Six different clubs are represented in the shortlist.
Southampton's dead-ball specialist James Ward-Prowse, Joao Moutinho, Jack Harrison, Jarrod Bowen, David De Gea and Kevin De Bruyne have all been shortlisted.
Bowen scored three goals in the four games he played for West Ham United during the month while De Gea made the most saves (22) among all goalkeepers and also kept a clean sheet in four appearances.
De Bruyne scored the only goal of the game in Manchester City's crucial win against Chelsea and laid on assist for Aymeric Laporte in the champions' last game of the month against Southampton.
Harrison scored a first-ever career hattrick in Leeds' 3-2 win at West Ham United before ending the month on four goals with another strike against Burnley.
Portugal international Moutinho was at the heart of Wolves' impressive month as he scored a timely winner against Manchester United at Old Trafford. He also a goal and an assist against Brentford to wrap up the month.
Ward-Prowse scored one of his trademark freekicks against Wolves and provided an assist in his three games for Southampton.
Manchester City's Raheem Sterling won player of the month for December.
Elsewhere, Jurgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola, Dean Smith and Bruno Lage will compete for manager of the month.
