The best players in each position in the Premier League this season
by Archie BladeThe best players in each position in the Premier League this season so far. The English top-flight is slated to make a return next month.
The Premier League is set to be back on our weekly television from June 17th onwards according to reports. If the restart goes according to plan, the Premier League will become the 2nd of Europe’s top 5 leagues to stage a return after the Bundesliga.
Also read: Premier League set to return with two fixtures reportedly revealed
With 92 games still to go, let us take this opportunity to refresh your memory and remind you of the best players who have featured in the English top-flight this season so far. With that out of the way, let us now look at the best players in each position in the Premier League this season.
Goal Keeper
There have been several goalkeepers who have made a mark this season. Aaron Ramsdale, Bernd Leno, Martin Dubravka are some of the glovesmen that have made a huge splash. However, the two names that have arguably stood out the most have been Liverpool’s Alison Becker and Sheffield United’s Dean Henderson.
However, the decision ultimately comes down to who has made more impact in their respective sides.
Alison gives his side an aura of invincibility. In fact, of the 20 times he has played, Liverpool have kept a clean sheet in 10 of those. In the 9 games that Adrian, his back up has started, they have only managed 2 clean sheets while conceding 10 goals, just one less than Alison has conceded despite playing half as many games as the Brazilian.
Henderson on the other hand, has played 27 games and has conceded 22 times. The Manchester United loanee concedes 0.81 goal per game. This is the 2nd lowest in the league. Only Alison fares lower in this department.
Alison also has a better save ratio. The Brazilian saves 80.4% shots on target while Henderson saves 75.8%. However, Alison plays for a side that won the Champions League last season. Henderson on the other hand, keeps for a team that was recently promoted from the Championship and is a major reason why the side are competing for a place in Europe next season.
Liverpool won all their Premier League games that Alison missed. It is unlikely that Sheffield United would have the same success without Henderson. It is for this reason he is the Premier League goalkeeper of the season so far.
Best Goalkeeper in the Premier League this season: Dean Henderson (Sheffield United)
Left-back
There have been many outstanding left-backs in the league this season, However, much like the goalkeepers before them, the decision comes down to two players. The likes of Diego Rico, Lucas Digne and Cesar Azpilicueta have set the league alight. However, it is Ben Chilwell and Andrew Robertson who have stole the show.
Robertson is one of Liverpool’s most creative players and offers a lot to the side offensively. Chilwell is also great going forward and has tremendously helped Harvey Barnes this season. Both of them are also exceptional defenders.
Either of them could be slotted as the best in the league. However, Robertson has proven to be the more consistent of the two over the course of 3/4th of the season so far and thus is the Premier League left-back of the season so far.
Best Left-back in the Premier League this season: Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)
Right-back
There are multiple contenders for this position as well. Manchester United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka has impressed with his defensive work rate. Djibril Sidibe is yet another. However, this place also comes down to yet another set of Liverpool and Leicester players; Ricardo Pereira and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Pereira, like Chilwell has been integral to Leicester City’s success this season. Alexander-Arnold, is also one of Liverpool’s most important players. His 12 assists in the league so far would suggest, he is, at the moment, the most exciting defender in the league. While true, his defensive contribution has come under the scanner off late.
This is where Pereira shines. The Portuguese outperforms Alexander-Arnold completely when it comes to defending. He has a better rate of tackling, interceptions and has a higher successful passing rate then the 21-year old.
Alexander-Arnold has rightly received plaudits for his key passes and assists, the 2nd highest in the league. However, it is Ricardo Pereira who, at least this season, has been the better defender on the right flank of the two in the Premier League so far.
Best Right-back in the Premier League this season: Ricardo Pereira (Leicester City)
Centre-back
Central defenders have thrived in the premier league this season. Many players have managed to thrust themselves in the limelight regardless of the size of the club they represent. Tyrone Mings and Nathan Ake have shone despite playing for relegation threatened Aston Villa and Bournemouth.
Chris Basham and Jon Egan have been brilliant for Sheffield United with the latter proving to be the heart of their defence. Leicester duo, Jonny Evans and Caglar Soyuncu, along with their fullbacks, have been the reason, why they are currently third in the Premier League.
Manchester United’s Harry Maguire has also had a good debut season with the Red Devils. However, it is Virgil Van Dijk, who still remains the best defender in the Premier League. The Liverpool defensive machine leads the league in most successful passes as well as most aerial duels won by any defender.
He is virtually unstoppable at the moment and is a major reason why Liverpool are on the cusp of winning their maiden Premier league title.
Best Centre-back in the Premier League this season: Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool)
Defensive Midfielder
Manchester United’s Scott McTominay established himself in the side through his performances in this role early on in the season. An injury soon followed and it was Fred who seized his opportunity to become one of the most improved players this season.
