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Arsenal: Mikel Merino
Arsenal’s decision not to sign a striker in January could have come back to haunt them. Gabriel Jesus has been absent since the turn of the year and Kai Havertz suffered a torn hamstring in February, leaving them short in the final third. Mikel Merino filled the void admirably. Indeed, only Havertz (nine) has more league goals for the club this season than Merino (six), who scored in important wins over Leicester, Chelsea and Fulham. Fans will want the club to invest in the summer but Merino has done remarkably well, given he had not played up front since he was nine years old.
Aston Villa: Youri Tielemans
Youri Tielemans has started all but two of Aston Villa’s 50 matches this season and has been one of the best central midfielders in the Premier League. When Villa signed Amadou Onana for £50m last summer, Tielemans may have wondered about his place but he’s established himself as one of the first names on the teamsheet, which isn’t bad for a player who started just 17 league games in his first campaign at Villa Park. After scoring against PSG in midweek, he has now contributed to goals in his last four matches.
Brentford: Keane Lewis-Potter
Signed as a forward in 2022, Keane Lewis-Potter has tinkered his game to establish himself as Brentford’s first-choice left-back. Having struggled to consolidate a starting spot in previous years, the 24-year-old has started 30 of 32 league games this season and has maximised the chance to get forward where possible, ranking third for successful dribbles (35) for the west London side.
Brighton: Jack Hinshelwood
No matter where he plays, Jack Hinshelwood will so often put in a solid showing. A midfielder by trade, the 20-year-old has been used in both full-back roles under Fabian Hürzeler where required given Brighton’s injury problems, and the Seagulls are a tougher proposition with him featuring. Brighton’s Premier League win ratio rises from 28.6% to 44.4% when Hinshelwood starts.
Bournemouth: Justin Kluivert
After a so-so debut campaign with Bournemouth, Justin Kluivert has really shouldered the attacking burden for the team this season. The Dutchman is both their top scorer (12) and top for assists (six), having only managed seven and one, respectively, last season. The departure of Dominic Solanke seems to have benefited Kluivert, who has relished the chance to be Bournemouth’s star forward. He even scored a hat-trick in a 4-1 win against his dad’s former club in January. “I followed Newcastle when I was younger,” he said. “Unfortunately for them, Kluivert now plays for another team.”
Chelsea: Marc Cucurella
Having initially struggled at Stamford Bridge, Marc Cucurella has come into his own this season, nailing down the left-back spot. Winning Euro 2024 with Spain last summer really did wonders for his confidence. Enzo Maresca has granted the former Brighton full-back the chance to get forward this season and he has capitalised on it. Cucurella has four league goals this season – only four Chelsea players have scored more.
Crystal Palace: Chris Richards
Chelsea’s decision to recall Trevoh Chalobah in January could have derailed Crystal Palace’s season but Chris Richards has stepped in to fill the void with ease. Palace have had one of the best defensive records in the league – until two uncharacteristically heavy defeats this week– with Richards forging a solid relationship with Marc Guéhi and Maxence Lacroix in Oliver Glasner’s three-man defence. Considering the club brought in three new centre-backs last summer, the American’s perseverance has paid off.
Everton: Beto
Beto made just nine league starts in his debut campaign at Everton, but the former Udinese striker is now the first choice up front. Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s injury issues have given the 27-year-old an opportunity to prove himself. He has only scored six league goals this season but, given that he made just one start before February, few would have expected him to have such a sustained impact in recent months. Everton’s revival under David Moyes has coincided with his appearances in the team.
Fulham: Sasa Lukic
Fulham signed the physically imposing Sander Berge from Burnley to ease the blow of losing João Palhinha to Bayern Munich, but Sasa Lukic has been the player who has really caught the eye in their midfield. The Serb may be a walking yellow card – he’s been booked more times (12) than any other player in the league this season – but he is a tenacious tackler who is equally tidy in possession. Fulham have climbed up the table this season after losing their best player and some of the credit for their success has to go to Lukic.
Ipswich: Liam Delap
Many scoffed at Ipswich’s decision to pay Manchester City £20m for Liam Delap in the summer. After all, he’d scored just eight Championship goals on loan at Hull last season. Yet, in what has been a disappointing return to the Premier League for the club, the 22-year-old has been a shining light at Portman Road. Delap has scored 12 league goals and his performances have attracted interest from Chelsea and Manchester United. The 22-year-old has a £30m release clause so don’t expect to see him in the Championship next season.
