BIG DEBATE So, who has been the best this season?
PEP GUARDIOLA hailed Phil Foden as the best player in the Premier League after his double helped shoot down Manchester United in Sunday’s derby.
But is Foden really the division’s best player this season? We asked the Mirror Football team who they think has been the standout player so far.
DAVID MCDONNELL -
Pep Guardiola is spot on – Phil Foden has been the Premier League’s best player this season. His Manchester City teammate Erling Haaland may have scored more goals – 27 to Foden’s 18 – but the England star has been their most consistent performer, keeping them on course for a repeat of last season’s historic Treble. His derby-winning display was underpinned by a remorseless work ethic off the ball. Goals, assists and a relentless workrate – Foden has become the complete player at the age of just 23 and has developed into one of the best players in Europe, not just the Premier League.
JOHN CROSS - Rodri
My vote will be from Rodri, Phil Foden or Virgil van Dijk. Maybe even Declan Rice at a stretch.
Sorry to sit on the fence. But I always want to choose from the champions and my current favourite is Rodri. He is having an incredible season. He is closely followed by Foden who is having the season of his life. Van Dijk would be the choice for Liverpool. He’s a symbol of the team which is trying to ensure Jurgen Klopp finishes his career at Anfield in great style. Similarly, I think Rice has been brilliant at Arsenal and he would be my choice if they do it. I’ll leave it as late as possible. Erling Haaland was such an obvious winner last year but it’s so open this time.
NEIL MOXLEY - Ollie Watkins
Ollie Watkins just shades it over Virgil van Dijk - although there’s no denying that Phil Foden keeps dragging Manchester City out of sticky situations – always the sign of a quality performer. But Watkins is second in the goalscoring charts by two goals to Erling Haaland, and with more than 10 assists in the Premier League, he’s been chiefly responsible for finding the goals that enabled Villa to maintain their push for the Champions League. Van Dijk’s importance to Liverpool may weigh heavily come the end of the season. But it’s always been easier to destroy than
create and that, for me, gives Watkins the edge.
SIMON BIRD -
Ollie Watkins
Which player, above all others, has made things happen at the highest level for their club in the league, and been a huge part of their season so far? He may not be challenging for titles and cups, but I’d go for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins. He’s having a dynamite campaign and confirming himself as one of Europe’s best… and England’s successor to Harry Kane. Watkins is second in the Premier League goal-scoring charts with 16, just two behind Erling Haaland. And he’s also equal top of the assist charts, with Pascal Gross and Kieran Trippier, on 10. Pace, finishing power, movement, Watkins is a torment to rival clubs.
DAVID ANDERSON -
Virgil van Dijk As impressive as Phil Foden’s stats are, Virgil van Dijk is a more worthy shout as Player of the Year. Foden is having a fantastic season, but he’s playing for a brilliant team with so many outstanding supporting members. Van Dijk has revelled in captaining Liverpool since Jordan Henderson left and makes everyone around him better. Van Dijk is playing as well as ever and has that wonderful blend of character, experience and ability.
He doesn’t just score goals, he scores huge goals and is the main reason why Liverpool have the second best defence in the Premier League, better even than Manchester City’s.
ANDY DUNN -
Before a rare injury lay-off, Mohamed Salah was building yet another case for the top individual honours and if he returns and inspires Liverpool to multiple trophies, he could be the season’s main man. Virgil van Dijk has been consistently excellent. But defenders seldom get awards So at the moment, my vote would be for an unassuming striker whose contribution to his team’s efforts this season is unrivalled.
Sixteen goals and 10 assists in 27 Premier League matches is a remarkable return from Ollie Watkins.