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The 2019/20 edition of the Premier League is well underway and the 28th season of the English top-flight has already witnessed its fair share of drama. Liverpool are six points clear at the top of the Premier League after 11 matchdays and the Reds will look to keep their lead intact, as they host Manchester City in a potential title-decider next weekend.
Although it could be argued that Chelsea's academy stars are having a breakthrough season by virtue of their transfer ban, the likes of Fikayo Tomori and Mason Mount have come through the ranks this season for the Blues.
The promoted sides always tend to produce gems and the trend has continued this season, with the emergence of Todd Cantwell and Teemu Pukki. Pukki became the Premier League's newest goalscoring sensation and although the Finland international has slowed down recently, he took the English top-flight by storm in the opening weeks of the season.
Liverpool took emergency action in the closing stages of the transfer window to fill the void left by Simon Mignolet, who left to join Club Brugge with the view of playing regular first-team football. The reigning European champions opted to sign Adrian, who was a free agent after leaving West Ham United in the summer.
The Spaniard was given an unexpected debut after Alisson Becker injured his thigh in the opening game of the season, an opportunity he grabbed with both hands. Adrian's sensational showing between the sticks allowed the Brazilian shot-stopper to rehabilitate at his own pace and Liverpool won every game with the former West Ham man between the sticks.
Aside from the honourable mentions mentioned above, we've shortlisted five players who've played starring roles for their respective sides in the Premier League this season.
#5 Aaron Ramsdale - AFC Bournemouth
Aaron Ramsdale's emergence has been a pleasant surprise for Bournemouth this season and the Englishman is the undisputed No.1 between the sticks for the Cherries. Mark Travers looked set to take over the reins from Asmir Begovic but Ramsdale was given the nod in pre-season and the 21-year-old hasn't looked back since.
The life of a top-flight goalkeeper is anything but plain sailing but Ramsdale has adapted seamlessly to the glitz and glamour of the Premier League. The former Sheffield United man has been on the top of his game and was recently rewarded with a new long-term contract for his exemplary performances this season.
Ramsdale made a series of key saves as the Cherries registered a morale-boosting 1-0 victory against Manchester United at the Vitality Stadium and has registered shutouts in his last three Premier League games. Alongside Dean Henderson, Ramsdale is one of the most exciting young keepers in the division and will look to carry on performing at the highest level, as he aims for a spot in Gareth Southgate's squad for the Euros next year.
Also check out:EPL fixtures EPL table Premier League
#4 John McGinn - Aston Villa
John McGinn has been one of the standout players for Aston Villa this season and formed a formidable partnership with Jack Grealish in the centre of the park. The Scotland international was linked with a big-money move to Manchester United this summer and it's not hard to see why some of the biggest clubs in the Premier League could be interested in acquiring his services next summer.
McGinn's drive and tenacity from midfield has seen him establish himself as one of the key players of Dean Smith's side and the 25-year-old is the only player in the Premier League to register a minimum of 20 shots, fouls won, tackles made and take ons completed.
The Scotsman's goal threat coupled with his terrific box-to-box ability makes him the complete package in midfield and his form will be crucial to Villa's survival hopes. McGinn has been one of the standout midfielders season and if Villa manage to avoid the drop, he could be lined up by some of the biggest clubs in the country.
#3 Caglar Soyuncu - Leicester City
It's safe to say that Harry Maguire's world-record move to Manchester United has proved to be a blessing in disguise for Leicester City, at least for the time being. Caglar Soyuncu made the move to the King Power Stadium last summer but was made to wait on the sidelines for a place in the side, as the likes of Maguire and Jonny Evans were ahead of him in the pecking order.
Since being drafted into the first team, the Turkish international has been one of the breakthrough stars in the Premier League this season and has formed a formidable partnership in the heart of the Leicester City defence alongside Evans.
Soyuncu doesn't shy away from challenges and the former Freiburg man's physique is tailor-made for the English top-flight. He has started every Premier League game for the Foxes this season and has played a pivotal role in their push for a Champions League spot.
In recent seasons, Leicester City have developed a reputation of approaching the transfer market with fair caution and unearthing gems at a bargain price. It appears that their strategy has bore fruit once again, with the emergence of Soyuncu.
#2 Daniel James - Manchester United
Manchester United spent in the excess of £100 million this summer on three additions and Daniel James was considered to be an unknown commodity. The signings of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire in big-money deals took the limelight away from the Welshman but the youngster has proved that he's more than capable of handling the step up between the Championship and the Premier League.
Since making the move from Swansea City, James impressed in pre-season for the Red Devils and has gone on to establish himself as an indispensable member of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's set-up. Aside from his electric pace, the 21-year-old's work-rate and his ability to make the right decision more often than not has seen him become one of the key players for the Old Trafford outfit this season.
James has registered 3 goals and 3 assists in all competitions this season and has been one of the bright sparks in an otherwise underwhelimg season for the record English champions.
The £19 million transfer fee paid to acquire his services from Swansea City in the Championship looks a bargain now and James' form will be instrumental if the Red Devils are to get their league campaign back on track.
#1 Tammy Abraham - Chelsea
Chelsea were slapped with a transfer ban this summer and Tammy Abraham was one of the biggest beneficiaries of the Blues' inability to bolster their squad in the transfer window. Abraham has been on Chelsea's books since the age of seven and the youngster was finally afforded the opportunity to lead the line for his side, a chance he took readily.
After being shipped off on loan to a whole host of clubs in the Championship as well as the Premier League, Frank Lampard placed his trust in him and the 22-year-old hasn't looked back since. His impressive tally of 10 goals and 3 assists in all competitions makes for impressive reading and in many ways, Chelsea's transfer ban has proved to be a blessing in disguise.
Abraham's goalscoring form for his club has seen him earn a recall to the England squad and the youngster has established himself as an indispensable member of Lampard's team. The academy graduate doesn't have any glaring weaknesses to his game and boasts a goalscoring record that is only bettered by Sergio Aguero, so far, in the Premier League.
