Ranking the best players from the top four Premier League teams this season

The Barclays Premier League is often regarded as the most competitive League in the world. It is perhaps the only League where five to six clubs fight for the title. In the current 2018/19 campaign, three teams are unbeaten so far in the first twelve games which is a new record in Premier League history. The Blue half of Manchester are currently leading the table followed by Liverpool, Chelsea, and Spurs.

Pep Guardiola and Manchester City have completely changed the dynamics of the competition. The football in England was a bit direct until Guardiola arrived. Manchester City is now the most dominating team in the land and looks all set to defend their League title successfully. However, not so far behind them is Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool, who was City's menace last season. They are the favorites to challenge Guardiola's side this campaign as well.

Chelsea is back in the top four after missing out last season. Maurizio Sarri's attacking philosophy has been reflective in his side's performances. The Blues are no more a defensive side like they used to be.

With City, Liverpool, and Chelsea looking good to finish as the top three at the end of the season, the battle for the fourth place could go down to the wire with Arsenal, Spurs and Manchester United all fighting for that one spot. Mauricio Pochettino's side is currently fourth in the table, three points above their arch-rivals Arsenal.

There are a handful number of players who have performed brilliantly for the top teams. Here is a list of the best player from each of the top four sides so far this season.

#4 Eric Lamela (Tottenham Hotspur)

Has Lamela finally found his rhythm at Spurs?

Eric Lamela moved to Spurs from Roma in 2013 at a reported transfer fee of £25.8 million. The Argentine's biggest strengths are his dribbling ability and finesse in front of goal.

However, Lamela had found it hard to get a consistent run of games in Tottenham colors upon his arrival. Despite having the desired skills, he lacked the temperament and the physicality to thrive in the Premier League. At the start of the 2016/17 season, Eric suffered a hip injury which kept him out for more than a year.

But, In the current season, Lamela has had an expectational start and has already come up with some crucial goals including a blinder against Liverpool. It's not often that Lamela is considered before Eriksen, Dele Alli or Harry Kane in the starting lineup, but based on the current performances, he has arguably been the brightest spot in what has been a hot and cold start to the campaign for Spurs.

#3 Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool)

Van Dijk is a rock at the back for Liverpool.

Often it's the attacking players who get all the credit and accolades for their contribution to the team. But the biggest reason Liverpool is second in the League table this season and has the joint best defensive record is center back, Virgil Van Dijk.

Last season, the situation was uneasy for the Reds. Players like Lovren and Matip in defense and Kairus in goal didn't do enough in defense to earn the confidence of the manager. Liverpool was a team that could score beautiful goals on their day and also concede in a flash on the same day.

Frustrated with a dismal defensive record, Jurgen Klopp didn't waste any time to make Van Dijk the most expensive defender in history. After the arrival of the Dutchman in January 2019 and the acquisition of Allison in the following summer, the dynamism around Anfield has completely changed. Van Dijk's calm and commanding nature has reflected in Liverpool's performances with the strikers having the luxury to go on the attack without worrying much about defending.

#2 Eden Hazard (Chelsea)

Eden Hazard is rated as one of the best players in the world and often compared to the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The Belgian International has all the attributes to win the Ballon d'Or someday and is also the captain of the Belgium National Team.

Hazard is a two-time Premier League Champion, a League Cup winner and has also won the UEFA Europa League in his debut season with Chelsea. He even won the PFA Young Player of the year the following campaign.

Last season, his performances were disappointing which eventually led to Chelsea's failure to finish in the top four and Antonio Conte getting sacked at the end of the campaign. However, under Maurizio Sarri, Hazard seems to have found his old vigor and consistently poses a genuine threat to the opposing defense with his mazy dribbling and composed finishing. He is currently second in the list of top scorers this season and already has a hat-trick to his name.

#1 Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)

Sterling is a much-improved player this season.

Pep Guardiola is the only manager in the league who can afford to have a couple of players injured and still win games handsomely. The quality he has got on the bench is exceptional. After De Bruyne got injured early in the season, there were some concerns among the fans which was immediately put to bed by the likes of David Silva, Bernardo Silva, and Raheem Sterling.

It was difficult to choose one among the long list of quality payers that City has got in their ranks. Sterling has gotten criticized before for his immaturity and temperament in crucial situations. However, what makes the England International stand out is his improvement from the last season.

Sterling has been making darting runs down the right flank in every game and has produced some beautiful crosses, much to the delight of his manager, Pep Guardiola. He has even come up with some crucial goals both in the Premier League and in the Champions League. His link-up play with both the Silvas has left many defenders bamboozled.

Pep Guardiola has praised Sterling for his performances and would be hoping the 23-year old Winger can continue his excellent run of form until the end of the season.