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The 2021-22 edition of the Premier League has been an exhilarating one. While Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea were the early pacesetters, Manchester City and Liverpool are currently leading the title race.
Many teams replenished their rosters in the summer and in the recently concluded winter transfer window. Some new players hit the ground running, while a few experienced campaigners continued from where they left off the previous season.
Despite expensive summer outlays, Manchester United and Arsenal are only in the reckoning for a top-four finish. Meanwhile, Newcastle United splurged in January as they seek to avoid the drop.
Many players in the English top flight have played key roles for their teams this season, despite being linked with moves away. On that note, here's a look at the five outfield players with the most minutes in the Premier League this season:
#5 Joao Cancelo - 1968
Joao Cancelo is one of the best attacking full-backs in the Premier League at the moment.
Since his €65 million move from Juventus in the summer of 2019, the 27-year-old has been a key cog in the Manchester City juggernaut. He had a slow start to life in the English top flight, making only 17 top-flight appearances in his debut campaign.
However, Cancelo played a key role in City's Premier League-winning campaign last season, contributing two goals and three assists. He has already bettered those numbers this campaign.
Cancelo has racked up a goal and five assists in 28 games as City seek their fourth league title in five years.
Heaping praise on his full-back, manager Pep Guardiola said:
"We struggled when he arrived, we did not agree on many things, partly because of my mistakes, but now I’m delighted he’s fully happy and can play here for the next seasons.
"He can play in many positions, can play every day, physicality, he's so funny and loved in the locker room. Joao is fully happy right now, he wants to play every game and that's all."
Cancelo will hope to continue his blistering form as City remain in contention for a continental treble.
#4 Tyrick Mitchell - 1971
Tyrick Mitchell is one of the most exciting young full-backs in the English top flight. Still only 21, he has already racked up 45 Premier League appearances, with almost half of them (22) coming this campaign.
Unlike some of his more enterprising attacking full-back colleagues, Mitchell is more old-school. That is evident in his tally of one goal and two assists in the league.
However, Mitchell excels in his primary duties like few else. This season, the Crystal Palace youngster has won more tackles than anybody else in the English top flight.
To ward off potential suitors, Palace tied down their young left-back with a new deal that would keep him at the club until 2025. Palace chairman Steve Parish said about his prized asset:
"This shows once again how our academy can attract the very best young talent and develop them into first-team players. Tyrick’s progress is an immense source of pride for our club and academy."
Currently valued at €14 million, Mitchell is touted to have a great career with club and country.
#3 Declan Rice - 1980
Declan Rice is widely regarded as one of the finest defensive midfielders in the game, especially in the English top flight.
Still only 23, the Englishman has already racked up over 150 appearances in the competition, becoming the youngest West Ham player to accomplish the feat.
Rice has contributed six goals and eight assists in the competition, with one of those strikes and four assists coming in 23 games this campaign.
Many top clubs, especially those from the Premier League, are monitoring the player. The Euro 2020 finalist, currently valued at €75 million, is unlikely to be let go by West Ham for cheap, though.
#4 Pontus Jannson - 2062
Pontus Jansson has been a standout performer for Brentford in his maiden Premier League campaign.
The 30-year-old Sweden international has hit the ground running, having racked up 23 appearances in the competition. A regular in the Bees' rearguard, Jansson has also contributed up front, bagging a goal and an assist.
However, with the Brentford captain's contract expiring this summer, he is on the radar of many Premier League clubs.
With the Bees perilously close to the drop zone, it remains to be seen if the Swede will move on to a bigger club.
#1 Antonio Rudiger - 2070
Antonio Rudiger is widely regarded as one of the best goalscoring centre-backs in the game at the moment.
The Chelsea man has been immense for his club, especially in the Premier League. He has racked up over 100 appearances, contributing eight goals and three assists, with four of them (two goals, two assists) coming in 23 games this season.
Despite being a key player for Thomas Tuchel, the 28-year-old is in the final six months of his contract at Stamford Bridge.
There has been an impasse between player and club over an extension, as the Blues are unwilling to offer the kind of wages Rudiger is asking for. However, Rudiger is not short of suitors, something Tuchel is mindful of.
The German international will hope to help Chelsea go deep in the Champions League and mount an unlikely Premier League title challenge.
