West Ham are no longer riding the wave of their 2022-23 Europa Conference League success, but they are still in the mix for a top-seven finish under David Moyes. A lot of the credit must go to Jarrod Bowen, who scored the winner in their now famous final victory over Fiorentina last May, as he’s improved his finishing to help the Hammers become one of the most effective counter-attacking sides in the Premier League.

The 27-year-old is up to 16 Premier League goals this season, 10 more than he managed in the whole of last term, with his latest effort helping the Hammers to a surprise 2-2 draw with Liverpool. Bowen has also managed to set up another six as the focal point in West Ham’s attack, forcing his way into the England squad as a result, and could start attracting interest from top clubs if he continues on his current trajectory.

• 15Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) ⬇️

  So many people wrote Virgil van Dijk off after a dismal 2022-23 season, but he’s largely shown that class is permanent over the past 10 months, rolling back the years to lead Klopp’s new crop of ‘mentality monsters’.

  There isn’t a more complete defender in the game than Van Dijk when he’s firing on all cylinders, and that has been the case more often than not this term, as he’s dominated in one-on-one duels and won everything in the air while setting the tone for Liverpool’s attacks with his composure and quality on the ball.

  Klopp’s shock decision to step down as head coach at the end of the season initially seemed to give Van Dijk another injection of motivation, as evidenced by his stunning performance in the Reds’ Carabao Cup final victory over Chelsea, which he capped by heading in the winning goal.

  The Dutchman would have been desperate to ensure Klopp signed off with a second Premier League crown, but Liverpool have imploded at the worst possible time, winning just one of their last five games, with a 2-0 derby defeat to Everton all but ending their title challenge. The 32-year-old has been as guilty as anyone of allowing his standards to slip, but it will be his responsibility to make sure that the Reds finish the campaign on a positive note, and history suggests he won’t shrink from that challenge.

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  14Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) 🌟

  It’s no exaggeration to suggest that Manchester United would have been fighting to avoid being dragged into a relegation dogfight had it not been for Bruno Fernandes. Erik ten Hag’s side have been dire as a collective throughout the season, and won’t be playing Champions League football next term as a consequence, but Fernandes can still hold his head up high after a string of superb individual performances.

  The Portuguese has somehow managed to record 17 goal involvements in this terrible United side, including nine in his last eight appearances, leading by example with his work rate and exceptional passing range. Fernandes does divide opinion among neutrals with his theatrics and body language, but there is no denying his quality.

  If United are to start building towards a far brighter future under new minority owners INEOS, it’s imperative that Fernandes is right at the centre of the project. The Red Devils are lucky to have the magical 29-year-old, who would probably get into the starting XI at every other top club in Europe.

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  13Son Heung-min (Tottenham) ⬆️

  There was a lot of pressure on Son to deliver for Spurs this season. After Harry Kane’s departure to Bayern Munich, the South Korean became the main man in the team, which was further underlined by Ange Postecoglou’s decision to hand him the captaincy.

  By his own admission, the 2022-23 campaign was Son’s most disappointing in a Tottenham shirt to date. However, the 31-year-old has shown he still has plenty left in the tank while swapping between his usual position on the left and a central striker role this term.

  Son has hit 16 goals, including three across two pulsating north London derby games against Arsenal, showing once again that he is peerless when it comes to the art of finishing. Finishing in the Champions League places would represent an excellent debut season for Postecoglou, but Spurs are now playing catch-up behind Aston Villa, and could really do with another trademark Son burst in their final five games.

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  12Ruben Dias (Manchester City) ↔️

  City are still one of the best defensive sides in England, which is mainly down to the presence of Dias, who is one of the few players in Guardiola’s line-up that doesn’t seem to be at risk of rotation when fully fit. The Portuguese is a master defender with superb positional sense and excellent technical qualities, and always takes on a leading role in his partnerships with Manuel Akanji, Josko Gvardiol and Nathan Ake.

  John Stones’ continued struggles with injury have robbed Dias of his main right-hand man, and he had his share of setbacks earlier in the season, but it’s impossible to keep such a smooth operator down for long. If City are to make more history come May, Dias will be front and centre once again as the general in Guardiola’s ranks.

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  11Alexander Isak (Newcastle) ⬆️

  Alexander Isak’s first two seasons in the Premier League have been significantly disrupted by injury, which makes his haul of 29 goals in 48 appearances all the more remarkable. Nineteen of those efforts have come this term, with Newcastle’s initial £60 million ($75m) investment in the forward now looking like a steal, and he has broken Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s record as the highest scoring Swedish player in a single Premier League season.

  Comparisons between Isak and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry have also been drawn because of the Newcastle star’s elegance on the ball and composure in the final third. After seeing Isak hit a stunning brace against Spurs, former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch said on TNT Sports: “He is so calm when he gets in those positions. He cut [Mickey] Van de Ven up a few times… You always know he is going to score, he has great feet and leads the line. He’s not got the blistering pace Henry had, but the calmness in front of goal.”

