Premier League 2018/19: 3 players who have dominated the league so far

Fulham FC v Burnley FC - Premier League
Fulham FC v Burnley FC - Premier League: Aleksandar Mitrovic

The International break is upon us and as the players look to join their national sides, managers will getting back to the drawing board to analyse their team's performances. The break offers a great chance for struggling teams to take stock of the situation and develop a new plan of action.

Liverpool, Chelsea and Watford have all made a perfect start and will perhaps feel that the break stalls their momentum. So while have two weeks off, we take a look at three players who have started the Premier League in scintillating fashion and look set to play important roles for their respective clubs.


#3 Aleksandar Mitrovic

The Fulham striker has scored four goals in as many games to start life in the Premier League on the right foot. Fulham lies 13th in the table after four games and have been one of the more exciting sides so far.

The Serbian has been one of the best players in the league initially. His combination of strength and positioning, not to mention his ability in the air has made him a valuable target man in the final third. Mitrovic has the ability to get in behind defenders and can hold up play efficiently as well, which allows the wingers to overload the flanks and stretch the opposition backline to great effect.

His physical nature enables him to be a constant nuisance for defenders, while the fact that Fulham are set up to cross the ball into the 18 yard box with every opportunity, should ensure that he maintains a consistent goal return. He does not possess extreme pace but makes up for it with tactical awareness. With Andre Schurrle and Jean-Michael Seri providing service, chances should not be too hard to come by.

Fulham has made a decent start to their life in the Premier League and Mitrovic will have to grab his chances and keep delivering the goals if they are to make a mark this season.

#2 Marcos Alonso

Chelsea FC v AFC Bournemouth - Premier League
Chelsea FC v AFC Bournemouth - Premier League - Marcos Alonso

Maurizio Sarri, in an interview after the game against Bournemouth, said that Alonso can become the best left back in the world if he improves the defensive side of his games.

Having scored one goal, won two penalties and assisted another two, Marcos Alonso’s stats could be mistaken for an attacking midfielder. The attack-minded full-back has been in devastating form to start the season.

He has formed a budding partnership with Hazard and Mateo Kovacic and his tireless running enable the creative players to get into central areas and cause havoc amongst defenders. He is always willing to make the overlapping runs and deliver inch-perfect crosses into the box. He also possesses a great left foot ,which comes in handy for set pieces.

Alonso has been guilty of venturing too far forward and losing his defensive shape, all things that can be worked on in the training ground. With a bit more positional awareness while working off the ball, Marcos Alonso would elevate his game to a whole new level and can indeed prove Sarri right and become the best player in his position.

#1 Sadio Mane

Crystal Palace v Liverpool FC - Premier League
Crystal Palace v Liverpool FC - Premier League - Sadio Mane

With Mohamed Salah grabbing all the preseason headlines for Liverpool, Sadio Mane has proven why he is the most important member of the Liverpool front three.

He has 4 goals so far and looks like a player on a mission every time he steps onto the field. He has been full of pace, tireless running and has worked on his tactical positioning to become a potent goal-scoring threat.

Mane is adept in drifting between the opposition defense to open up new passing channels and drag the defenders away from their positions. The open spaces are then exploited by the likes of Milner and Keita to venture forward and effectively create a five-man front line while attacking the goal.

His awareness in 1v1 situations is also not to be underestimated. His ability to create a bit a space for himself and get a shot away keeps the defense on their toes at all times. Not only has Mane been exceptional going forward, he is also not afraid of putting the work in defensively. He regularly tracks back while in transition and is not afraid to put the hard tackle in.

Sadio Mane has arguably been the best player in the league so far, and, if he can keep putting in displays like he has in the first few, this Liverpool juggernaut will be almost impossible to stop.

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