Top 5 players from the EPL's bottom half this season

The EPL is the most competitive and entertaining football league in the world. All the twenty teams have abundant quality, and on any given day, any EPL team can beat another one. The same has held true this season too.

For instance, bottom-placed Norwich defeated Manchester City and drew with Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur but have got relegated. 17th-placed Watford humbled EPL champions Liverpool 3-0.

Predicting the teams that would get relegated from the EPL is nearly impossible. Many 'experts' predicted that Sheffield United would get relegated because they appeared 'average' on paper. But they defied all odds and not only avoided relegation but are on the brink of playing in the Europa League next season.

So how does a team survive in the EPL? There are many factors, and one of them is individual brilliance.

Every team in the bottom half of the EPL has one or two players that have had a marvellous season. Although it is much better to have a collective group that performs at a high level like Wolves and Sheffield United, there are many EPL teams that have to rely on their key players to get a result against a big team or to merely survive a season in the competition.

On that note, here are five players from the bottom half of the EPL who have had a fabulous 2019/20 campaign.

Five players who have had a fabulous 2019-20 EPL season

#5 Declan Rice

The 21-year-old Declan Rice has been nothing short of sensational for West Ham in the EPL this season.

He has been so impressive for the Hammers that he has been linked with Chelsea and Manchester United; both these EPL giants are in an immediate need of a centre-back. Given his all-round game, Rice can also serve as a good option in the midfield as well.

Rice, who is an excellent passer of the ball, has tallied some astonishing defensive numbers in the EPL this season. He averages more than three tackles per game, which is one of the best in the EPL and has a high pass accuracy of 86%.

Rice's excellent defensive ability and positioning awareness was on display in West Ham's game against Tottenham. In that game, he won ten out of 13 duels and had six tackles, three interceptions and seven accurate long balls, the most by any player in that game.

The youngster has started all 35 EPL games for West Ham this season, and with seven England caps already, he is destined for more success.

#4 Richarlison

Everton's 23-year-old forward Richarlison has managed to outperform all expectations and has been sensational in the EPL this season. With 12 goals and three assists, he has been one of the rare shining lights in an otherwise underwhelming campaign for Everton.

He also had a good season last year, scoring 12 goals in 32 starts. However, Richarlison has taken his game to a different level this season. He has scored against tough opponents like Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City and has also helped his strike partner Dominic Calvert-Lewin from both wings.

Richarlison is an adept dribbler and has a touch of unpredictability, which makes him a challenging proposition for defenders. He wins almost two aerial duels and 6.4 total duels per game.

Being two-footed, he can play anywhere across the front three, which has made him a favourite of manager Carlo Ancelloti. Richarlison can play in Ancelotti's preferred 4-4-2 and is also comfortable in other formations depending on the opponent.

Due to his impressive performances this season, the Brazilian has been linked with FC Barcelona and Manchester United, who require a player who can play as a striker and can also operate on the wings.

#3 Martin Dubravka

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Newcastle United - EPL

Newcastle United's 31-year-old goalkeeper Martin Dubravka has been their player of the season. The fan favourite has mirrored his last season's heroics. Dubravka has kept 10 clean sheets in the EPL this season despite having a mediocre defence in front of him.

Needless to say, he has been vital in Newcastle's hopes of surviving in the EPL this season. The Slovakian keeper has saved almost four shots per game and has only let in 1.5 goals per game. He also has the joint highest save percentage (78%) in the EPL this season, along with Tottenham Hotspurs' captain Hugo Lloris.

Dubravka has had numerous games in which he made vital saves. Newcastle's xGA (Expected Goals Against) predicted them to concede 11 more goals than the 52 they have conceded from 35 EPL games this season.

“Martin has a had a wonderful few months since he’s been at the club and has been rewarded, so in that respect, we’re all delighted." Steve Bruce on Dubravka.

#2 Danny Ings

The 27-year-old Southampton striker Danny Ings has been in fine form in the EPL this season. With 19 goals in 29 starts, he is competing with the EPL's elite goal-scorers for the Golden Boot.

Ings' form has helped Ralph Hasenhuttl's team avoid a relegation scare. His goals and assists in the ongoing EPL season have amounted to 25 points, which is 55.5% of Southampton's current points tally of 45.

The striker started the post-lockdown period with a bang by scoring once and assisting against Norwich in an away EPL game. He then went on to score a brace against Watford and helped his team beat last season's EPL champions Manchester City.

Ings scores a goal every two games (0.5 goals/90), which is up there with the best strikers in the EPL this season. The Saints have successfully locked in a mid-table finish. With Ings in joint-third place in the Golden Boot race, he has undoubtedly been Southampton's brightest performer in the EPL this season.

#1 Jack Grealish

Aston Villa's Jack Grealish has been quite magnificent in the EPL this season; he has been the best player from the competition's bottom half. Grealish has six assists in 33 starts and has made 2.6 key passes per game, which is the second-best in the 2019-20 EPL, behind Kevin De Bruyne's 3.7.

Grealish also has a pass accuracy of 85% and makes two successful dribbles per games. He wins 8.3 duels per game and gets fouled at least five times in a game. He has also scored seven goals this season, which is the most by an Aston Villa player in the EPL this season.

The 24-year-old has helped the Claret and Blues on numerous occasions with his match-winning goals and assists. Grealish has helped Everton earn ten points with his goals and assists, which is almost half of Aston Villa's current points tally of 21.

Grealish also scored a decisive goal at Old Trafford, which helped his side earn a vital point away from home. He is now being linked with a move to Manchester United who require another playmaker; with his ability to play on the left wing, he is one of the ideal candidates.

Honourable Mentions

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Everton's 23-year-old Dominic Calvert-Lewin is having his best season as the central striker for his club.

He has racked up 13 goals and an assist in the EPL this season. Calvert Lewin has an xG (Expected Goals) of 0.55/game and has been the perfect goal-scoring partner for Richarlison.

James Ward-Prowse

The 25-year-old Southampton playmaker James Ward-Prowse has been vital for The Saints in the EPL this season.

He has racked up five goals and three assists in 35 starts and has made 1.6 key passes per game. He has had a pass accuracy of 80% and has made 2.5 tackles per game.

Nathan Ake

Bournemouth's Dutch defender Nathan Ake has been the leader of their defence and has helped them big-time in the EPL this season.

The 23-year-old has made five clearances per game and has a pass accuracy of 88%. He has two assists and as many goals in this season's EPL. Due to his impressive form, he has been linked with moves to both Manchester City and Manchester United.

Edited by Bhargav