The 10 most effective players in England at the start of the 2018-19 campaign have been revealed, with Liverpool’s Sadio Mane leading the pack.
The new Premier League season has kicked off with a bang as after just four games there have been thrills and spills aplenty, along with some great performances and shocking upsets.
Liverpool, Tottenham and Watford are the only teams left with 100% records, with Manchester United and Arsenal already playing catch-up after suffering two damaging early defeats.
SEE ALSO: Liverpool ace pips Mohamed Salah, Real Madrid duo ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo – top 10 performers in Europe’s top 5 leagues
Newly promoted Wolves have made a big impression on the competition with their opening salvo while West Ham United are left languishing at the bottom of the table as the only club yet to win a single point.
Courtesy of stats from WhoScored, CaughtOffside have put together the top performers have been so far, in a list which throws up a few surprising names…
1st – Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
The Senegalese attacker has been on fire for Liverpool so far, scoring four goals in as many matches to help propel Jurgen Klopp’s men to the top of the table. He has managed to overshadow last year’s golden boot winner Mohamed Salah in the early stages of the new campaign, after seemingly refining his technique in front of goal to add a more clinical edge to his game.
WhoScored rating: 8.00
2nd – Sergio Aguero (Man City)
Manchester City’s all-time record goalscorer has done what he does best at the start of the latest domestic campaign, finding the net three times already for Pep Guardiola’s men. Alan Shearer recently described him as the ‘best foreign import’ in Premier League history, which is by no means a stretch given his overall record in the competition of 146 goals scored in 210 games.
WhoScored rating: 7.91
3rd – Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
Chelsea’s talismanic winger has appeared in all of the team’s fixtures so far but has only featured twice as a starter. However, that hasn’t stopped him shining in typical Hazard fashion for the Blues, as he has contributed two goals and two assists, already seemingly relishing the freedom he is being given under the club’s new manager Maurizio Sarri.
WhoScored rating: 7.84
4th – Marcos Alonso (Chelsea)
Alonso is fast becoming the most attack-minded full-back the Premier League has ever seen, displaying superb instincts in front of goal and a constant desire to break into the final third of the pitch. He has one goal and two assists under his belt already this season and is proving to be a vital part of Chelsea’s early title charge.
WhoScored rating: 7.78
5th – Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
There has been little sign of second season syndrome creeping in for Liverpool’s ‘Egyptian King’ so far this year, as he has found the back of the net twice already for the Reds. Matching last years tally of 32 goals will be a difficult task, but Salah continues to pop up in great goalscoring situations, which makes him one of the most dangerous players in the league.
WhoScored rating: 7.75
6th – Pedro (Chelsea)
The Chelsea winger seems to have been given a new lease of life under the club’s new manager this season, as he has already scored three Premier League goals, which is just one strike short of his final tally last year. At 31, Pedro remains an explosive threat in the final third and he will no doubt continue to have a big impact on the team as the fixtures start piling up in the coming weeks.
WhoScored rating: 7.72
7th – Troy Deeney (Watford)
The strong English centre-forward has tormented opposing defences so far this season as Watford have fired their way towards the top of the Premier League with a 100% start. Deeney has scored two goals, most recently heading home against Tottenham to set the team on their way towards a famous win and supporters will hope he can do the same against Man United after the international break.
WhoScored rating: 7.65
8th – Jose Holebas (Watford)
The second Watford stalwart on the list, Holebas is a defensively competent left-back with a penchant for marauding runs forward, which has warranted great success for the team over the last four games. The veteran defender has more assists than any other player in the Premier League so far, setting up his teammates for glory on four occasions already.
WhoScored rating: 7.65
9th – Keiran Tripper (Tottenham)
Following on from his standout displays in Russia with England at the World Cup this summer, Trippier has successfully transferred his dynamic style and expert delivery skills back to club level with Spurs. With one assist and goal to his name already, the latter of which came via a trademark free-kick against Fulham, supporters can expect the 27-year-old defender to only improve as the season continues.
WhoScored rating: 7.64
10th James Milner (Liverpool)
Often described as the most reliable man in English football, Milner has once again been a fixture in Liverpool’s starting XI as Klopp’s side has secured four wins out of four. The tenacious midfielder has provided two assists and one goal for the team and impressed with his willingness to run combined with a workmanlike aggressive streak in the middle of the park.
WhoScored rating: 7.60