As 2021 draws to a close, Telegraph Sport has ranked the Premier League's 30 best players. Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea (perhaps unsurprisingly) dominate the list - but who comes out on top?
30. Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)
29. Reece James (Chelsea)
28. Ederson (Manchester City)
27. Jack Grealish (Manchester City)
26. Alisson (Liverpool)
25. Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
24. Son Heung-min (Tottenham)
23. Diogo Jota (Liverpool)
22. Edouard Mendy (Chelsea)
21. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
20. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Obviously it has been a hard year for van Dijk who missed much of it through a serious knee injury. He is still working his way back – hence he is not higher in the rankings – but he has made a difference to Liverpool’s defence and performed impressively given how long he was out. But his mere presence alone makes them better.
19. Mason Mount (Chelsea)
It is fair to say that Mount, a favourite under Frank Lampard, had to win Thomas Tuchel around – which he quickly did. His dynamism and intelligence is crucial to how Chelsea play and he also is versatile enough to play in a number of positions. Only Mohamed Salah is producing a goal or an assist more frequently than Mount this season.
18. Fabinho (Liverpool)
The Brazilian is the prime example of a player whose true value becomes apparent in his absence. Liverpool’s midfield is just not the same without ‘The Lighthouse’ – as he is known – patrolling it and he did not do a bad job filling in at centre-half last season. The problem was how badly the midfield suffered.
17. Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
It looked like Sterling was out of favour at Manchester City, especially after the signing of Jack Grealish and with doubts persisting over whether he would stay. But he has made a powerful impact since his return, with six goals in 10 games, and it should not be forgotten how vital he was for England’s run to the final of Euro 2020.
16. Thiago Silva (Chelsea)
At 37 the Brazilian remains an absolute Rolls-Royce of a defender. A classy, composed and commanding presence who undoubtedly benefits from Thomas Tuchel’s switch to three-at-the-back. There are some games where he is almost untouchable and he is also a goal threat. He has been a brilliant free transfer for Chelsea and is set to sign on for another season. Why not?
15. Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City)
The German midfielder has wonderful understated qualities with his passing, game intelligence and maturity. He has also added goals and it was his amazing run of scoring – 11 goals in 12 league games – that proved so decisive in Manchester City winning the title last season. His importance has been underlined as he has assumed the captaincy.
14. Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea)
The expectation when the striker signed for nearly £100million from Inter Milan was that he would be the goal machine to propel Chelsea. Through a combination of injury and loss of form it has not quite happened yet but no-one is denying Lukaku’s pedigree and prowess. He was Serie A’s best player and can be that in the Premier League.
13. Joao Cancelo (Manchester City)
The development of the Portugal international from a right-back to the epitome of the modern, play-making left full-back who can step into midfield has been a feature of the past two campaigns. Now Cancelo is adding more goals and assists to his game although there should also be recognition of how, on the other flank, Kyle Walker’s recovery runs allow him licence.
12. Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea)
It has been quite a year for the German international who began it as something of an outcast and ends it as the world’s most in-demand defender given he is in the final year of his contract. Chelsea are desperate to tie him down but he has options and his dynamic, athletic style has caught the eye.
11. Ruben Dias (Manchester City)
Few players have had such a transformative impact on their team’s defence as Dias. He is not just Manchester City’s main centre-half but also a leader and, at 24, a captain-in-waiting. City look to him to provide the stability and calmness at the back that they lacked before his arrival. He is also very, very consistent.
10. Harry Kane (Tottenham)
It has been a troubling campaign for Kane who only now appears to be getting over the disappointment of not getting his summer move to Manchester City. Just two league goals is a terrible return given who he is but do not forget he finished last with the Golden Boot as top-scorer and also as the Premier League’s leading assist-maker. It would be no surprise if he still finished among the league’s top scorers.
9. Phil Foden (Manchester City)
The 21-year-old is a generational talent who has been wonderfully developed by Pep Guardiola. He has it all and can be anything he wants to be in the game. There is concern at his occasional shows of immaturity of the pitch and it would be a tragedy if he does not fulfil his talent because he can become an all-time great.
8. N’Golo Kante (Chelsea)
When fit the France international remains a phenomenon – as was seen in the Champions League final. There are jokes about the ‘Kante twins’ because, such is his ability to get around the pitch, it sometimes feels like there are two of him out there. His injury record is a concern but he is simply irreplaceable for club and country.
7. Declan Rice (West Ham)
There may be surprise at just how high the West Ham captain is in the rankings but is there a better midfielder in the Premier League right now? The 22-year-old continues to make huge improvements and is becoming more of an attacking force, adding goals. He is his club’s main man and driving force and a key player for England.
6. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
If he had been fully fit – and he has complained of suffering from long Covid as well as injuries – De Bruyne would be challenging at the very top of this list. The Belgian is a world-class midfielder who can do it all with a superb range of passing, an ability to control games and an eye for goal. This season has been a struggle but he is still class.
5. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
It has been a tough campaign at Manchester United and while the arguments continue as to whether or not they would be better off without Ronaldo, given the style of play Ralf Rangnick wants to implement, one of the greatest ever players the world has seen continues to score: 18 goals in 23 appearances for club and country this season including 13 for United. At the age of 36.
4. Jorginho (Chelsea)
There was a genuine debate, given his achievements in being part of teams that won the Champions League and the European Championship, as to whether the holding midfielder deserved to win the Ballon D’Or. Undoubtedly, though, he has proven his worth at Chelsea where he has emphatically won over sceptical supporters who were unsure as to what he brought to the team. They have no doubts now.
3. Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
Not so long ago questions were asked as to whether Mane and Mohamed Salah got along. Now there is no doubt. Their combination play is remarkable and although Mane does not always gain the headlines he passed 100 Liverpool career goals this season and his dynamic style of play fits perfectly for them. After all he was Jurgen Klopp’s first big signing.
2. Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
The return of Bernardo has been remarkable. Pep Guardiola disclosed the attacking midfielder wanted out of Manchester City in the summer, Atletico Madrid did not offer enough and now he is probably City’s most important player. “The best (in the Premier League at the moment),” is how Guardiola describes the 27-year-old Portugal international and he has stepped up.
1. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Not just the best player in the Premier League at present but probably the best player in the world. The 29-year-old Liverpool forward is posting extraordinary numbers. With 15 goals and nine assists in the Premier League he is on track to break the record for goal contributions in a season and his all-round game has progressed to such a level that he is among the best of the best.
