The Premier League is the most watched league on the planet and home to the greatest players in the world.
Mohamed Salah cemented himself as one of the best wingers of all time last season, picking up the PFA Player of the Year award for a record third time. But who is the best player in the English top flight right now?
Ranking factors Current form Importance to team Reputation and honours 50-41
50. Tomas Soucek
West Ham
49. Nordi Mukiele
Sunderland
48. Viktor Gyokeres
Arsenal
47. Jordan Henderson
Brentford
46. Gianluigi Donnarumma
Man City
45. Danny Welbeck
Brighton
44. Rayan Cherki
Man City
43. Robin Roefs
Sunderland
42. Cody Gakpo
Liverpool
41. Diego Gomez
Brighton
Nordi Mukiele has been sensational for Sunderland, while Rayan Cherki is finally forcing his way into Man City’s best XI and Tomas Soucek makes the top 50 after scoring in two straight games for West Ham.
Diego Gomez may be the next off the Brighton production line of South American superstars after his brace against Leeds, while teammate Danny Welbeck is making a charge to be included in England’s World Cup squad.
40-31
40. Reece James
Chelsea
39. Mohammed Kudus
Tottenham
38. Josko Gvardiol
Man City
37. Ismaila Sarr
Crystal Palace
36. Hugo Ekitike
Liverpool
35. Sandro Tonali
Newcastle
34. Riccardo Calafiori
Arsenal
33. Enzo Fernandez
Chelsea
32. Micky van de Ven
Tottenham
31. Marc Guehi
Crystal Palace
Mohammed Kudus’ loss of form and recent injury sees him fall down the list, and the same can be said for Hugo Ekitike, who was hooked after an anonymous display for Liverpool in the defeat at the Etihad.
Marc Guehi has played a crucial part in Crystal Palace’s hot start, while Micky van de Ven’s recent goalscoring form keeps him just ahead of north London rival Riccardo Calafiori.
30-21
30. Dan Ballard
Sunderland
29. Marcos Senesi
Bournemouth
28. Yankuba Minteh
Brighton
27. Martin Zubimendi
Arsenal
26. David Raya
Arsenal
25. Bryan Mbeumo
Man United
24. Ryan Gravenberch
Liverpool
23. Daniel Munoz
Crystal Palace
22. Granit Xhaka
Sunderland
21. Bruno Guimaraes
Newcastle
David Raya has barely had to make a save over the last few weeks, but the Spaniard slipped up slightly in a mix-up with Gabriel against Sunderland. Dan Ballard’s performance in that enthralling 2-2 draw earns the former Gunners youngster a place in the top 30.
Daniel Munoz is the standout wing-back in the league this season, helping Crystal Palace to another clean sheet against Brighton. Bruno Guimaraes stays just ahead of North East counterpart Granit Xhaka despite their respective league positions.
20-11
20. Elliot Anderson
Nottingham Forest
19. Virgil van Dijk
Liverpool
18. Igor Thiago
Brentford
17. Jarrod Bowen
West Ham
16. Iliman Ndiaye
Everton
15. Jean-Philippe Mateta
Crystal Palace
14. Nick Woltemade
Newcastle
13. Jack Grealish
Everton
12. William Saliba
Arsenal
11. Mohamed Salah
Liverpool
Virgil van Dijk falls in the rankings after Liverpool were beaten 3-0 by Manchester City, albeit the defender was unlucky to see a brilliant header chalked off. Elliot Anderson makes his first appearance in the top 20.
Nick Woltemade is on the verge of cracking the top ten as he grabbed another assist despite defeat at Brentford, while Igor Thiago is soaring up the rankings after taking his goal tally for the season to nine in all competitions.
10 Antoine Semenyo – Bournemouth
Semenyo was hot property in the summer but signed a new contract with Bournemouth, and the Cherries will be delighted he did. The 25 year-old has six goals and three assists, but has slowed down in recent weeks and missed a penalty against Aston Villa.
9 Bukayo Saka – Arsenal
Arsenal’s ‘star boy’ had a mixed start to the season hampered by injuries, but has returned to the side and returned to form without skipping a beat, getting back on the scoresheet at the Stadium of Light.
8 Dominik Szoboszlai – Liverpool
Perhaps the only Liverpool player who can hold his head high over the last month, the Hungary international has played just about every position on the pitch for the Reds this term. There is arguably no more well rounded midfielder in the country right now.
7 Jeremy Doku – Manchester City
Doku makes a sharp rise in the rankings after tearing Liverpool to pieces during City’s 3-0 victory over the champions. The Belgium star scored his first top flight goal of the season with a stunning curling effort, having already earned a penalty with his quick feet and direct play.
6 Jurrien Timber – Arsenal
Is there a better right-back in world football right now than Timber? We don’t think so. The Netherlands international has made Arsenal’s right flank his own and barely put a foot wrong despite his side dropping points at Sunderland.
5 Bruno Fernandes – Man United
Put a little quality around him and suddenly you see the real Bruno. The United skipper has assisted in three of his last four games and is without a doubt the most important player in the Red Devils’ recent unbeaten run.
4 Moises Caicedo – Chelsea
Caicedo is doing everything you could ask of a central midfielder for Chelsea, making over three tackles per game and popping up on the scoresheet regularly. His tenacious pressing and clever ball retention in midfield is a major component of Enzo Maresca’s system.
3 Declan Rice – Arsenal
A lot of the work Rice does at the Emirates Stadium may go unnoticed, but the England international has been superb once again. Adding end product to his game over the last 12 months, he was on the scoresheet with a stunning header in the win at Burnley before a solid display against Sunderland.
2 Gabriel Magalhaes – Arsenal
The Brazil international is perhaps the favourite to win the PFA Player of the Year crown, dominating at the back and a constant threat in the opposition penalty area at set pieces.
He was however a little slow to react as Sunderland’s Brian Brobbey nipped in front of both him and David Raya at the Stadium of Light, which loses him the top spot this week.
1 Erling Haaland – Man City
Relegated to second place after his blank in the 1-0 defeat at Villa, Haaland is still absolutely unstoppable and returns to the throne with another goal against Liverpool, taking the Norwegian to 14 in just 11 top flight games this term.