The Premier League's best performers so far

The Premier League season is in full swing with the current domestic campaign shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory, particularly in the title race. The top five clubs are separated by just three points as City have struggled to establish their customary position of strength atop the table. Last year’s challengers Arsenal, rejuvenated Liverpool and Tottenham sides, and even Aston Villa are all pushing the Cityzens hard in their bid to claim a record fourth consecutive Premier League crown. Pep Guardiola’s side have struggled at times this season, perhaps showing the importance of Kevin De Bruyne to their midfield, and the chasing pack have capitalized on the champions’ diminishing returns. The title really is anyone’s for the taking at this point and you’d be a brave man to try and pick out a favourite with all teams showing their strengths early on in the season. While City are by no means lacking in world-class talent, some smart transfer business has seen summer signings prove their worth already to help close the gap. To compound those concerns further still, some of the usual suspects are once again discovering some of their best form. With the title race shaping up to be an extraordinarily tight affair, here’s our look at some of the best performers making the biggest difference so far this season in the Premier League.

Mohamed Salah

The Egyptian has already secured his status as a Liverpool legend in his first six years at the club but his exploits so far this season are on track to grow his legacy further still amongst the Anfield faithful. His double against Brentford at the weekend already has him in double figures for the campaign with 10 goals and four assists from the opening 12 Premier League matches. The brace also made him the first player in club history to score in the opening six home matches of a league campaign, helping him extend a run of scoring in 14 of his last 15 Premier League appearances at Anfield. It’s an astonishing record and further evidence to the fact that Salah is operating at the top of his game. Salah’s consistency since signing for Liverpool has been remarkable and whilst you wouldn’t consider him old at 31-years-old, it’s impressive that as he’s got older, he has continued to put up incredible numbers in the Premier League. There’s no doubt he will surely be competing for the Golden Boot this term, but more significantly, playing like this, he will have Liverpool firmly back in the title picture.

Erling Haaland

The Norwegian superstar set a new record for goals in a single Premier League campaign last season with 36 strikes finding the back of the net and he is on track to better that tally this term. With 13 goals and three assists from the opening 12 matches he is well on his way to securing a second Golden Boot and creating even more history by breaking the 40 mark. Top bookmakers in the UK will have Haaland as the favourite to win the Golden Boot this season. Many had doubted whether he was capable of matching his performance from 2022/23, especially with the absence of Kevin De Bruyne, and while it took a while for the 23-year-old to settle this season, he is back to his goalscoring best. Five goals from his last four Premier League appearances, including two doubles against so-called ‘big six’ opposition, shows he is starting to hit his stride. With Haaland on song, City are looking likely to secure their fourth consecutive title and Haaland will be disappointed if he doesn’t win another Premier League Golden Boot.

James Maddison

Similarly to new manager Ange Postecoglou, there were concerns before the season got underway that Maddison might not be what the club was looking for ahead of 2023/24. Thankfully for the 26-year-old playmaker, he, along with his manager, have entirely dismantled that line of enquiry. The midfielder has been immense since arriving in North London and has shown that last season’s subpar showings for eventually relegated side Leicester was a one off. Three goals and five assists from 11 Premier League appearances shows how resourceful he has been in filling the void left by former captain Harry Kane. His passing, set pieces and vision are all superb and have seen him make highly effective partnerships with both Dejan Kulusevski and Son Heung Min. The England International has created 31 chances so far this season making him Spurs’ most valuable attacking threat. This is the third highest in the Premier League this season just behind Keiran Trippier and Bruno Fernandes. It amazes us that more clubs didn’t go after Maddison in the previous transfer window and clubs will regret not picking him up.

Declan Rice

After Arsenal paid a club-record fee of £105 million to acquire the midfielder’s services, expectations were high and it was crucial the England international hit the ground running. Thankfully for Mikel Arteta and his side, the 24-year-old has done just that. His defensive workrate is what made him such a valuable asset for David Moyes at West Ham and he has continued to display his unrivalled ability to snuff out danger and push Arsenal back up the pitch. His arrival has helped ease the burden on the defence and helped the Gunners look more at ease in tighter affairs. He is also demonstrating more attacking flair at the Emirates with crucial goals against Manchester United and a 40-yard stunner away at Chelsea. Rice has sotted right into the Arsenal midfield as many expected him to and he looks like he’s going to be at the heart of their squad for many years to come. It will still take a lot more to make good on his massive price tag but as for now, he has made the perfect start to life at the Emirates.

And that’ll do it for our look at the best performers in the Premier League this season. There’s no doubt many other players have been influential to their side so far but these are the five that stood out for us.

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