The Premier League has returned!

And so with it, comes the NextGoalWinner POTM awards. In just 5 rounds of matches, we have seem some incredible drama, some hits and some misses. With plenty of goals, drama and highlights, we are in for one hell of a season coming up.

One of the standout stars, is one of the summers biggest movers and has already adjusted to the Premier League in style. Bagging 9 goals and 1 assist in just 5 games, including back-to-back hattricks, is the Norwegian goal machine Erling Haaland. Filling in the only slight hole in the incredible Manchester City side, Haaland may just prove to be the missing piece of the jigsaw that cements European glory for Guardiola’s side and see’s in a new legacy for the blue side of Manchester.

If this rate of scoring continues, he will be on track for 68.4 goals in this league season, which of course would break all kinds of scoring records. Quite frankly, as shocking as his start has been at City, it’s not even out of the question that he could hit this incredible milestone and certainly repay the £50+million.

In what has been surely one of the easiest selections for the POTM award, Haaland has literally run away with it and I have no doubt will be placing this award next to his many other accolades that will surely come his way.

If you have anything to add to our NextGoalWinner POTM decision, or disagree with our pick, head over to Twitter (@NextGoalWinBlog) and let us know what you think.

Match By Match

August 7th: West Ham United 0-2 Manchester City – Following a fairly mediocre debut in the Community Shield, Haaland announced his arrival as he decimated the West Ham defence. As a fairly unknown to the Premier League defenders, Haaland was dominant as he bagged a brace to secure City started the season in cruise control. Despite only making 32 touches in the game, he bagged a first half penalty and a second half finish to secure the points and a superb league debut. Although his stats may perhaps be lacking in other areas, I can’t imagine City fans will be too concerned with dribble success % if he carries on this run of form. With a 9.1/10 rating, it’s a great start and he was only just beginning.

August 13th: Manchester City 4-0 Bournemouth – In one of the biggest shocks of the month, City won comfortably by 4 goals, and yet Haaland wasn’t on the scoresheet. Although setting up the first for Gundogan, he failed to nab one for himself as he settled for just a 7.2/10 rating, and had just a shocking 8 touches of the ball in his 74 minutes.

August 21st: Newcastle United 3-3 Manchester City – Although resulting in the end of City’s winning start, this game was an absolute cracker for the neutral, and Haaland was back involved in the goals as he helped kickstart the City comeback from 3-1 down to claim a point from an impressive Newcastle side. With an 8.1/10 FotMob rating, he again made the fewest touches of any player who played 90 minutes and yet was clinical in taking his chance.

August 27th: Manchester City 4-2 Crystal Palace – After a cameo appearance in a completely unnecessary friendly with Barcelona, Haaland ended the month with 6 goals in just 2 games, as he bagged his first City hattrick in another comeback victory for his side. Although falling 2-0 down early against Palace, Haaland was crucial in getting the points as he bagged a 19 minute treble to turn defeat into another 3 points. This one has some stunning statistics, as Haaland played 84 minutes, bagged 3 goals and only had 16 touches of the ball. Playing a clear role in the City side as their finisher, and almost poacher, he is incredibly efficient in this side and had his top rated 9.6/10 performance.

August 31st: Manchester City 6-0 Nottingham Forest – After enjoying his first hattrick in England, he made it 2 in 2, as Forest were utterly destroyed by the reigning champions. This time needing 26 minutes to get his hattrick, he again pulled off a clinical performance any striker would be dreaming of, bagging all 3 with just 16 touches yet again. Bringing his season average to 1.8 goals per game, and a goal every 11.6 touches, he has had a month which will rival some striker’s whole season (if not career in some cases). With a 8.72 average rating over the month, it’s been completely unmatched and simply outstanding to witness.