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#3. Michail Antonio, West Ham United
A career earned the "hard way," Michail Antonio rose through non-league football before plying his trade with a number of Championship and League One clubs. Having had an eye-catching 2015 campaign with Nottingham Forrest, winning the club's player of the year award earned him a fairytale move to West Ham United. Blessed with immense physical strength, natural aerial ability and blistering sprint speed, Antonio is an incredibly versatile footballer, having played in fullback and winger positions before settling on his role as a hard working forward. With 46 goals for the Hammers so far, he has established himself as a reliable fan favorite that epitomizes West Ham's hard working class background.
#2. James Maddison, Leicester City
Once of Norwich City, winning the club's Player of the year award and the EFL Championship's Young Player of the year award, James Maddison has become an established midfielder with Leicester City. Completing a move of around 20 million pounds in 2018 Maddison's star has risen to be one of the Premier central midfielders in the top flight. Maddison's technical ability surpasses many of his peers, and is a testament to the style of football that Daniel Farke's Norwich City have prided themselves on over the last few seasons.
Blessed with a sniper-like vision to thread passes and link up play, the 24 year old has become an all-action box-to-box midfielder. With Brendan Rodgers' team emphasizing control and possession, Maddison found it easy to replicate his Norwich City form and quickly became an established Premier League star
#1. John Stones, Manchester City
Signed as an 18 year old from Barnsley by Everton, John Stones is one of England's most skilled center backs. Fresh from being a European runner-up for both club and country, the stylish center back has silenced doubters and critics alike with his resilience to return to form.
Identified by Pep Guardiola as a vital part of his possession-based football, John Stones' comfort on the ball, dribbling ability and confidence were all key factors in his 50 million pound move from Everton to Manchester City. Having been in and out of the Manchester City team since 2016, Stones endured a difficult period where his basic defensive ability was questioned by many, having been displaced by Aymeric Laporte. The 27 year old has rekindled his defensive form, forming a part of Manchester City's airtight defensive setup in 2020/21 conceding a mere 32 goals in a title-winning campaign and drawing comparisons with the likes of Rio Ferdinand for his "total football" approach to playing centre back.
