Premier League action will be sorely missed this weekend because of the cruel international break which interrupts the exciting proceedings in the league every other month. The league is getting exciting with each passing week as the table-toppers suffered their first defeat at the hands of the leaders of the hunting pack, Spurs who defeated Manchester City 2-0 at home. The difference between the first team on the table and the fourth team is just two points, which signifies the competition in this league.
The star-studded league has seen its blockbuster names perform on the big stage with the names like Zlatan Ibrahimovic settling well in a new country and getting on the scoresheet on their debut. Manchester City had an unbelievable start to their campaign under Pep Guardiola as they went on a run of ten consecutive wins before Brendan Rodgers' Celtic halted their juggernaut.
Arsenal, Liverpool, and Spurs have set the ball rolling in emerging as the challengers to league favourites, Manchester City. Whereas, Manchester United and Chelsea have yet to play to their full potential under new managers at both the clubs.
West Ham's Michail Antonio and Everton's Romelu Lukaku have started their season well with both the players tied on five goals. Let's take a look at the five best players in the Premier League for this season in which Lukaku misses out by a whisker in what has been an impressive start for the Toffees under the new manager, Ronald Koeman.
#5 Sadio Mane
The 24-year old has started his career at a new club on a high. Mane joined the Reds in a deal exceeding £30 million this summer but has quickly established his importance in the team with the huge fee looking like a bargain considering his swashbuckling performances.
With three goals and one assist in seven games, the Senegalese international has gotten used to Jurgen Klopp's methods at Liverpool and is emerging as one of their most important players in the German's renaissance at the club. With goals in big matches against Arsenal and Leicester, Mane is coming up as a big match player with his blistering pace combined with deadly finishing helping Liverpool to their best start in recent seasons.
#4 Kevin De Bruyne
De Bruyne has played this season as a man on a mission as the 25-year-old has come up in Manchester City's pecking order of important players with the Belgian is now talked about in the same breath as Sergio Aguero and David Silva by manager Pep Guardiola. The Spaniard heaped lavish praises on his attacker that he compared De Bruyne of belonging in the table just beside Lionel Messi.
The 25-year-old is out of action currently with a niggle in his hamstring but still has racked up two goals and four assists in seven games for the Citizens. De Bruyne inarguably played his best game in a blue shirt against bitter rivals Manchester United where he completely destroyed Mourinho's defence. For Guardiola to be a success, De Bruyne has to play a huge role in it alongside Sergio Aguero.
#3 Alexis Sanchez
The Gunners are unbeaten since their opening day defeat to Liverpool and the major reason of that is the form of a certain Chilean. Alexis Sanchez has started the 2016-17 season brightly, scoring four goals on the way. He has also produced two assists in the six games that he has played as Arsenal sit in third place on the table with 16 points, just two behind Manchester City.
Sanchez has scored in away victories for Arsenal against Watford and Southampton while scoring a delightful goal against Chelsea at the Emirates. He has also been sensational in the Champions League till now after scoring a goal against Paris Saint-Germain and providing two assists in a 2-0 win over Basel. The Chilean needs to continue his Midas touch if this Arsenal squad wants to give a fitting gift to Arsene Wenger for his 20 years of service to the club.
#2 Toby Alderweireld
The Belgian is the best piece of business that Spurs have done in recent seasons as Alderweireld has formed a solid partnership with countryman Jan Vertonghen. The pair is inarguably the best centre-back pairing in the league on form since the last season with Spurs having one of the best and most settled defense in the country.
With just three goals conceded in seven games, Alderweireld has established himself as one of the best defenders in the league. He has a calming presence at the back which has helped Spurs to have a mean back line coupled with an aerial threat that he possesses on set pieces. With 1.3 tackles and 5.6 clearances per game, Alderweireld has truly been a force to reckon with for the Lilywhites.
#1 Diego Costa
The Spaniard has been Chelsea's best player till now with the Blues' campaign hitting a few roadblocks on the way. Antonio Conte’s side is sitting on the seventh place after a disappointing 3-0 loss to rivals Arsenal.
Costa was the subject of interest for Atletico Madrid in the summer but Chelsea were in no mood to let go of their prized asset. That was one of their smart decisions in recent times as Costa has proved his worth with six goals this season making him the top scorer in the Premier League at the moment.
The 27-year-old scored the winner in Chelsea's first two games against Watford and West Ham while scoring a stunning overhead kick against Swansea to salvage a draw for Chelsea. He has also scored against Hull and Liverpool this season while also producing two assists along the way.
Antonio Conte is getting a taste of English football early in his first season but he has an able striker at his disposal who has shown time and again that he is a world class player with deadly finishing skills that can give Chelsea the momentum to push for a top four spot.
