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#6 N'Golo Kante | Chelsea
N'Golo Kante hasn't looked back after playing a key role in Leicester City's improbable triumph in the 2015-16 Premier League.
Chelsea immediately snapped up the defensive midfielder, who has won the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup and UEFA Super Cup in five seasons at the club. Amidst a slew of managerial changes at the club during that period, the Frenchman has usually been one of the first names on Chelsea's team sheet.
The 30-year-old, regarded as one of the finest defensive midfielders in the game at the moment, won the 2018 FIFA World Cup with Les Bleus. He was also one of Chelsea's standout performers in their Champions League win against Manchester City last season.
Kante, who has made over 150 Premier League appearances for Chelsea, is only five away from making his 200th appearance in the competition.
#5 Virgil van Dijk | Liverpool
Virgil Van Dijk has been a key player for Liverpool since arriving at the club more than three years ago.
The Dutchman is widely regarded as one of the finest centre-backs in the game and has been one of the key players in Jurgen Klopp's team. He played every league game for Liverpool in 2018-19 and 2019-20, helping the club win their first English top-flight title in three decades last year.
A season-ending injury early last season meant Van Dijk made just eight appearances for the Reds in the 2020-21 campaign. His absence in turn led to Liverpool's dismal title-defence campaign. Van Dijk returned to action this season in the Reds' 3-0 win over Norwich on the opening day. Such has been his impact in the Premier League that Liverpool have won a staggering 72 out of 95 games in which Van Dijk has appeared for them.
With the return of their defensive lynchpin, Liverpool will fancy their chances of winning their second Premier League title in three years this time around.
#4 Bruno Fernandes | Manchester United
Bruno Fernandes has had a sizzling start to life in the English top flight. In just one and a half seasons at Manchester United, the 26-year-old has racked up an impressive tally of 43 goals in 82 games. 29 of those strikes have come in the Premier League.
Fernandes is the club's designated penalty taker and is also a set-piece specialist. He opened his account in the 2021-22 Premier League by scoring his first hat-trick for the Red Devils as he looks set for another big campaign.
The Portuguese has seemingly rediscovered his mojo after a forgettable Euro 2020 campaign. Fernandes' form could be key if Manchester United are to enjoy a first Premier League triumph in almost a decade.
