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The 2019-20 edition of the Premier League has been indifferent in the sense that the traditional top six, aside from Liverpool and Manchester City, have looked uncharacteristically off colour, leading to the likes of Wolves, Leicester City and Sheffield United amongst others to search for a spot in Europe.
While the usual suspects are still in the mix, teams you wouldn't necessarily associate with European football have made their presence felt in the English top-flight and could well compete in club football biggest competition next season. Several players outside the big six have enhanced their reputation in the current campaign and have played pivotal roles for their sides in reaching their goals - be it a spot in Europe, finishing mid-table or avoiding relegation.
Here, we take a look at 5 standout players outside the traditional top six who have made a name for themselves as some of the best players in the Premier League in their respective positions.
#5 James Maddison - Leicester City
Having made the move to the Premier League last season from Norwich City, James Maddison has followed up on a brilliant first season in the top-flight with a solid campaign this time around, as he has spearheaded Leicester City's charge for a spot in the UEFA Champions League, alongside Jamie Vardy.
The vibrant attacking midfielder is blessed with immense technical ability and long-range shooting, as he has established himself as one of the hottest attacking midfield talents in world football.
That aside, his dead-ball prowess makes him one of the most underrated matchwinners in the Premier League and his skill have been on show several times this season, as he has chipped in with nine goals and three assists in all competitions for the Foxes.
Maddison is all set to be called up for UEFA Euro 2020 by England manager Gareth Southgate and the 23-year-old has been linked with a big-money move to Manchester United, as he looks set to become a key player for club and country in the coming years.
#4 Dean Henderson - Sheffield United
Dean Henderson has been the standout player of this brave Sheffield United side, as Chris Wilder and co have taken the Premier League by storm this season with a combination of togetherness, a never say die attitude and a seemingly alien system involving overlapping centre-halves.
The English shot-stopper, who is on loan from Manchester United, spent the previous league campaign on loan at Bramall Lane and played a pivotal role in securing promotion for his side, after which his loan spell was extended for another year.
Only Nick Pope (11) and Alisson Becker (10) have registered more Premier League clean sheets than Henderson (9) this season and the young goalkeeper's shot-stopping ability is amongst the best in the country.
Henderson is well set to go to the European Championships in the summer and with David de Gea's position at Manchester United coming under immense scrutiny in recent weeks, he could well be the long-term heir to the Spaniard at Old Trafford.
#3 Raul Jimenez - Wolves
Raul Jimenez is one of the most underrated strikers in the Premier League currently and the Mexican hitman has been in sublime form for Wolves this season, with a staggering 22 goals and 10 assists across all competitions.
With Nuno Espirito Santo's side competing in the UEFA Europe League, Jimenez has led from the front and ensured that his side's league campaign would not be derailed by their European commitments, as he has exhibited stunning consistency levels since making his move permanent at the start of the season.
The 28-year-old's work-rate coupled with his movement off the ball makes him one of the most well-rounded strikers in the Premier League, as he continues to spearhead Wolves to new heights.
With the West Midlands side in contention to secure a spot in the UEFA Champions League next season, Jimenez will need to continue his rich vein of form between now and the end of the season, if Wolves are to grace the competition for the first time in the Premier League era.
Jimenez has been Wolves' Player of the Season without a doubt and has been one of the most reliable goalscorers in the country since initially joining on loan from Benfica last summer, as he's firmly established himself as a fan favourite at the Molineux.
#2 Jack Grealish - Aston Villa
Aston Villa skipper Jack Grealish has not only been one of the best players outside the top six this season, but also one of the best midfielders in the top flight despite plying his trade for a relegation-threatened side. The 24-year--old has really come of age in his second stint in the Premier League and has from the front, as he looks to drag his boyhood side out of a relegation scrap.
Renowned for his dribbling and ability to contribute on both ends of the pitch, Grealish has chipped in with 9 goals and 8 assists for the Villans this season and also led them to the EFL Cup final, as Villa eventually lost out to Manchester City at Wembley.
Grealish is one of the hottest properties in terms of attacking midfielders in the Premier League and although he hasn't been capped at senior level by England, there have been shouts that he should be in the squad for UEFA Euro 2020, which could well be the case.
The 24-year-old Birmingham born midfielder is reportedly a top target for Manchester United, as they look to add quality in the centre of the park and it remains likely that he will seal a big-money move away from Aston Villa at the end of the season, as he aims to take the next step in his career.
#1 Jamie Vardy - Leicester City
Having been etched in Premier League history for his exploits in Leicester City's title-winning season in 2016, Jamie Vardy has virtually replicated his numbers from the Foxes' historic season, as they look to return to the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2017.
With 17 goals and 6 assists across all competitions, Vardy's stunning form has put Brendan Rodgers and co on the brink of European football and the 33-year-old is currently the joint top scorer in the Premier League, alongside Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Despite being on the wrong end of 30, Vardy's age has not taken a toll on his body, as he continues to defy the odds and take the top flight by storm. He is so often the man who pops up with a big moment when the Foxes need a hero and looks set to continue dazzling in the Premier League for many years to come, having shown no signs of slowing down.
Vardy has been the best player outside the traditional top six yet again and it remains to be seen if he wins the Premier League Golden Boot ahead of illustrious names like Sergio Aguero, Mohamed Salah and Aubameyang, amongst others.
