While NFL and NBA might get the lion’s share of attention in the United States, the English Premier League remains the most followed sports league globally. Its fanbase is measured in billions, not millions, and it seems to still be growing into new markets. Indeed, there are plans to follow in the footsteps of the NFL by playing some games abroad.
Central to the Premier League is the concept of the game as a product, and that product is only ever as good as the players on the 20 teams across the league. Thankfully for them, they have the financial clout to bring the best players in the world to England. The Premier League’s financial might means teams with lower profiles can even outmuscle continental heavyweights like Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Of course, players come and go, but who is the cream of the crop in the most-watched sports league on the planet? Let’s make an argument for this octet, starting with a Norwegian goal-machine.
1. Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
He is on course to shatter just about every goalscoring record in Premier League history, and he’s probably the main reason that Manchester City are favorites in the Premier League odds to win yet another title. Some pundits have tried to criticize Haaland for his general play, but it really doesn’t matter when you score at the rate he does. A beast of a player that no team has yet worked out how to handle.
2. Mohammed Salah (Liverpool)
The best compliment we can give Salah is that he remains underrated, even if he is adored by Liverpool fans and respected by rivals. The Egyptian King has been arguably the league’s most consistent forward over the last 7-8 years, and his nous for getting ‘clutch’ goals has made him into a Liverpool legend.
3. Rodri (Manchester City)
The Spanish midfielder is starting to get the widespread acclaim he deserves. A holding midfielder is not the sexiest job in soccer, but Rodri has become the rock on which Manchester City’s dominance is based upon. Haaland gets the goals, De Bruyne (see below) sets them up, but Rodri is the colossus in midfield that ensures City control the game.
4. Bakayo Saka (Arsenal)
If Manchester City’s dominance is to be challenged, then most people think it will come from Arsenal. Under Mikel Arteta, the Gunners have become a force to be reckoned with, and their most potent offensive weapon is the 23yo English winger. Saka has matured into an elite player, and the good news for Arsenal fans is he has the potential to get even better.
5. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
The third and final Man City player on this list, De Bruyne, is a magician capable of seeing patterns in a game that nobody else does. His ability to unlock a defense with a pass is well-noted, but he is also as tough as nails. He has arguably been Pep Guardiola’s greatest-ever Premier League player at Manchester City, and that’s saying something.
6. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
The first name on this list that might prove somewhat controversial for its inclusion. The Manchester United captain gets a lot of flak due to the underwhelming efforts of his club over the years, but Fernandes has been a bright spot. Certainly, his goals and assists show just how talented he is. A misunderstood player, but one who deserves respect.
7. Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal)
Once considered a Real Madrid reject, Martin Ødegaard is now the heartbeat of the Arsenal team that finished second in the Premier League last season and has plans to go one step further this season. The Norwegian has been selected as the Gunners’ captain and rightly so, as he has become the pivotal player for an exciting team.
8. Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Chelsea had a difficult season last term, but Cole Palmer was a bright spot. He was second only to Erling Haaland in the Premier League scoring chats last season, all the more impressive when you consider that Palmer is not a classic striker. Palmer has picked up from where he left off in the new season. And not that Chelsea look to be sorting out their issues, the sky is the limit.
Honorable Mention. We have left out the player who is the current recipient of the PFA Player of the Year award (equivalent to MVP), Phil Foden. The City player, however, has had a slow start to this season and had a disappointing time of it at Euro 2024. Still, you could argue he should be on the list. Others for whom inclusions could be merited include Virgil Van Dijk and Alisson Becker (both Liverpool), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Gabriel Magalhaes, Declan Rice, and William Saliba (Arsenal), and Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur).
