Etihad Player of the Month: October nominees

It’s been a hugely impressive period for Pep Guardiola’s men, with three victories over Fulham, Wolves and Southampton in the Premier League firing us to the top of the table and two comprehensive wins in the UEFA Champions League putting us in a strong position to qualify for the knockout stages of that competition.

There was a 4-0 win at Slovan Bratislava and a 5-0 triumph over Sparta Prague putting us third in the League Phase, behind only Aston Villa and Liverpool, with the top eight making it through to the next stage.

The only blip in October was a Carabao Cup exit to Tottenham but even then, against the backdrop of a injury-affected squad, several star youngsters came to the fore in Nico O’Reilly, Jacob Wright, James McAtee and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey.

Once again there were no shortage of impressive individual displays which made narrowing the selection down to three a tough task but it’s Josko Gvardiol, John Stones and Matheus Nunes who have made October’s shortlist.

JOSKO GVARDIOL

Josko is getting better and better each time he puts on the sky blue shirt.

As well as this nomination, our Croatian defender is also up for Premier League Player of the Month for October too and no surprise given his performances of late.

He was part of the team that won 4-0 in Bratislava in the Champions League and 3-2 at home to Fulham in the Premier League.

The 22-year-old then followed that up with a stunning strike – our first – in the 2-1 victory at Wolves and earned the player of the match award for his display at Molineux.

He was a late sub in the 5-0 UCL victory over Sparta Prague before being part of a strong defensive display against sprightly Southampton in the 1-0 victory over the Saints.

Gvardiol was a second half substitute in the cup exit to Tottenham but that shouldn’t negate the displays he produced in an impressive month for City.

JOHN STONES

The standout moment for John Stones in October undoubtedly came at Molineux in a last-gasp victory which had sky blue staff, players and fans jumping for joy.

It was 1-1 at Wolves deep into injury time, with the game looking all set for a draw.

But up popped our England international with a late headed goal that earned all three points.

His celebration was iconic as he rushed over to celebrate with the fans who’d made the journey to the Black Country.

That delight looked short-lived with the effort chalked off.

Thankfully, after VAR intervention, it was given, prompting even wilder scenes from the players on the pitch.

The classy centre-half was also on the scoresheet at the Etihad in October, with another header, in our 5-0 victory in the UCL against Sparta Prague.

MATHEUS NUNES

It’s fair to say that Matheus Nunes has been in and out of the City team since his arrival in the summer of 2023.

But over the last month, he’s found his chances more fruitful – and he’s definitely taken advantage of that.

Nunes played the full 90 minutes of our away UCL victory in Bratislava before a short cameo in the victory over Fulham in the Premier League.

He certainly enjoyed the late show at Molineux against his former club before scoring from the penalty spot in the 5-0 triumph over Sparta Prague at the Etihad.

The 26-year-old set up Erling Haaland for the winner in the 1-0 success over Southampton and scored his second in three games with a consolation in the 2-1 Carabao Cup loss to Tottenham.

Nunes is certainly coming into his own for the Blues.

Three superb candidates but who will emerge victorious?

The poll is open now and you can cast your vote below.  

We will announce the winner on Thursday 7 November.