SK's top 25 footballers for the month of August

19. Antonio Valencia

Another individual to have established himself under the watchful eye of Jose Mourinho, Antonio Valencia was nominated along with Curtis Davies, Eden Hazard and Raheem Sterling for August’s ‘Player of the Month’ award.

The flying full-back has morphed into one of the most dangerous properties in the division over the past few weeks courtesy of his fantastic crossing abilities, athleticism and tactical know-how. His service of clinical frontman Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been particularly noticeable, while he also played a vital role in denying Hull City at the end of the month.

With a 90.5% completion rate this term, the Ecuadorian is the first-choice right-back in the league’s tightest defence which has already kept two clean sheets.

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18. Eric Bailly

Now for the other half of the aforementioned Bailly-Blind partnership at the heart of the (yes, I’m going to say it again) meanest defence in the league this campaign. It has been strikingly apparent that the 22-year-old is not fazed by the step-up in intensity and speed which the Premier League poses.

In the 270 minutes of football we’ve seen from the Ivorian so far, he has impressed with his complacency on the ball (95.5% pass completion rate) and desire to track back so quickly. Having secured two ‘Man of the Match’ awards in just three games, Bailly is quickly developing into a fan favourite and one of United’s sturdiest defenders in recent years.

The former-Villareal centre-back is not afraid to commit to challenges and, not dissimilar to Arsenal’s Laurent Koscielny, enjoys pressing sides which sit deep, only to retreat at speed when required.