Back page The Premier League has made a roaring comeback, and Manchester City seem as determined as ever to secure their fourth consecutive title, breaking records along the way.
One key contributor to their success is Erling Haaland, who continues to shine brightly. However, it’s not just him; the entire team is in great form, and other players are staking their claim for the spotlight.
But Manchester City won’t have an easy ride. Thanks to some savvy transfer moves, Arsenal, Liverpool, and a resurgent Tottenham are all in pursuit. Under Roberto De Zerbi’s guidance, Brighton also appears ready to push towards the top. De Zerbi’s style of play draws comparisons to Pep Guardiola’s, making them stand out in European football.
Many summer signings have seamlessly adapted to their new clubs this season, and some players have thrived under new management or improved fitness. Meanwhile, Newcastle, Manchester United, and Chelsea have had lacklustre starts, leading to some unexpected contenders emerging for Haaland’s throne.
1. Erling Haaland – Manchester City
By now, we’re running out of ways to describe Haaland’s brilliance. He made Premier League defenders look helpless in his debut year with City, and no one has cracked the code to stop him.
Erling Haaland has already netted seven goals in the opening month of the new season, and more are surely on the horizon. Betting against Haaland breaking his record for the most goals in a single season seems risky.
Haaland’s knack for being at the right place at the right time makes him the standout striker of his generation. It almost feels unjust that the perennial English champions have such a lethal weapon in their Arsenal, but Haaland is here to stay, and he’ll keep shattering records as he goes along.
Before we move to the second player on our list, it’s worth noting that knowing the players, their strengths, and weaknesses is not enough for people interested in football betting. They must also learn a few tips and tricks for betting on sports.
2. Rodri – Manchester City
Undoubtedly, Rodri holds the title of Europe’s finest defensive midfielder. His presence was instrumental in City’s triumphant journey to the treble, and he even netted the crucial goal in the Champions League final. In the 2023/24 season, at 27 years old, he’s displaying an unwavering determination, setting the tempo for City as they chase more trophies.
Initially, Guardiola brought Rodri in as a successor to Fernandinho, but now he stands as a significant upgrade over the Brazilian. The former Atletico Madrid player exhibits flawless skills in every aspect of his game, and City can count themselves fortunate to have him in their ranks.
3. Julian Alvarez – Manchester City
Julian Alvarez impressed everyone last season, netting 17 goals in 23 starts for City. However, his remarkable efforts seemed overshadowed by Haaland’s record-breaking performance as the team clinched the treble.
This season, there’s been a notable shift in dynamics. Alvarez has taken up a central position behind Haaland, and this strategic change is paying off. Although he’s found the net only twice, he’s also contributed with three assists. His presence is crucial in filling the creative gap left by De Bruyne’s unfortunate injury.
4. James Maddison – Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham made a smart move by investing £40 million ($50 million) to bring James Maddison on board from Leicester City after their relegation to the Championship. It’s already proving to be the standout bargain of the summer.
In just his initial five appearances for Spurs, the 26-year-old playmaker has notched up two goals and provided assists for two more, forming a quick and effective partnership with Son and Dejan Kulusevski.
Maddison’s exceptional passing abilities, knack for finding the back of the net, and skill in set pieces make him a prized asset for Ange Postecoglou’s team. They can count on the English international to conjure moments of brilliance even in the most challenging matches.
5. Ruben Dias – Manchester City
Manchester City doesn’t just lead the scoring charts in the Premier League after five games; they’re also the most solid at the back, having allowed only three goals. A big part of this is thanks to Ruben Dias. He’s the only player in Guardiola’s line-up who doesn’t appear likely to be swapped out.
Ruben Dias, hailing from Portugal, is a true defensive maestro. His positioning is impeccable, and his technical skills are top-notch. This is why he’s been entrusted with leading the team when Kevin De Bruyne isn’t available. Moreover, Dias has played a crucial role in helping new recruit Josko Gvardiol adapt to his new environment. Together, they seem poised to form a rock-solid centre-back partnership in the upcoming months.
6. Alisson Becker – Liverpool
Liverpool might not have met expectations in the 2022/23 season, but Alisson continues to shine as arguably the Premier League’s finest goalkeeper. He’s reaffirming his brilliance this season by kickstarting Liverpool’s attacks with his excellent passing and showcasing his often-underestimated reflexes in goal.
Alisson’s remarkable save in August against Miguel Almiron’s powerful volley earned him the well-deserved Premier League Save of the Month award. This momentous stop secured Liverpool’s victory over Newcastle at St. James’ Park. The Brazilian goalkeeper will continue to rescue valuable points for Liverpool as the season unfolds.
7. Bryan Mbeumo – Brentford
Brentford pleasantly surprised everyone in the Premier League last season, and a significant part of their success was thanks to Ivan Toney, who scored 20 goals in 33 games, pushing them towards European football. However, Toney, an England international, is currently side-lined due to an eight-month ban for gambling-related issues.
But don’t despair because Bryan Mbeumo has risen to the occasion brilliantly in Toney’s absence. The talented Frenchman has already netted four goals, and his most memorable moment came when he scored a crucial late equaliser against Bournemouth. Mbeumo’s incredible skill was on full display as he left Milos Kerkez in his wake with a stunning turn before finishing the play with exceptional finesse. It’s clear that Mbeumo is much more than just a temporary replacement for Toney.
8. Declan Rice – Arsenal
Arsenal’s record-breaking signing, Declan Rice, who cost the club a hefty £105 million ($131 million), has smoothly transitioned from West Ham to the Emirates Stadium. Instead of joining Manchester City’s formidable squad under Guardiola, he moved across London.
Rice has quickly become Arteta’s go-to player and earned the admiration of fans by scoring a crucial late goal for the Gunners in a vital home victory against Manchester United last month.
His skills in retrieving the ball and making interceptions are unmatched, and he’s steadily improving his attacking prowess with each game. Arteta hopes that Rice can lead Arsenal to their first Premier League title since 2003/04.
9. Moussa Diaby – Aston Villa
Moussa Diaby made history at Aston Villa when he became their costliest signing ever, switching from Bayer Leverkusen for a whopping £52 million ($65 million) in July. He’s wasted no time in justifying that substantial investment. Diaby is a whirlwind of speed and skill, and he’s versatile enough to slot into various positions in Villa’s attacking line-up.
Unai Emery’s team has had a rollercoaster start to the season, showing some shakiness in defence. However, they can rest assured about their goal-scoring abilities, with Diaby at the forefront of their attacking efforts.