Leicester: Bilal El Khannouss
Few players, if any, have covered themselves in glory for Leicester this season, but Bilal El Khannouss has at least proven his Premier League pedigree. The 20-year-old has just two goals and two assists to his name, however his goal contributions have earned five of the Foxes’ dismal tally of 18 points. While Leicester appear doomed to an immediate return to England’s second tier, the youngster should be playing in one of Europe’s top leagues next season such has been his seamless transition to Premier League football.
Liverpool: Ryan Gravenberch
Martín Zubimendi was high on Liverpool’s wishlist when they tried to buy a No 6 last summer. The Spain midfielder’s decision to remain at Real Sociedad meant Arne Slot was forced to use Ryan Gravenberch in the role alongside Alexis Mac Allister. Rather than flounder, though, the Dutchman has flourished. Gravenberch ranks third for interceptions (54) and fourth for possession won in the midfield third (97) in the league this season. The rebuilt midfielder has been key in Liverpool’s push for domestic glory.
Manchester City: Mateo Kovacic
Disaster struck in September when Rodri suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury in Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal. City have been nowhere near their best without the Spain international but Mateo Kovacic has done all he could to ease Rodri’s absence, with help eventually arriving as City signed Nico González in February. Not only does the 30-year-old have five goals to his name, his pass success rate of 92.9% is the second-best among Premier League midfielders. City’s win ratio in the league improves from 27.3% to 61.9% when he starts.
Manchester United: Casemiro
Manuel Ugarte’s arrival from Paris Saint-Germain was supposed to spell the end of Casemiro’s time at Manchester United. However, Ruben Amorim’s appointment handed the Brazilian another opportunity to consolidate a spot in the team and he has grabbed it with both hands. Casemiro ranks top for tackles per 90 minutes (5.2) in the league, with the 33-year-old proving he still has a role to play at Old Trafford.
Newcastle: Jacob Murphy
Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon were considered Newcastle’s prized attacking assets at the start of the season. Good things, though, come in threes. Jacob Murphy has been just as important as his famous teammates, having provided 11 assists; only Mohamed Salah (18) has more this season. Seven of those assists have been for Isak to score, making them the best assist-to-goalscorer combination currently in the division.
Nottingham Forest: Neco Williams
Nottingham Forest’s attack has been a key reason behind their European push, with Callum Hudson-Odoi, Morgan Gibbs-White and Anthony Elanga supporting Chris Wood well. At the back, the addition of Nikola Milenkovic has helped to tighten up the Forest defence, while Neco Williams’ performances have also been vital. When Forest signed Álex Moreno from Aston Villa it looked like the Welshman might have to play second fiddle, but Williams has reclaimed his starting spot and shows no signs of relinquishing it anytime soon.
Southampton: Mateus Fernandes
Not many Southampton players can come away with any credit from a dire campaign. Youngsters Tyler Dibling and Mateus Fernandes, are perhaps the only two who can be proud of their performances. Fernandes, who joined from Sporting last summer, quickly established himself as one of Saints’ key men, and he will attract interest from Premier League clubs when the summer transfer window opens. The 20-year-old rapidly adjusted to the rigours of English football, with his consistency catching the eye in a painful season for the club.
Tottenham: Archie Gray
Tottenham struck gold with Archie Gray. After his move to Brentford fell through, Spurs acted swiftly to land the versatile teenager from Leeds, who can play at right-back, central defence or as a holding midfielder. No matter the position, the 19-year-old has delivered a series of solid showings, notably at centre-back during the club’s injury crisis. Gray has an incredibly high ceiling and supporters are excited to see what the future holds.
West Ham: Aaron Wan-Bissaka
West Ham’s season has been one to forget but the performances of Aaron Wan-Bissaka have certainly impressed. The 27-year-old left Manchester United last summer in search of regular game time. He has always been a solid defender but his attacking showings have been a pleasant surprise; Wan-Bissaka ranks third for key passes (27) in the West Ham squad. He is also a fine reader of the game, having made more interceptions (57) than any other player in the league this season.
Wolves: Matt Doherty
A four-game winning run has seen Wolves pull away from danger, with Vítor Pereira’s appointment helping to guide them up the table. The addition of Emmanuel Agbadou in January has helped solidify the team, but Pereira’s use of Matt Doherty has been just as important. Doherty has been operating as the right-sided centre-back in a three-man backline and has delivered a series of standout displays as Wolves have all but secured another season in the top flight.
This is an article by WhoScored
