Players of the season list: Gabriel Jesus main man despite being outscored
Gabriel Jesus misses chances but he offers a whole lot more, while Man Utd’s man is not Marcus Rashford and Liverpool need this man back.
Here’s every side’s best player so far according to WhoScored’s ratings, ruling out those who have played fewer than 600 minutes.
Arsenal: Gabriel Jesus – 7.53
He misses rather a lot of chances but the Brazilian is awful busy – taking shots, dribbling past players and winning more headers than he really should. Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard have all scored more but Jesus reigns supreme.
Aston Villa: Ollie Watkins – 6.96
Three double-figure Premier League seasons from three attempts from Watkins, who is thriving under actual football coach Unai Emery.
Bournemouth: Philip Billing – 6.91
Seven Premier League goals is a phenomenal effort from a midfielder who is not averse to putting his head where it hurts too.
Brentford: Ivan Toney – 7.31
Eighteen Premier League goals in just 28 games. Was it ever going to be anybody else?
Brighton: Solly March – 7.37
Scores, creates, tackles, works damned hard. While other Seagulls were linked with moves away, Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi believes March is in the same bracket: “Mac Allister, Caicedo? All people understand Mac Allister and Caicedo are two big players and I would like the people to understand that March too is a big player.”
Chelsea: Reece James – 7.13
So good that Real Madrid want him and think they can get him. His chance creation stats are not spectacular but he is probably the best all-round right-back in the Premier League.
Crystal Palace: Michael Olise – 6.92
That’s what having a three-assist game v Leeds will do. As well as creating links to Arsenal.
Everton: James Tarkowski – 6.91
Even before Sean Dyche turned up to get the old band back together, Tarkowski was sticking his head on whatever was hurled towards the Everton box.
Fulham: Aleksandar Mitrovic – 7.15
Crucially did not get his red card in the Premier League so beats Bernd Leno to top spot here.
Leeds United: Pascal Struijk – 6.82
One of the low-key successes of Jesse Marsch’s doomed tenure was Struijk’s conversion into a decent left-back who is defensively stout while still being comfortable on the ball. Two goals and an assist help the algorithm too.
Leicester City: James Maddison – 7.18
The only assist he has made in his last three Premier League appearances was for Bournemouth. That is not ideal but relegated or not, he will get a big move in the summer.
Liverpool: Luis Diaz – 7.28
In a sea of at-best mediocrity, Diaz has been less culpable than most. He conjured three goals and two assists from just seven Premier League starts and Liverpool have missed him terribly.
Manchester City: Kevin de Bruyne – 7.60
The man with 14 assists edges out the man with 30 goals.
Manchester United: Bruno Fernandes – 7.31
Five goals and six assists this season for Bruno, the team skipper if not yet the club captain. Edges out Casemiro and Marcus Rashford.
Newcastle United: Kieran Trippier – 7.54
Bruno Guimaraes might want a word but Trippier plays in the Premier League’s meanest defence while simultaneously creating chance upon chance. What a signing for a club forcing talk of a Big Seven sooner than expected.
Nottingham Forest: Felipe – 7.15
Makes a lot of clearances, heads a lot of balls. That won’t keep Forest in the Premier League, mind.
Southampton: James Ward-Prowse – 6.96
Who else?
Tottenham: Harry Kane – 7.49
Just the 23 Premier League goals this season and still no chance of winning the Golden Boot. He will have to console himself with other landmarks and records.
West Ham: Declan Rice – 6.98
Just one Premier League goal since mid-October as West Ham have slumped. But Rice is still going about his job of winning the ball in the middle of the pitch. It will likely earn him a move to Arsenal.
Wolves: Ruben Neves – 6.99
Finally seems to be getting a bit of help from his teammates but it must annoy the hell out of him that’s his teammate Matheus Nunes attracting Liverpool interest.
