10. Jesse Lingard – Attacking Midfielder, West Ham United (On Loan)
Probably the transfer of the season, Jesse Lingard produced one of the most remarkable career turnarounds ever seen, proving just how important mental health can be for a player to progress in his career. Lingard's image as a player had supposedly suffered irreparable harm by the time he left Manchester United on loan. He had openly discussed about his mother's depression and how it affected his family and his performances during his time at Manchester United.
His statistics from his final three years at Old Trafford were completely merciless. A player best recognized as an offensive midfielder or winger had only scored 13 times in his previous 79 Premier League outings, a very poor return by Manchester United’s usually high standards, especially when compared to the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford.
However, one phone call from former Manchester United manager David Moyes changed everything. Lingard arrived at West Ham in January on loan, having not started as single game for Man Utd till then.
Lingard announced his arrival with some explosive performances, immediately becoming West Ham’s biggest attacking threat and completely galvanizing their gameplay, scoring 9 goals in just 16 matches and also providing 4 assists, almost taking West Ham to the top 4 and subsequent UCL qualification. This sort of remarkable form also got Lingard included in the England squad for Euro 2020, something that would’ve been impossible to imagine before January.
9. Son Heung Min – Attacking Midfielder, Tottenham Hotspurs
While Harry Kane is unquestionably Tottenham Hotspur's talisman, Son Heung Min's importance cannot be understated. Despite his team's seventh-place finish, the South Korean is one of the Premier League's most explosive forwards and had another spectacular season. His combination with Kane is regarded as one of the best partnerships in Premier League history.
For the second season in a row, Son notched up double figures in Premier League goals and assists both, a remarkable feat for any player at any club. He scored 17 goals and provided a further 10 assists in 37 league games, while Kane led the way in both those charts, with the pair wreaking havoc on opposition defenders throughout the season.
Son has been remarkably effective in the biggest of matches specially, from scoring a blinder against fierce North London Derby rivals Arsenal, to scoring in both games against title runners up Manchester United.
The South Korean, at 28, is already regarded as the best player to ever emerge from Asia, with his speed, versatility and finishing prowess putting him in world class category.
8. Luke Shaw – Left Back, Manchester United
Luke Shaw has had to battle with a lot of issues, both on and off the pitch ever since making his Manchester United debut. He was tipped to be Ashley Cole’s long-term successor for England, however he couldn’t quite manage to live up to the hype till this season.
Shaw was also heavily criticized by former United manager Jose Mourinho, and was often dropped from the side. Shaw also faced a lot of online trolls, with many making fun of his comparatively unfit body shape, and fat shamed him relentlessly. United also went on to sign very highly rated left-back Alex Telles from Porto, and he was expected to end Shaw’s United career.
However, Shaw has well and truly silenced his doubters this season, none more so than Mourinho, whose Spurs side were destroyed by Manchester United, with Shaw putting in a man of the match performance. He has also reduced Telles to a bit part player, such has been his dominance in the left back role this season. Widely regarded as the best left back in the country right now, Shaw is now the favourite to start over the highly rated Ben Chilwell for England at Euro 2020.
7. Kevin De Bruyne – Midfielder, Manchester City
Arguably the best midfielder in the world, Kevin De Bruyne is different class altogether. Though by his own high standards, he did not have his best season, especially compared to last season when he won the PFA Player Of The Year award.
Despite an injury ridden season, KDB as he is fondly called, had the most number of goal contributions in all competitions for Man City with 28, as City stormed to the Premier League title as well as the league cup, as well as reached the UCL final.
De Bruyne has been running the show ever at City since he earned his transfer from the Bundesliga, where he made waves. KDB is one of the best passers in the game today, and his vision is unmatched, as he can pick out passes that no one sees coming. He is well on course to beat the all-time assist record in the Premier League, and has been described as a “striker’s dream” to play with, as a compliment to the brilliant clear-cut chances he lays on a platter for the forwards around him.
6. Ilkay Gundogan – Midfielder, Manchester City
While KDB is used to being universally praised for what he brings to the side, this season it was actually Ilkay Gundogan who City’s most important midfielder. Gundogan well and truly stepped up when KDB got injured and City’s season looked in danger of imploding.
The German put all his injury troubles behind him to record the most prolific season of his career as he notched up 13 league goals and 4 assists in just 28 games, crucially solving Pep Guardiola’s goal scoring troubles as Sergio Aguero was injured and Gabriel Jesus was misfiring throughout the season.
