Chelsea youngster makes grade but Liverpool dominate team of the month
With the January action completed following Liverpool's midweek win over West Ham as the leaders played catch up in terms of fixtures, the Reds are doing anything but by way of points. Jurgen Klopp's side stretched their lead to a monumental 19 points and unsurprisingly boast three players in our January team of the month, with five clubs represented in total.
Alisson (Liverpool) - 7.30
Five appearances, just one goal conceded and an assist for good measure, the Brazilian may not be kept busy by his brilliant defence but has been on top form over the past month nonetheless.
Reece James (Chelsea) - 7.82
Having began the season sidelined, James has established himself as first choice right-back at Chelsea of late and been a bright spark in a relatively glum period. In three league appearances in January the youngster registered an assist from one of six key passes and won 11 tackles.
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) - 7.61
As ever, a key figure in a near faultless month from Liverpool from a defensive standpoint - conceding just once - Van Dijk notched his fourth league goal of the season in victory over rivals Manchester United. Meanwhile, the Dutchman completed 92.6 per cent of a whopping 498 passes in five appearances.
Mason Holgate (Everton) - 7.33
Completing a Merseyside centre-back pairing, while Ancelotti has shuffled his pack at the back since arriving at Goodison, Holgate has been a mainstay for good reason. The 23-year-old has been assured in possession, registering an assist at West Ham, while producing 16 tackles and interceptions combined across four appearances.
Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea) - 7.84
Having been switched to left-back to accomodate for the aforementioned Reece James, Azpilicueta has looked at home and even found an attacking threat over the past month. The Spaniard scored twice and registered an assist in January alone, as well as producing 12 interceptions in four appearances.
Emiliano Buendia (Norwich) - 8.15
He may have failed to open his Premier League account but Buendia has been a bright spark for Norwich over the past two months in particular, carrying his fine form from December into the New Year. He registered his seventh assist of the season against Palace and in three appearances created 11 chances and completed 17 dribbles and 16 tackles.
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) - 7.75
Adding three assists to his league tally over January, taking his total to 15, De Bruyne makes the team of the month yet again. The Belgian created 14 chances in total over four appearances, firing off nine shots.
Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) - 7.59
It was an excellent month for Reds skipper Henderson, who played every minute of the club's five Premier League matches, regisetering a goal and assist in a narrow win over Wolves. The midfielder played with more freedom than usual, cerating ten chances whilst still performing his defensive duties with 16 tackles.
Adama Traore (Wolves) - 8.23
There's simply no stopping Adama Traore right now, with the Spaniard putting the frighteners on even the strongest defences in the league. He registered three assists in January, proving there is an improving end product to his renowned physical prowess, while still completing a remarkable 35 dribbles in four games.
Sergio Aguero (Manchester City) - 8.32
Bridging the gap to Jamie Vardy at the top of the scoring charts over the past month, Sergio Aguero scored twice as many Premier League goals as any other player, with six from just 203 minutes of action. In that time the Argentine fired off 14 shots in total, registering an assist from one of four key passes.
Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City) - 7.76
Partnering up with his Manchester City teammate, Jesus showed that he is more than capable of complimenting Aguero in the same lineup in the 6-1 demolition job of Aston Villa. Jesus scored three goals in four league appearances in January from 16 shots, whilst registering a further two assists.
