Ranking the top 10 players in the Premier League

Pep Guardiola kicked off a debate by claiming Phil Foden is the best player in the Premier League after the Manchester derby.

While we disagree with the Manchester City boss, we do not think he will be too disappointed to see the names heading our top 10.

1. Kevin De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne has registered a goal involvement every 48 minutes in all competitions since returning from a five-month injury lay-off in January.

The opposition are never safe with the Belgian on the field and he remains the player Liverpool and Arsenal will most fear could steer the title race in City's favour.

2. Rodri

The pin which Guardiola's side revolves around, Rodri is surely the best holding midfielder in world football.

Handily, he also has a habit of scoring vital goals, following up last season's Champions League final winner with crucial strikes against Sheffield United and Chelsea this term.

3. Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah has not scored fewer than 19 goals in any of his six full Premier League campaigns — a record deserving of a podium finish if ever there was one.

He needs four more strikes to extend that run this term, is one assist away from reaching double figures for the sixth time and could lead Liverpool to the title should he achieve both.

4. Phil Foden

Foden's derby-day heroics see him ranked a place or two higher than he might have been.

The electric 23-year-old is legitimately now one of the elite players in the division and is in the running for end-of-season gongs.

5. Erling Haaland

Erling Haaland's peculiar run of misses sees him drop to fifth from a natural position in the top three.

It seems unlikely he will ever go lower, with some enormous games he could help decide coming up over the next few weeks.

6. Bukayo Saka

Bukayo Saka had scored in five consecutive league games prior to Arsenal's 6-0 win over Sheffield United on Monday, in which he registered two assists.

Ranking fourth in the division for goal contributions, he is a permanent fixture in the top 10.

7. Virgil van Dijk

It seemed last season like the serious knee injury Virgil van Dijk suffered in 2020 had permanently slowed him down.

Instead, the Dutchman has returned to imperious form for Liverpool and also captains superbly.

8. Declan Rice

Arsenal's tremendous defensive record can be attributed to Declan Rice's work in midfield as much as the defenders behind him.

The summer signing from West Ham gives the Gunners total control of the game — and has also proved himself handy from set-pieces.

9. Martin Odegaard

Rice's midfield partner slots in at No9 after pulling the strings during a run of form that has seen Arsenal win their seven Premier League matches in 2024 by an aggregate score of 31-3.

Martin Odegaard's record of six goals and seven assists in 24 league appearances may not shine compared with esteemed rivals but the way he presses and manufactures attacks is vital.

10. Ollie Watkins

Posting the most goal contributions in the league for a non-top three side is some feat.

Ollie Watkins is the only player to hit double figures for both goals and assists and now looks set to lead Aston Villa into the Champions League.