  All the top Premier League clubs are now interested in Isak, and Newcastle may have a fight on their hands to keep hold of him in the summer. If the 24-year-old can finally put his fitness problems behind him, there is no limit to what he could achieve in the coming years.
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  10Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) ⬇️

  Salah’s status as a Liverpool legend has long been secured, and he proved his loyalty to the club beyond all reasonable doubt when Al-Ittihad came calling in the summer window. A lucrative move to Saudi Arabia was on the table, but Salah stayed put, and has since shown his unique value to Klopp’s side once again.

  Salah has recorded 17 goals and nine assists to help Liverpool re-emerge as title contenders, and the 31-year-old will still believe he can beat Haaland to the Golden Boot, despite his side’s alarming recent form. A second Premier League winners’ medal would have cemented Salah status among the greatest players to ever grace English football, but the Reds are now destined to finish behind City again, not least because their star man has been struggling for rhythm after suffering an unfortunate AFCON injury with Egypt.

  A return of just two goals from his last eight Premier League appearances highlights how rusty Salah has been, and he allowed his frustration to boil over in a shocking touchline spat with Klopp after being benched at West Ham. At the moment, it looks like Klopp’s nine-year reign will end with a whimper, but it would be foolish to write Salah off just yet.

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  9Rodri (Manchester City) ↔️

  Rodri’s status as the best defensive midfielder in Europe is unquestionable. The Spaniard was the driving force behind City’s run to the treble, and even scored the winner in the Champions League final. The 27-year-old looks as motivated as ever in 2023-24 too, with his tenacity and energy setting the tone for City amid their pursuit of even more silverware.

  Guardiola initially brought in Rodri as a successor to Fernandinho, but he must now be classed as a huge upgrade on the Brazilian. The former Atletico Madrid man has no flaws in his game and City usually suffer when he is absent, as illustrated when Guardiola’s side slumped to back-to-back defeats against Wolves and Arsenal in October without their star midfielder.

  City did hand Rodri a deserved rest in their rout of Luton Town, but he returned with two typically assured performances in wins over Brighton and Nottingham Forest, and Guardiola will hope he avoids any late suspensions for the run-in, especially given the fact he is also making such an important contribution going forward. Rodri has hit seven Premier League goals in 2023-24, including a superb strike to set City on their way to a vital win at Aston Villa, and he can always be relied upon to seize the initiative in the tightest matches.

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  8William Saliba (Arsenal) ↔️

  Arsenal have been able to launch an even stronger title challenge this season with Saliba providing a rock solid base in the heart of the defence. The Frenchman was in the treatment room for the business end of the 2022-23 campaign and the Gunners fell apart in his absence, but he has returned in better shape than ever before.

  Arteta’s side have the best defensive record in the division so far this term, which is largely thanks to Saliba’s immense displays. The 23-year-old is a master when it comes to timing tackles and has the cool head to help Arsenal turn defence to attack within the blink of an eye.

  No one is more important to the collective cause than Saliba, which he proved once again as Arsenal embarked on a three-match winning run to wrap up their April schedule. He didn’t cover himself in glory during the Gunners’ damaging 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa, but has since shown real strength of character to lift the team, and if he can keep it up they still have real hope of catching City at the top of the table.

• 7Cole Palmer (Chelsea) ↔️

  Palmer made the brave decision to leave Man City last summer in search of regular minutes, and has since proven to be the bargain of the season for Chelsea at £42.5 million ($54m). The 21-year-old has been the biggest bright spark throughout another frustrating campaign for the Blues, showing maturity and skill belying his tender age while taking on a leading role in Mauricio Pochettino’s set-up.

  The Argentine has deployed Palmer in a number of different positions, and he’s risen to the challenge each time, with his brilliance on the ball adding a new dimension to Chelsea’s attack. Palmer can execute a defence-splitting pass from anywhere on the pitch and has a real eye for goal – as he showed once again by netting four times in a 6-0 thrashing of Everton – which has earned him senior recognition for England.

  Chelsea still have a long way to go before they can challenge the elite again, but they have one of the most exciting talents in Europe on their hands in Palmer, who could yet finish the campaign as the top-scorer in the Premier League – which would be a remarkable achievement given the Blues’ inconsistency. It will be fascinating to see how he continues to develop in the coming months at Stamford Bridge, but it’s safe to say that Palmer has already earned a special place in the hearts of the Chelsea faithful.

• 6Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) ↔️

  Saka deservedly scooped the 2022-23 PFA Young Player of the Year award after spearheading Arsenal’s surprise title charge, and may just be in with a shout of landing the senior prize this time around, having made another huge stride forward under Mikel Arteta.

  The Gunners have paced themselves far better this season, with Saka proving to be the difference-maker at the top end of the pitch once again. The 22-year-old can score from any angle and has the creative qualities to open up defences at will, which is why he has already posted 24 goal contributions this term.

  Arteta is now having to manage Saka’s minutes more effectively due to burnout concerns, but he will continue to give Arsenal an X-factor in the biggest games, as he blocks out the critics who claim he is still not ‘world-class’. That debate will rage on if the Gunners fail to win the title again, but Saka’s presence alone means they have every chance of picking up maximum points from their remaining games, which might just be enough to pip City.

