'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
This year might go down as one of the most memorable years in the history of the Premier League. We witnessed an intriguing title race between Liverpool and Manchester City, and while many of the top sides failed to live up to their billing, some newly-promoted sides performed way above expectations.
We also got to witness the first all-English Champions League final since 2008, which shows that the English sides have made up ground on the rest of Europe.
The Premier League has always been blessed with top quality players, which makes it one of the best leagues in Europe. However, the crop of players this year has been the best the country has witnessed in more than a decade.
On that note, we pick the top 5 performers in the Premier League this calendar year:
Also read: Top 10 players who will be free agents next summer
#5 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal)
Ever since his arrival at Arsenal last year, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been one of the most consistent players in the Premier League. In his first full season with Arsenal, the 30-year-old striker finished as the league's top scorer with 22 goals alongside Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, and also carried his side to the Europa League final.
The striker possesses incredible pace and skills on the ball. Moreover, he is extremely lethal in front of goal and doesn't need too many opportunities to score.
Despite the Gunners struggling for form on the pitch this season, the Gabonese marksman has continued his terrific form in front of goal and has netted 28 times this calendar year, which includes 10 goals in the league this season.
Aubameyang has been a pivotal figure for the Gunners this season, and their position in the league table could have been a whole lot worse without his goals.
#4 Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
Nobody would have thought Raheem Sterling would be among the best footballers in the world a couple of years ago. However, ever since the arrival of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, the 24-year-old has been playing to the best of his abilities.
The Englishman has been among the league's top scorers despite being mostly deployed as a winger. Sterling has scored 30 goals this calendar year, which includes 8 goals in the league this season.
The winger possesses incredible pace and control on the ball, which makes him extremely difficult to defend against. His finishing, which used to be a weakness a couple of years ago, has drastically improved and makes him almost unplayable at times.
The 24-year-old helped his side win four major honours this year and will be eyeing the Champion League this time around.
Also read: 5 players who left Arsenal to find success
#3 Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)
Jamie Vardy has been a revelation in the Premier League this year. The 32-year-old striker has benefited hugely from the appointment of Brendon Rodgers as the new Leicester City manager; he has outscored every other player in the league since the former Liverpool and Celtic manager took over the reins of the club.
The shift from possession-based football under Claude Puel to a fast-paced, counter-attacking style under Rodgers has helped the striker return to his best. The English hitman has scored 26 goals this calendar year and currently sits top of the Premier League goalscoring charts this season with 14 goals.
His form in front of goal has turned the Foxes into title challengers this season, as they currently sit second in the league with 35 points. Vardy has been in the form of his life this season; if he continues his goalscoring run going into next year, there is a huge possibility that the Foxes could end this season with a piece of silverware alongside Champions League football next season.
#2 Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
Very few will disagree that Sadio Mane is currently the most exciting forward to watch in world football. The 27-year-old winger has been amongst the best in the Premier League for the past few years and is finally getting the recognition he deserves.
Mane offers everything on the pitch - incredible pace, great movement, creativity - and regularly chips in with important goals for his side. The Senegalese international was a pivotal figure in Liverpool's Champions League title run last season and has been their best player by far this season.
Mane has been in terrific form in front of goal this calendar year and has netted 30 goals for his club, which includes 9 goals in the league this season. The winger finished 4th in this year's Ballon d'Or rankings, and many would argue he deserved to be higher on the list given his performances on the pitch.
Also read: Top 3 forwards in the world based on current form
#1 Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Virgil van Dijk has arguably been the best signing of the decade in the Premier League. Since his arrival last year, the centre-back has transformed an average Liverpool side into one of the best sides in Europe.
The 28-year-old has been exceptional this calendar year. He carried his side to Champions League glory last season, and it looks like he might help his team win their first-ever Premier League title this time around.
Given his performances, the Dutch defender was among the favourites to win this year's Ballon d'Or. However, he fell just seven votes short of Lionel Messi and finished second behind the Argentine.
Van Dijk is the epitome of the modern centre-back and has got everything at his disposal. The Dutchman possesses incredible pace and physicality along with great composure on the ball. On top of that, he provides leadership on the pitch, which the Reds have lacked since the departure of Steven Gerrard.
