We are back with our NextGoalWinner player of the month awards! This season we are braced for a huge amount of action across Europe and so we will be celebrating the best performers across Europe’s top 5 leagues each and every month. With just a few games being played in most leagues, it could have been hard to sense which players have made the most impact, but with our selection the influence and impact has been clear in just 2 games thus far.

This months NextGoalWinner player of the month winner is a player who has stepped up at PSG when they could have spiralled post-Mbappe and the uncertainty that follows losing such a talismanic figure. Despite this, our selection has stepped up and in just his first appearances for the club, he has contributed instantly to help PSG to 2 dominant displays which has seen them bag 6 points from 6, score 10 and concede just 1 in the opening 2 fixtures.

Joao Neves has contributed to 4 PSG goals in a game and a half of action in August, and while their questions over how good the side will be without Mbappe, the acquisition of Neves is proving to be money well spent. With 4 assists in the 2 dominant displays, he has been influential in the early stages of the season and brought huge praise for his early displays since moving from Portugal, and earnt himself the first NextGoalWinner POTM award for the season.

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

Match By Match

August 16th: Le Havre 1-4 PSG – Starting off the season and with his competitive debut, Neves made the most of his second half appearance. Arriving just after the break, Le Havre equalised minutes later and actually had a goal ruled out which would have seen them take the lead. Neves stepped up however and in the space of 2 minutes late on int he 85th and 86th minute, he set up chances for Dembele and Barcola who converted successfully to put the game back in PSG’s favour and out of Le Havre’s reach. Kolo Muani added a 90th minute penalty to put any risk of backlash aside for the new-look PSG side without Mbappe, and Neves took the plaudits for making an instant impact after arriving in France this summer. With a man of the match appearance in just 45 minutes of action, Neves had his 2 assists, 91% pass accuracy, 1 big chance created, 100% cross accuracy, 100% long ball accuracy and 100% aerial duels won, Neves bagged an 8.5/10 FotMob rating to start the month, the season, and life at PSG in superb style.

August 23rd: PSG 6-0 Montpellier – After a brace of assists in the league opener and his competitive PSG debut, it was a repeat performance from Neves who contributed to PSG’s opening 2 goals in the first 24 minutes. Setting up Barcola in the first 4 minutes and then assisting the Asensio 2nd, Neves has already begun repaying the fee stumped up by the French champions as they begin life post-Mbappe. Playing just 68 minutes, the 20 year old had his 2 early assists, created the most chances (4), managed a 93% pass accuracy, created 1 big chance, 100% long ball accuracy and earnt a 8.8/10 FotMob rating which was only bettered by Hakimi and Barcola on the night. With 2 near perfect showings to start his life in France, the Portuguese midfielder is settling nicely in the young new look midfield for PSG with Zaire-Emery, Neves and Vitinha which will surely help PSG to more success despite the change in forward line.