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With just 6 games remaining for some sides, the 2018/19 edition of the Premier League is reaching ever-closer to its conclusion. The race for the title is down to two sides – Liverpool and Manchester City, who are almost impossible to split right now, while the other coveted positions in the top 4 are subject to a huge wrestling match between four sides – Tottenham, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea.
The Premier League might’ve taken an international break during March, but we’ve still seen some key games between the league’s strongest sides – and even relegation for Huddersfield Town – as well as some great and some not-so-great performances from the competition’s best players.
The players on this list have been tremendous all season, but some have really picked up their form in the past month.
As always, any players who haven’t played in at least 50% of their club’s minutes – 1305 minutes to be exact – are ineligible. And with all results being based on a formula that takes certain variables and individual statistics into account, reputation counts for nothing.
Here are the Premier League’s 10 best players for April 2019.
#10 Harry Kane – Score: 22.6 (=)
Tottenham have been in a real slump in the Premier League recently, picking up just 1 point in their last 5 games. That hasn’t really affected their superstar striker Harry Kane, however, as he’s continued to score goals despite his side’s overall struggles.
Most recently, Kane drew a blank against Liverpool, but he was able to find the net against Southampton, bringing his total this season to 17 goals in 27 games.
To climb this list though, Kane most likely needs to have more of an overall impact on games outside of his goals – he’s completed 29 key passes this season for instance, which puts him behind the likes of Raheem Sterling, Eden Hazard and Mohamed Salah. If he can do that, then not only will he climb the list, but Tottenham might hold onto 3rd position too.
#9 Paul Pogba – Score: 22.9 (-4)
Manchester United’s French midfielder Paul Pogba is this month’s biggest slider, as he’s gone from the #5 spot last month all the way down to #9 now. Why is that? Essentially, Pogba has largely failed to make an impact at all in United’s two Premier League games since the last update, as the overall form of the Red Devils has tailed off somewhat recently.
In the last update it was suggested that Pogba’s disciplinary levels would need to improve for him to rise up the list, but unfortunately for the Frenchman, he was then booked against Arsenal, picking up his 5th yellow card of the season.
You have to go back to the 9th of February for Pogba’s last Premier League goal – a brace against Fulham – and if United want to secure a Champions League spot for next season, it’s clear that the midfielder needs to improve from his recent showings.
#8 Harry Maguire – Score: 23.0 (+1)
It’s a bit of a surprise to see that Leicester’s central defender Harry Maguire has risen up the list this month – that’s because he was unfortunately sent off in the Foxes’ 1-2 victory over Burnley after just 4 minutes of the game. Prior to that though, Maguire was showing some excellent form under new boss Brendan Rodgers.
He was a key performer in Leicester’s 3-1 victory over Fulham, for instance, and his defensive stats remain second only to the imperious Virgil Van Dijk; Maguire has completed 26 tackles, 35 interceptions, 126 clearances and 16 blocks this season.
Throw in a high pass success rate – 84.5%, remarkably high for a defender in a non-top 6 side – and it’s easy to see why he’s so beloved by England boss Gareth Southgate and will likely become that way for Rodgers too, red card be damned.
#7 Mohamed Salah – Score: 23.1 (=)
Liverpool striker Mo Salah is one of a handful of non-movers on the list this month, as, despite his best efforts, he just can’t find the back of the net right now. Salah hasn’t scored a Premier League goal since February 9th, although he came very close in this weekend’s win over Tottenham and played a key part in Toby Alderweireld’s own goal.
The Egyptian hasn’t stopped trying, though – he’s now had a massive 109 shots on goal this season, more than any other player and even 12 more than Sergio Aguero, who is second in that category. His 17 goals mean that he averages a goal every 15 shots – which is a stat he’ll need to improve if he wants to rise up this list before 2018/19 is out.
#6 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Score: 24.8 (+2)
One of the highest risers on the list this month, Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang might’ve missed a penalty against Tottenham in March, but he also scored a key goal against Manchester United in the Gunners’ 2-0 win over their top 4 rivals, taking his tally this season to an impressive 17 goals – in line with Harry Kane, Sadio Mane and Mo Salah.
