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England reached the World Cup semifinals for the first time in 28 years. This can be credited to the emergence of top quality young players in the recent years.
The Three Lions have a good depth in their squad right now. This depth can be especially seen in the attacking options that Gareth Southgate has at his disposal. With World Cup Golden Boot winner Harry Kane, Rashford, Sterling in their ranks, all of whom play in the Premier League, we can say that best of England still play in England.
So, let's take a look at 5 of the best English players in the Premier League this season, based on the stats and irrespective of whether they have been capped or not.
#5 Will Hughes
The former Derby County midfielder has been a crucial component of the high-flying Watford team this season. Yes, he hasn't scored or assisted that much goals, with only one goal scored so far, but Manager of the month Javi Gracia knows what an important role he plays on the right flank. And this is what he had to say about him, after Watford's 3-1 win over Burnley:
''clever player who can see the spaces”
The 23-year-old has started in all the fixtures for the Hornets and made 1.3 key passes per match, according to WhoScored.com. He also has made more tackles than any other Watford player and thus has been a focal point whenever Watford attack from the break.
He is a real threat coming from the right flank, and the sweet strike from 20 yards out against Burnley, just might be first of many goals he scores this season. And it is about time he is called up by Gareth Southgate.
#4 James Tarkowski
The 25-year-old defender has put in brilliant efforts from his side, but these performances have been overshadowed by the dismal performance by Burnley, who sit second last in the standings with just one point.
Already having scored 2 goals this season, the defender also has made a third highest number of blocks in the league and has made more clearances than any other English player, according to Premier League Statistics. These statistics are way better than the current first-choice centre-backs, Maguire and Stones.
The performances put in by him need to be complemented by the other Burnley players too and it is only if they manage to keep clean sheets, that he may have a chance to be called up for international duty again.
#3 Alex McCarthy
The current Southampton No.1 has been brilliant for the Saints this season. Managing to keep two clean sheets in four games, which is more than any other English keeper so far.
Therefore, it is no surprise that he has been included in the Three Lions squad for the UEFA Nations League, though whether he gets to start a match or not is a different story.
Along with keeping two clean sheets, he has made 20 saves in total, which is second highest in the league, also he has conceded fewer goals than the England No.1 Pickford, so as things stand he is the best English keeper in the league.
#2 Harry Kane
No matter what happens, one thing's for sure, Harry Kane is going to be the best No.9 the Three Lions will have in the coming years. The World Cup Golden Boot winner has scored two goals and assisted another one in four games so far.
A quiet start for a big player like him, but at least me managed to score in August after a long time so, that's a relief. Although in terms of goals scored he is behind the 34-year-old Glen Murray, his contribution to Spurs' gameplay is much more important.
He has made 1.3 key passes per match, according to WhoScored.com. He has also created more big chances than the Seagulls striker. So he's one of the best English players playing in the league right now.
#1 James Milner
Undoubtedly, the 32-year-old versatile player has been the best English player in the Premier League so far. He has two assists and a goal to his name so far, that too in a team having prolific attackers like Salah, Firminho and the current leading scorer Mane.
He has been an absolute engine in the midfield, covering more distance than any other Liverpool player so far. The number of passes made for Liverpool by him is only second to those made by defender Van Dijk.
Having announced his retirement from international football 2016, he won't play for the Three Lions again, but as things stand he has been the best English player in Premier League so far.
