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As an extraordinary year winds down, football continues to acts as a balm for many. While there is no denying that football has been affected financially due to the coronavirus pandemic, the games have gone on in empty stadiums, much to the relief on many.
The Premier League continues to be the most exciting league in the world. Liverpool were deserved champions last time around, and this season there have been curveballs thrown in terms of results not many expected.
Football continues to be an exciting event in a world curtailed by the pandemic, and players continue to dazzle and impress. The Premier League boasts of some of the best players in world football and they have justified that tag with their performances.
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On that note, here are the ten best players in the Premier League ranked based on their performances in 2020.
#10 Jack Grealish, Aston Villa
A highly regarded player even during his youth football days, 2020 has seen Jack Grealish establish himself as one of the best players in the Premier League.
A product of the Aston Villa youth academy, Grealish's talent was never in question. However, certain off-the-field incidents cast a shadow, but the 25-year old has shrugged it off to become Aston Villa's captain and talisman. The creative hub of Aston Villa, Grealish has also added goals to his game.
The England international was heavily linked with Manchester United in the summer but signed a new deal with Aston Villa. Capable of playing on the wings or in midfield, it remains to be seen whether Villa will be able to hold on to their most important player for long if he continues to play the way he does.
#9 Jordan Henderson, Liverpool
From nearly leaving Liverpool to join Fulham to lifting the Premier League trophy as the Liverpool captain, Jordan Henderson's life has changed dramatically.
The 30-year old-joined Liverpool from Sunderland in 2011 for £16 million, and a season later was close to joining Fulham. However, the midfielder toiled, with his consistent performances and leadership abilities seeing him eventually succeed Steven Gerrard as the Liverpool captain.
Henderson was one of Liverpool's key players as they won the Champions League two seasons ago. That influence did not wain as the Reds romped to Premier League success, with the England international's passing and leadership from the middle vital to Jurgen Klopp's side.
#8 Jamie Vardy, Leicester City
For some time it has been suggested that Leicester City should invest in a young striker to replace Jamie Vardy in the long run, but the veteran striker's consistent form in front of goal has suggested otherwise.
The Foxes bought Islam Slimani and later a young Kelechi Iheanacho to provide competition to Vardy, but both players have failed to replace him. The 33-year-old continues to score goals for fun, leading Leicester City's line with aplomb and earning praise for his finishing and sharpness.
The England international won the Premier League Golden Boot last season after scoring 23 goals in 35 appearances. While he is the side's primary penalty-taker, his predatory instinct in front of goal remains world-class.
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#7 Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool
Arguably the best right-back in world football right now, Trent Alexander-Arnold continues to prove his excellence on a consistent basis.
The 22-year-old is a product of the Liverpool youth academy, climbing up the ranks to make his debut in 2016. Under Jurgen Klopp's management, Alexander-Arnold has become lethal offensively, with his creativity and passing ability leading to calls to play him in midfield.
The England international, alongside left-back Andrew Robertson, is a vital cog in Liverpool's attacks, with the midfield playing a more subdued role due to their ability to bomb forward and deliver a perfect cross or a pass.
#6 Sadio Mane, Liverpool
One of the best wingers in world football right now, Sadio Mane has enjoyed a stellar career at Liverpool so far.
Mane joined Liverpool from Southampton in 2016 for £34 million, with manager Jurgen Klopp a fan since he was the manager of Borussia Dortmund. The 28-year-old immediately became a key player for Liverpool, with his pace and dribbling becoming symbolic with the way Klopp wanted his side to play.
Last season, the Senegal international scored 18 goals in 35 Premier League appearances as Liverpool won the Premier League title and has had a good season so far, scoring four goals in 12 appearances.
#5 Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United
It is not pleasant to imagine what Manchester United would have endured had they not signed Bruno Fernandes in January this year.
Linked with the Red Devils for quite some time, Fernandes joined Manchester United from Sporting CP for £47 million in the winter transfer window. Such was his impact during the second half of the season that he ended up winning the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award.
The 26-year-old is now regarded as Manchester United's most important player, with his creativity from midfield and his ability to consistently score goals often the difference between a win and a loss.
#4 Son Heung-min, Tottenham Hotspur
Alongside the likes of Mane and Mohamed Salah, Son Heung-Min is among the best wingers in the world at the moment.
While Harry Kane continues to be talisman for Spurs, Son is arguably equally important for the side. The South Korea international has been in sensational form this season and has rescued Spurs from difficult situations several times.
The 28-year-old has formed a potent attacking partnership with Kane under the management of Jose Mourinho. Having scored 11 goals in 30 games last time around, Son has 11 goals already this season in 13 games.
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#3 Mohamed Salah, Liverpool
Liverpool have some of the best players in the world right now, and Mohamed Salah is arguably the jewel in their crown.
His £38 million from Roma to Liverpool in 2017 raised eyebrows, as his previous Premier League experience with Chelsea had not gone well. However, the 28-year-old proved to be the perfect player for Jurgen Klopp's system, scoring 32 Premier League goals in his first season.
Salah has not looked back since then, continuously posting consistent goalscoring numbers. Last season, he scored 19 goals in 34 games as Liverpool won the Premier League title. This season he is on track to surpass that, having scored 11 goals in 12 games.
#2 Harry Kane, Tottenham Hotspur
There were some worries under the management of Mauricio Pochettino that Harry Kane's persistent injury issues had resulted in a decline.
Under Mourinho, however, the England international looks rejuvenated. His partnership with Son Heung-Min has been pivotal this season as Spurs sit second in the league table, and he looks to be back to his very best after a good rest during the lockdown period.
The 27-year-old's evolution into a creator has been good to witness. Kane has scored nine goals in 13 Premier League games this season, but has provided 10 assists as well; with Son the primary recipient. The England international is in frightening form and is truly back to being regarded as one of the best strikers in the world.
#1 Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City
Kevin De Bruyne was voted the Premier League Player of the Season for his performances last season, a well-deserved award for one of the best players in the world.
A fine playmaker, the Belgium international is Manchester City's most important player, with his creativity and passing from midfield as well as his low crosses key to the way Pep Guardiola's side play. Last season, he recorded 20 assists, matching Thierry Henry's record for most assists in a season.
With the departure of David Silva in the summer, there is increased pressure on the 29-year-old. De Bruyne has done well so far; in 10 Premier League starts, the Belgium international has recorded six assists and two goals.
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