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  5Erling Haaland (Manchester City) ⬇️

  Haaland is on course to win a second-successive Golden Boot with 21 league goals to his name in the current campaign, despite being absent in December and January due to injury, while the 23-year-old has largely flattered to deceive since his return.

  More and more questions are being asked over Haaland’s lack of involvement in general play, with Manchester United legend Roy Keane claiming he “looked like a League Two player” during City’s recent 0-0 draw with Arsenal. It is certainly fair to say that the Norway international needs to work on the technical side of his game, but as Guardiola has pointed out, he’s still the best striker in the world.

  Even when he’s on the periphery of games, Haaland will still get chances because of his intelligent movement and natural intuition in and around the box. He’s also a strong character who doesn’t let negative comments bring him down and instead uses them as fuel, which is why City’s rivals would be stupid to let their guard down.

  Haaland remains the most deadly weapon in Guardiola’s arsenal, as he proved once again with a sublime run and finish after stepping off the bench at Forest, and he’s poised to finish the campaign in explosive fashion after making a swift recovery from a muscle problem.

  

  4Martin Odegaard (Arsenal) ⬆️

  “The way he behaves himself in front of the group and the standards that he sets are outstanding,” Mikel Arteta said after Martin Odegaard’s Man-of-the-Match performance for Arsenal against Luton on April 3. “He’s a really important player. We needed that balance. Martin is vital to connect everything in the way we play.”

  Odegaard hit his seventh Premier League goal of the season in that 2-0 home victory, and produced another masterclass three days later to help the Gunners breeze past Brighton, while he produced one of the finest individual displays of the entire season in their recent derby demolition of Chelsea. The Norwegian never made the grade at Real Madrid, but they must now be rueing their decision to give up on him so soon, as he’s proven himself as one of the best playmakers in Europe at Emirates Stadium.

  Arsenal know they can rely on Odegaard to take the ball under pressure and make things happen, while he also makes a vital contribution with his work rate out of possession, setting a shining example for his team-mates. Even when Odegaard has off-days and doesn’t see as much of the ball, as was the case at Tottenham on Sunday, he’s still the Gunners’ most threatening player and his energy is infectious, which is why he has the potential to go on and become a club legend.

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  3Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) ⬇️

  Watkins has been Villa’s main source of goals since his arrival at the club in 2020, and bagged 15 during the club’s run to a top-seven finish last season, but he is now taking his game to new heights under Emery.

  The 28-year-old is already up to 19 goals this term, with his latest superb finish capping off Villa’s massive victory over Arsenal at the Emirates, while he’s also managed to lay on another 12 for his team-mates, catching the eye of England boss Gareth Southgate in the process.

  Villa have fallen off the pace at the top of table, which was always a likely scenario given their lack of squad depth, but they are still very much on course for a top-four finish thanks to Watkins’ ruthlessness. And if the Villa talisman can keep delivering the goods, he will surely book a seat on the plane to Germany with his country this summer.

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  2Declan Rice (Arsenal) ⬆️

  Arsenal’s club-record £105m ($131m) signing, Declan Rice has been at instant hit since swapping West Ham for the bright lights at the Emirates Stadium, having opted for a move across London instead of joining up with Guardiola’s winning machine at City. Rice is now the first name on Arteta’s team-sheet, having instantly endeared himself to supporters with a crucial late goal for the Gunners that set them on their way to a home win over Manchester United in August.

  The 25-year-old is unmatched when it comes to ball recoveries and interceptions, but he also carries a real threat going forward – as evidenced by his stunning long-range efforts against Chelsea and West Ham. The England international has also showed off his dead-ball expertise since being appointed Arsenal’s new permanent corner-taker at the turn of the year, with his latest assist coming in the form of perfectly flighted corner for Kai Havertz in the derby win over Spurs.

  Rice’s willingness to embrace extra responsibility is what really makes him special, and his relentless aggression has lifted Arsenal to another level. Winning a first Premier League crown since 2003-04 may still be a pipedream for the Gunners, but in Rice they have arguably best all-round midfielder in the country right now, and he’ll do everything within his power to make it a reality.

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  1Phil Foden (Manchester City) ↔️

  City have been blessed with a host of creative geniuses during the Guardiola era, but Foden is well on his way to eclipsing all of them. At just 23, he already looks like a complete player, and is now the one City turn to to open games up with his agility and speed of thought in possession.

  Foden has 16 Premier League goals to his name so far this season, his best-ever total, and there could still be plenty more to come. The England man has become the most feared member of an all-star City team and looks unstoppable right now, with his latest stellar showing coming in the 4-0 romp at Brighton, which saw him net another brilliant brace.

  England’s status as favourites for the Euros also has a lot to do with Foden, who sits in the world-class bracket already and has all the attributes to go on and become one of the greatest players of his generation – with the 2024 Ballon d’Or now firmly within his sights.