For a man known for being a speedy forward, Aubameyang is surprisingly impressive in other areas, too – he’s one of only two players on this list to not pick up a card this season, and he’s also completed 18 clearances – more than any other attacking player, showing that he’s more than willing to do his defensive duties, as well as score key goals for Unai Emery’s side - something that could propel them into one of those coveted Champions League spots, come May.
#5 Matt Doherty – Score: 26.0 (-1)
Wolves’ Matt Doherty was a surprise entry in this list last month, and although he’s slipped one spot this time, he still remains one of the Premier League’s most impressive defenders, with solid defensive statistics being backed up by 3 goals and 4 assists during his side’s maiden Premier League campaign after being promoted last season.
Doherty has added to his tally when it comes to tackles – he’s now completed 55, more than any other player in this top 10 – but he also picked up a booking in Wolves’ draw with Chelsea, which probably explains his drop from #4 to #5.
Still, as Wolves push for a European spot next season, Doherty should remain a key player – and could climb this list again yet if he can continue his good run of form - and avoid any more disciplinary issues.
#4 Raheem Sterling – Score: 27.0 (+2)
Given he’s being talked about as a potential candidate for the Player of the Year award, it’s no surprise to see Raheem Sterling of Manchester City climbing this list.
Sterling has moved up two spots from #6 to #4 this month and it’s largely his hat-trick against Watford on March 9th that’s helped him get there – he didn’t find the net this weekend against Fulham and sadly for him, international goals don’t count!
Sterling has been on tremendous form this season, and he’s now scored 15 and made 9 assists – meaning he’s been involved with more goals than anyone outside of Eden Hazard and Sergio Aguero in 2018/19.
Realistically it’s hard to see where he could improve as a player right now – and if Manchester City end up winning the league, his form will have played a massive part in their victory.
#3 Virgil Van Dijk – Score: 27.1 (=)
A non-mover at #3, Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk remains the Premier League’s most highly rated defender, and he has the statistics to back that status up, too.
The Dutchman has completed more clearances and more blocks than any other player, and averages a ridiculous amount of aerial duels per game – 4.6, the highest on this list by a substantial margin. He’s also only committed 12 fouls all season!
Van Dijk did make a rare error that led to a goal in Liverpool’s 1-2 victory over Fulham this month – a rare example of his focus slipping – but he was imperious against both Burnley and Tottenham, and is well deserving of his high ranking here. The Dutchman has simply been a rock for the Reds this season during their title challenge.
#2 Sergio Aguero – Score: 27.9 (=)
Despite the presence of Harry Kane, Mohamed Salah and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, it’s Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero who, statistically at least, remains the Premier League’s most lethal marksman. Aguero has now scored 19 goals in 32 games, essentially averaging a goal every 1.6 matches – a scary statistic.
Most recently he’s turned provider too though, as he both scored and made an assist in City’s most recent victory over Fulham. Could Aguero improve? I guess so – his conversion rate is lower than that of Raheem Sterling or Aubameyang, who take fewer shots per goal than the Argentine, but that’d be splitting hairs really as he scores so many goals regardless.
Overall Aguero is a fantastic striker and if City end up winning the Premier League title, it’ll once again be his goals that will have largely driven them there.
#1 Eden Hazard – Score: 28.2 (=)
And it’s no change at the top this month as statistically, Chelsea’s Eden Hazard remains the Premier League’s most effective player. It’s remarkable really given Chelsea’s struggles since the last update – they drew with Wolves, lost to Everton and struggled to beat lowly Cardiff – but Hazard has seemed unaffected, as he put on a Man of the Match display against Wolves and scored Chelsea’s late equaliser.
The strangest part? Despite some insane statistics – 77 key passes, the most of any player on this list, and 13 goals and 11 assists – Hazard was benched for the game with Cardiff and only came on for the last 37 minutes of the game.
Quite how much longer Chelsea can keep hold of their Belgian superstar is anyone’s guess – it probably depends on the future of boss Maurizio Sarri and whether Hazard is coveted by Real Madrid – but for now the Blues should probably thank themselves lucky to have him.
