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The Premier League Player of the Month award is a coveted prize in the English top-flight which is awarded to the best player of the league in a calendar month. One of the most important features of this award is that the fans play a massive role in determining the winner - comprising about 10% weight in the final pick.
Other factors influencing the winner are votes of all the Premier League clubs' captains and an expert panel. The award was introduced in the 1994-95 season for August and Tottenham Hotspur player Jürgen Klinsmann was awarded the first-ever Player of the Month for his performances in August 1994.
So far in this season, Tottenham's Lucas Moura, Chelsea's Eden Hazard, Arsenal's Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, and Manchester City's Raheem Sterling have won this award.
Let us take a look at the nominees for The Player of the Month - December:
#7. Felipe Anderson (West Ham United)
West Ham's Felipe Anderson is enjoying great debut season in the English Premier League. The Brazilian has scored eight goals for his new club so far - four of which came in December.
West Ham had a good December in the Premier League, bagging 15 out of the maximum 21 points, and Felipe Anderson had a decisive role in it.
Anderson bagged four goals and an assist and also created thirteen chances for his team.
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#6. Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspurs)
Harry Kane loves to score goals and that is exactly what he did this December. The Englishman had netted the ball six times and also assisted twice. Even though Tottenham Hotspurs dropped six points with defeats against Arsenal and Wolves, Harry Kane on the personal front had an excellent month.
#5. Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool)
Van Dijk's arrival has been doing wonders for Liverpool. In the seven games Liverpool played in December, they conceded just three goals and bagged all the 21 points available. A huge chunk of the credit goes to the Dutch Centre Back, who has been a huge resistance to the opposing strikers.
Van Dijk also scored a goal for the Reds and provided for the late winner against Everton. As for his main role, Van Dijk made 26 clearances and helped Liverpool keep 4 clean sheets.
#4. Mohammed Salah (Liverpool)
After slight trouble in the starting weeks, the Egyptian wonder has found his rhythm back. Salah has been having a brilliant season and is currently the second top scorer in Premier League, just one goal behind the joint-leaders, Harry Kane and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang.
Salah scored six goals this month, including a hat-trick against AFC Bournemouth, and assisted four for his teammates. With involvement in 10 goals this month, Salah is December's top goal provider.
#3. Heung Min Son (Tottenham Hotspurs)
Heung Min Son is back to his scoring ways. Son has scored six goals in December, tying with Harry Kane and Mohammed Salah. He also provided for three goals. Similar to his teammate Harry Kane, Son played seven matches and played a vital role in Tottenham bagging 15 points from a maximum of 21 points.
#2. Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
Even though Manchester United could bag only 14 points in December, Marcus Rashford was impressive in all the positions he played. The English youngster has been very consistent throughout the month and his stats speak for himself.
The forward scored three goals in his seven matches played in December. He also assisted five goals for his teammates, thus, helping the Red Devils clinch four wins and two draws in the past month. The fact that he has been taking different roles this month is the icing on the cake.
#1. Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
Unlike others in this list, Eden Hazard has already bagged the Premier League player of the month award earlier this season. The prolific Belgian was the Premier League player of the month in September after scoring five goals in four matches in that month.
However, this time, it would be tougher for the Chelsea forward to win the award. Hazard has scored three goals in his seven appearances. He also provided for 5 more goals. Thus, he was involved in eight goals this month.
This stat is even more impressive since Chelsea has scored only 10 goals in December, ie, Hazard was involved in 80% of Chelsea's goals in December. Similar to West Ham United and Tottenham, Chelsea could only clinch 15 points out of the 21 on offer.
Hazard also completed the most number of dribbles this month with a tally of 22.