Gundogan’s versatility is one of his biggest assets, and he is one of the most fluid operators of the ball in the middle, aligning perfectly with Guardiola’s Tiki-Taka playing style. He was City’s main goal scoring threat at a very crucial stage of the season, as they came from behind to wrestle the top spot on the league table. Despite turning 30 recently, Gundogan’s showing no signs of slowing down, and is again set to be City’s top performer next season as well.
5. Mason Mount – Attacking Midfielder, Chelsea
A 22-year-old player, in just his second full season at the club, winning the club’s player of the year award, in a season when the club has reached the UCL final, must be something special. Frank Lampard’s go-to player is now Chelsea’s Golden Boy, with the world at his feet. Mason Mount, remember the name, because this kid is going right to the very top, for club and country both.
Mason Mount has quickly evolved in to Chelsea’s most important player at a very young age, which is something special considering he has been at the club since he was 6 years old! His tenacity, ability to switch play to either flank, long range shooting, free kicks, agility on the ball, technical dribbling and chance creation, all stand out at his club, a testament to his undoubted talent and versatility.
Ever since Frank Lampard was sacked as Chelsea manager, rumours were rife that incoming boss Thomas Tuchel will not trust Mount as much, and he was even dropped for the first game under Tuchel, fueling the rumours even more.
However, ever since that day, Mount has gone on to become the club’s undisputed best player, with 12 goals and assists in the Premier League as well as some crucial goals against Porto and Real Madrid to send his club to the UCL final. He is also a firm favourite of current England manager Gareth Southgate, and is expected to be the first name on the team sheet at Euro 2020.
4. Bruno Fernandes – Attacking Midfielder, Manchester United
Bruno Fernandes has completely taken the Premier League by storm ever since his deadline day transfer in January 2020. While he had a brilliant first 5 months last season, this season he has elevated his game to the next level. With a staggering 18 league goals and a further 12 assists, Bruno became the first player since Robin Van Persie back in 2013, to total 30 league goal contributions in one season. One of Bruno’s biggest assets is that he can change the game in one moment despite not playing well, a true impact player.
Bruno has also been the butt of many jokes online, with regards to the number of penalties he has taken in 18 months, but truth be told, he is one of the most reliable penalty takers in the world right now. He also has the ability to score some spectacular goals from distance. Though many critics have slammed him for play-acting and diving, which has led him to be a player people love to hate, no one can deny that he is one of the most influential players in the league.
3. Mohammed Salah – Forward, Liverpool
The Premier League’s most prolific goal scorer ever since he arrived in 2017, Mohammed Salah had another goal-laden season for an erstwhile struggling Liverpool side.
With injuries to many key players, none more so than Virgil Van Dijk, arguably the best defender in the world, Liverpool’s season took a disastrous turn since the start of the year, as they started free-falling, including 6 consecutive home defeats. However, Salah’s goals never dried up, and he single handedly rescued their season as the Reds finished 3rd with a brilliant run of 5 consecutive wins towards the end of the season.
Salah scored 22 goals and provided 5 more assists, as the prolific Egyptian cemented his status as one of the most consistent forwards in Premier League history. He missed just one match for his team this season, and was an ever-present inspirational figure on the pitch even when things were not going their way.
2. Ruben Dias – Centre Back, Manchester City
Probably the greatest centre back the league has seen since John Terry retired, Ruben Dias is one of the biggest reasons behind Manchester City’s dominance this season. The defender was purchased from Portugal and has been the undisputed signing of the season in the Premier League, despite the whopping $75 million fee paid to Benfica for his signature.
He has proved to be worth every penny for Man City, organizing a rather panicky defence with his leadership qualities and reading of the game. His aerial ability is second to none, and so is his command of the box. His willingness to put his body on the line and sacrifice for the team’s cause has earned repeated comparison with the legendary John Terry, a feat even more amazing considering he is only 24. He has already won the FWA Player Of The Year award, and is destined for greatness in the years to come.
1. Harry Kane – Striker, Tottenham Hotspurs
The current Golden boy of English football, Harry Kane is the most consistently prolific forward the league has seen since Alan Shearer. Kane has just had a dream season, despite his club struggling in the league this season.
Kane became the first player in Premier League history to win both, the Golden Boot award for scoring most goals, as well as the Playmaker award for providing the most assists, a remarkable feat that highlights his importance to the club.
Kane recorded a staggering 37 goal contributions this season in the Premier League, 7 clear of the next best player, as he won his 3rd Premier League Golden Boot. At the age of 27, Kane is truly in his prime, and has been linked with a potentially Premier League record breaking transfer to the likes of Manchester United, City and even fierce rivals Chelsea. Kane is undoubtedly the best all-round forward in the game today, and the world is at his feet. After winning the Golden Boot at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, he is expected to repeat that feat at Euro 2020 as well.
