Chelsea forward João Pedro has been named the Premier League Player of the Month for August 2026, while Hull City manager Sergej Jakirović has claimed the Manager of the Month award after guiding the Tigers to an impressive start to the campaign.
Pedro has quickly become one of the standout performers under Xabi Alonso, helping Chelsea produce an entertaining attacking display in the opening weeks of the season. The Brazilian contributed two goals and two assists as the Blues recorded consecutive wins over Fulham and Brighton & Hove Albion.
Reflecting on his performances, Pedro picked out his goal against Fulham as his favourite moment of the month.
“I think my favorite goal was the chip against Fulham, and my favorite assist … I think against Fulham, as well,” Pedro told club media. “That game was special because I’ve already scored many times by chipping the goalkeepers, and I gave back the pass to CP [Cole Palmer] and he scored.”
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The Chelsea forward came out on top of a shortlist that also featured teammate Cole Palmer, who previously won the award in September 2024.
Pedro has also developed an encouraging partnership with Palmer and new signing Morgan Rogers, with the trio offering Chelsea plenty of creativity in attack.
“We link up very good,” Pedro said of his relationship with Palmer and new signing Morgan Rogers. “We are similar but, in the same way, different. I think it is very good for Chelsea to have us in front.”
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While Chelsea have enjoyed a strong start, Hull City have arguably provided one of the biggest surprises of the opening weeks.
Jakirović has overseen an unbeaten start that has seen Hull collect seven points from their first three matches. The Tigers opened their campaign with a statement 2–0 victory over Manchester United before following it up with another win against newly promoted Coventry City and a draw with Aston Villa.
That impressive run has lifted Hull to third place in the Premier League table and earned Jakirović the managerial prize ahead of Mikel Arteta, Xabi Alonso, and Enzo Maresca.
The award also makes Jakirović the first Bosnian manager in Premier League history to claim the Manager of the Month honour.
Interestingly, his next challenge comes against the very player who has just been recognised as the league’s best for August. Hull City travel to Stamford Bridge on Saturday to face Pedro and Chelsea, with only one point separating the two sides heading into the weekend.
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