The Premier League has unveiled its shortlists for the January 2026 Player and Manager of the Month awards, with fresh winners this time around.
Last month’s recipients, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Unai Emery, are both absent from the latest nominations, ensuring a change of guard as the new year gathers momentum.
Player of the Month contenders
The January Player of the Month race is packed with standout individual performances from across the league:
- Yasin Ayari (Brighton & Hove Albion)
- Patrick Dorgu (Manchester United)
- Enzo Fernández (Chelsea)
- Junior Kroupi (Bournemouth)
- Crysencio Summerville (West Ham United)
- Igor Thiago (Brentford)
- Harry Wilson (Fulham)
- Florian Wirtz (Liverpool)
A packed month full of standout performances.
Who is your January @PremierLeague Player of the Month?
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Brighton midfielder Yasin Ayari kicks off the list after a quietly impressive month. The 22-year-old has already surpassed last season’s goal and assist numbers, registering two goals and two assists in four January appearances.
At Manchester United, Patrick Dorgu caught the eye during a flawless month under interim boss Michael Carrick. Deployed high up the pitch, the winger found the net against Arsenal and Manchester City, while also providing an assist during Darren Fletcher’s brief spell in charge.
Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández delivered when it mattered most, scoring late winners against Manchester City and West Ham. His January return of three goals and one assist under Liam Rosenior highlighted his growing leadership role in midfield.
West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville rediscovered his scoring touch after a long drought. Having gone without a league goal since October 2024, the Dutchman struck in three consecutive matches against Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Sunderland.
Brentford striker Igor Thiago is chasing history, hoping to become the first player to win the award twice this season. He enjoyed a prolific month, scoring five goals, including a hat-trick against Everton and a brace against Sunderland.
Harry Wilson earns back-to-back nominations after another productive spell for Fulham. With goals against Chelsea, Brighton and Liverpool, the Welshman continues to push Marco Silva’s side toward European contention as his contract situation draws attention.
Completing the list is Florian Wirtz, who receives his first nomination since joining Liverpool. The German midfielder contributed three goals and one assist, standing out during a difficult month in which the Reds managed just one win from six league games.
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Manager of the Month contenders
The managerial shortlist reflects dramatic turnarounds and impressive short-term impacts:
- Michael Carrick (Manchester United)
- Sean Dyche (Nottingham Forest)
- Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth)
- Liam Rosenior (Chelsea)
United interim boss Michael Carrick makes an immediate impression, guiding the Red Devils to back-to-back wins over Manchester City and Arsenal in his brief January spell.
At Nottingham Forest, Sean Dyche steadied the ship after a worrying run of four straight defeats. His side responded with two wins and a draw, suffering just one loss against Aston Villa.
Andoni Iraola also turned Bournemouth’s fortunes around. After enduring an 11-match winless run, the Cherries sparked into life with a dramatic 3–2 victory over Tottenham, followed by further wins against Liverpool and Wolves.
Chelsea’s Liam Rosenior rounds off the list after a dream start to his Premier League tenure. Victories over Brentford, Crystal Palace, and West Ham made him only the fourth English manager to win his first three league games.
With new names dominating both shortlists, January’s awards promise fresh winners and plenty of debate among fans before the final verdict is announced.
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