SK's top 25 footballers for the month of August

21. Daley Blind

Under Jose Mourinho, Manchester United have seen nothing but success so far. The Red Devils sit third in the league at present with nine points out of a possible nine and, having conceded on just one occasion, boast the best defensive record in the division.

Dutchman Daley Blind has put in a shift in all three of those games, having played 270 minutes so far alongside United new-boy Eric Bailly. Although he’s not averse to venturing forward against opponents that sit back, Blind’s primary role has been to hold back when Bailly advances and, in United’s 1-0 win against Hull, this approach enabled him to get the better of Hernandez and Diomande courtesy of his excellent anticipation.

The 26-year-old is great at playing out from the back, an aspect Mourinho loves to see in his centre-halves, and a pass completion rate of 90.3% so far this term only supports this claim.

---

20. Phillipe Coutinho

Liverpool are a difficult team to make out at the moment. Defensively there are undoubtedly issues. On the front-foot however, there are few teams across the continent that attack with greater pace and intensity than the Reds.

Coutinho carried his sizzling form at the start of the campaign into the international break with some fine performances against both Ecuador and Colombia. On the opening day of the season at the Emirates, the Brazilian midfielder bagged a brace and his average of 5 shots per game this term emphasises his unprecedented confidence on the ball.

A pass completion of 84.2% so far this season coupled with his average of 2 key passes per game reiterates that he is the focal threat for Klopp’s side season and, if they are to top the pile, the 24-year-old will have to emulate this month’s heroics.