This season, City have gone out and proved that they are the side to beat so it is not a surprise the team has more than one such player.
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Every season, the English Premier League (EPL) serves up some of the best footballing action in all departments of the beautiful game. From attacking to defending to goalkeeping, England’s premier footballing competition boasts of some of the finest in world football. However, there can only be one sitting at the top of the mountain in every field. The best attacker, the best midfielder, the best defender and the best goalkeeper. This season, Manchester City have gone out and proved that they are the side to beat so it is not a surprise the team has more than one such player. With the league halfway done, here is a look at the best players in the EPL so far in the 2021-22 season in every position.
Before the season started, reports stated that Mohammed Salah’s future at Liverpool was uncertain. Many had predicted that these doubts can be the undoing of the Egyptian as they could have affected his performances on the pitch. However, Salah has been at the top of his game for the club and he does not seem to be stopping soon. With 16 goals to his name already, the Egyptian comfortably leads the race for the EPL golden boot and is likely to win the award by a significant margin. His consistency will be crucial if Liverpool are to close the gap to City at the top and mount a proper challenge for the title.
Many would have expected to see an attacking midfielder, the likes of Kevin de Bruyne or Bruno Fernandes as the best midfielder so far but truth be told, Rodri has been the key to Guardiola’s success over at the Etihad this season. The 25-year-old needed a couple of seasons in Guardiola’s system to truly shine, but he has. From his defensive midfield position, he has easily led the team in ball recoveries, winning 57% of his duels (64% of aerial duels), and completing 93% of his passes into the attacking third. And, while City has only conceded eight goals in 16 games with him on the field, they have conceded six goals in four games without him. He could be the most important player on the most important team.
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Much like in the case of midfielders, fans usually expect to see the names of strong center-backs when it comes to the best defender of the season. Usually the names of Virgil van Dijk and Aymeric Laporte are thrown around. Although both those players have been good, City’s left wing-back Joao Cancelo has been playing on another level this season. Cancelo, who has been used as a jack-of-all-trades by Pep Guardiola in the past, has spent most of this season on the left flank, where he has linked up beautifully with summer signing Jack Grealish. The Portugal international leads the Premier League in touches and pass attempts for the team with the most passes this season. He’s a rock-solid defender who also leads the team in assists and ball recoveries.
This is certainly a name that people must not have expected to think of but there is a very good reason why Manchester United’s shot-stopper deserves to be on the list. Looking at United’s season, no one would expect them to have players playing at the top of their game but their goalkeeper has been in fine form since the start. Despite recording only five clean sheets in the league so far, David de Gea has been the reason, time and again, for United not suffering embarrassing losses. The Spaniard has saved more shots (86) than anyone in the division and had it not been for his excellence, the Red Devils might not even be in the race for the top four.
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