Manchester City’s failings at the back saw Fernandinho transition into a makeshift defender. This resulted in Rodri being played in his usual position and the Spanish midfielder has done very well on his debut season.
Liverpool’s Fabinho could also have been a part of the conversation if not for his injury and subsequent form.
Chelsea’s Jorginho has also been brilliant this season. He has arguably been their most consistent player this season. The Italian has the 2nd most tackles and the highest number of interceptions per game in his side.
He also has 2 assists, 4 goals and a pass success percentage of 88. In all, he has made contributions towards both sides on the field. However, it is Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi who has been the best defensive midfielder in the premier league this season.
Ndidi has made the most tackles (92) and interceptions (61) of any Premier League midfielder this season. Such has been his impact in the side that in the 5 matches he missed through a troublesome knee injury, the foxes only managed to pick up 2 points from the 15 available points. They also conceded 7 goals during the same period.
Best Defensive midfielder in the Premier League this season: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City)
Central Midfielder
There have been a few midfielders in the premier league such as John McGinn, Joao Moutinho and Georginio Wijnaldum. However, none of them have captured the imaginations of pundits and fans alike like Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson.
He has overcome the criticism early on in his career to become one of the most influential players in arguably the best side in the world right now. In fact, he is yet to lose a single match for Liverpool in his last 39 league appearances.
While the world likes to focus on the likes of Van Dijk, Salah or Mane, it is his absence that has seen Liverpool’s campaign derail in the days and weeks before the league was suspended following the coronavirus outbreak.
Best Central midfielder in the Premier League this season: Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)
Attacking Midfielder
Bruno Fernandes’ arrival at Manchester United in the January transfer window and their subsequent change in fortune is evidence of how important the role is. There have been many who have put their hands up in this position and shone this season.
Chelsea’s Mason Mount and Christian Pulisic have a great start to the campaign. However, Mount has fallen to the wayside while Pulisic got injured. Jack Grealish and James Maddison have performed exceptionally well for their clubs in this important position as well.
However, there is no competition as far as the best attacking midfielder in the premier league is concerned.
Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne has not just been the best attacking midfielder, but has arguably been the best player in the premier league so far. The Belgian has notched up 7 goals and 14 assists so far. He has also created more chances in the Premier League this season than any other player (96).
Best Attacking midfielder in the Premier League this season: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
Right Winger
Gone are the days when the winger’s job was just to send the ball in the box. Now the wide players regularly match and some times even outperform the centre forwards in front of the goal.
Adama Traore has been a sensation for Wolverhampton this season while Emiliano Buendia has been remarkable for a slowly sinking Norwich City. Riyad Mahrez has also come on his own after an average first season at Manchester City.
However, the best player in this position has undoubtedly been Mohammed Salah, who has continued his prolific form since moving to Liverpool. The Egyptian has already scored 16 goals this season while also making 6 assists.
He is definitely on course for yet another 20+ goal season and has already established amongst the best to have ever plied their trade in the Premier League.
Best Right Winger in the Premier League this season: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Left Winger
Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling started the campaign brilliantly. However, his performance has since dropped. However, 11 goals in 24 games is by no means poor. Having said that, there have been several other players who have been more impactful than Sterling this season.
Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford and Tottenham’s Son Heung-Min are a couple of names to come to mind. Rashford has scored 14 goals and 4 assists in 22 appearances. Before he succumbed to injury, he was United’s most important player. Son was also phenomenal for Spurs, recording 9 goals and 7 assists.
However, it is Mohamed Salah’s partner in crime, Sadio Mane, who has been the most effective left winger in the premier league this season. The Senegalese has scored 14 goals and 7 assists in the Premier League season so far.
It is testimony to the fact that Jurgen Klopp commanders the best side in the Premier League when every position either features a Liverpool player as one of if not the outright best in every position.
Best Left Winger in the Premier League this season: Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
Striker
There have been many this season who have put their best foot forward quite literally. Everton’s Richarlison has proved to be a sensation while the likes of Roberto Firmino and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have once again showed why they are extremely important to their respective sides.
Wolverhampton’s Raul Jimenez has also been very prolific this season and has been instrumental in their rise. Former Liverpool player Danny Ings has also gone on to become one of the deadliest forwards in the Premier League.
Under Frank Lampard, Tammy Abraham has developed into a very good forward. However, in the end the person who has shone the most in front of the goal is Jamie Vardy. The striker who was instrumental in Leicester winning their maiden Premier League title, is once again leading their charge into a return to Champions league football.
The former England international, has scored 19 goals in 26 matches in the Premier League so far. He has also notched up 4 assists. He will be crucial to Brendan Rogers’ side if they are to ward off Chelsea, Manchester United and the other premier league sides looking to book a place in Europe’s elite competition next season.
Best Striker in the Premier League this season: Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)
Click here for more football news