Pochettino
☐ Maurizio Sarri? Vote for your @BarclaysFooty Manager of the Month: https://t.co/2wVeqyPzrI #PLAwards pic.twitter.com/RLbswpL7hF
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 31, 2018
One of the early stars of Sarri-ball has been left back Marcos Alonso, who’s played a direct or indirect role in 5 of the 8 goals Chelsea have scored so far this season. Alonso scored one, assisted another, won two penalty kicks, and had a shot deflected in for an own goal just last weekend. For his efforts, Marcos has been rewarded by getting nominated for the Player of the Month award for August.
He will be up against Neil Etheridge (Cardiff), Sadio Mane (Liverpool), Ben Mendy (Manchester City), Lucas Moura (Spurs), Roberto Pereyra (Watford), and Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool). Strong group.
Alas, no Chelsea player was nominated for Goal of the Month, which tends to reward individual brilliance rather than team play.
Oh well. Champions League-winner Ryan Bertrand did get a nomination, though perhaps Callum Wilson’s Messi-esque run should be the winner.
Seven stars that took August by storm
Check out the @EASPORTSFIFA #POTM nominees ➡️ https://t.co/ioukOaZ1oN #PLAwards pic.twitter.com/C1OHzewjba
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 31, 2018