Premier League’s Standout Performers: A Mid-Season Review
The festive season is upon us, adn with it comes a chance to reflect on the Premier League’s thrilling start. Our writers have meticulously analyzed the performances of players across the league,crafting their ideal starting XIs for the first half of the 2024-25 season.
while some selections are unanimous – Mohamed Salah, Bukayo Saka, and Cole Palmer are surefire picks – others spark lively debate. The recent dip in form for Manchester City has even led to the exclusion of Erling Haaland, despite his blistering start. Chris Wood, with his consistent goal-scoring prowess for Nottingham Forest, emerges as a worthy contender.
The abundance of talent on the right wing presents a delightful dilemma. Saka, Salah, and Dejan Kulusevski all deserve recognition, but only three spots are available.
Nottingham Forest’s resurgence is undeniable, with several players catching the eye. While only two made the final cut, Ola aina, Murillo, Nikola Milenkovic, Alex Moreno, Elliot Anderson, and Morgan Gibbs-White all warrant consideration, highlighting the team’s impressive form.The midfield battle is equally captivating. Ryan Gravenberch’s seamless transition into a holding midfield role for Liverpool has been a tactical masterclass, while Moises Caicedo’s commanding presence for Chelsea justifies his hefty transfer fee.Defensively, Virgil van Dijk and William Saliba have been stalwarts for their respective teams, but their less-heralded partners, Ibrahima Konate and Gabriel, have also shone brightly. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s improved defensive solidity earns him a spot over Aina, while Antonee Robinson’s consistent excellence for Fulham cements his place.
This mid-season review showcases the Premier League’s depth of talent and the captivating narratives unfolding across the league. Who would make your starting XI? Share your thoughts and justifications in the comments below.Don’t miss out on the latest transfer news and analysis on The Athletic.png” alt=””/>
Who’s in, who’s out and why?
Mark Flekken has adapted to a slightly different role this season under Thomas Frank at Brentford, with a greater focus on building out from the back. No goalkeeper has attempted more passes than Flekken this season and he has largely performed well.
The leadership and quality of Van Dijk is partnered with the towering presence of milenkovic, who has toughened up Forest’s defence immeasurably. Either side of them is Bournemouth’s energetic Milos Kerkez — who elite clubs should be looking at in the summer — and the versatile,technical quality of Noussair Mazraoui,who is one of the few Manchester United players that can be pleased with their start to the season.
The press-resistant Gravenberch is a shoo-in alongside Caicedo, who has adapted brilliantly to the demands of Enzo Maresca’s style of play. palmer is also a non-negotiable pick with his effortless ability to score or create from anywhere. Leaving Saka out is difficult, but Salah’s 13 goals and nine assists put him in the same category as a guaranteed pick.
On the left wing, Alex Iwobi might not be everyone’s choice but he has shown himself to be incredibly adaptable on both flanks — forming some excellent attacking triangles with Emile Smith Rowe and Antonee Robinson.
leading the line is forest’s Wood, who has already reached double figures this season. People sleep on just how technically strong he is,but he is thriving in Nuno Espirito Santo’s team as so much more than a target man.
Mark Carey
Who’s in, who’s out and why?
What’s striking when picking this team is the omission of any Manchester City players — with Haaland the only one who can count himself unlucky to miss out.
In goal, Mads hermansen has been excellent in a struggling Leicester side and his performances have helped keep them bobbing above the relegation zone. Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk have been back to their imperious best in Arne Slot’s well-oiled machine at Liverpool, while Milenkovic has been instrumental to forest’s revival under nuno. antonee Robinson, Fulham’s flying left-back, has had an outstanding season, registered two assists at Anfield and kept Saka at bay earlier this month.
Gravenberch has seemingly solved the longstanding No 6 problem at Liverpool with his deft touches and ability to wriggle out of tight squeezes, Caicedo has finally found his rhythm at Chelsea while team-mate Palmer is so good he now models for Burberry.Special mention to Matheus Cunha, who has sprinkled some magic in a woeful Wolves side, who narrowly missed out.
Up front, Saka has been sublime and edges out Brentford’s Mbeumo, Wood’s goals have put forest on an unlikely Champions League charge, while Salah has been the Premier League’s outstanding player.
Tom Burrows
Who’s in, who’s out and why?
With less stability in front of him this season than last, David Raya has been called upon more frequently and has stood up to the task. He’s been one of the league’s most reliable keepers so far and is capable of pulling out some real show-stoppers.
Milenkovic has been a crucial cog in Forest’s sturdy back line and Van Dijk has been excellent for Liverpool,rising to the challenge of having more duty to play out from defence and build Liverpool’s attacks under Slot. Robinson has been a standout performer,continuing his impressive attacking contribution from last season,but also impressing with his defensive duties — against Arsenal,he was crucial to restricting the threat of Saka and co.Alexander-Arnold remains one of the standout right-backs in the league, despite his form dipping slightly.
Caicedo’s ball-winning capabilities and ability to see danger have been key to Chelsea’s resurgence this season, while palmer has established himself as the kind of player capable of changing a game at any point. Anderson isn’t a name I’d have expected to include at the start of the season, but his versatility (he has largely been used as a defensive or left midfielder before being shifted into the No 10 role to cover for the injured morgan Gibbs-White) and proficiency in all of those roles wins him a spot on the left of midfield. Though arguably, his performances as a 10 indicate that is were he can really thrive.
I’ve put Saka on the left of my front three, which isn’t ideal, but I can’t leave him out and Salah has edged that spot on the right with his performances. The striker position is engaging. Haaland is the league’s top-scoring striker, but form-wise others are standing out more. Wood is more than worthy but I’ve gone for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa who has made losing Ivan Toney far less painful for Brentford than it might have been.
Sarah Shepherd
Who’s in, who’s out and why?
Flekken has been key to Brentford’s smart start while Trent Alexander-Arnold gets in for his early-season form. Van Dijk is the best version of imperious, so of course captain confident makes it. Joining him in defence is Gabriel,who has a similar air of confidence to his play. They would make a mean partnership.
I’ve tried to give flowers to some who might not receive them otherwise, which is why Bournemouth’s Kerkez makes the cut along with Mikkel Damsgaard of Brentford. Kerkez is crafty, sassy and not afraid of anyone when battling up and down the wing.Simultaneously occurring, Damsgaard is so clever on the ball and glides through the pitch knitting together play after play. Both are a lot of fun to watch.
Than onto the more predictable picks. Gravenberch would be voted as Liverpool’s best player so far this season had it not been for the ridiculous form and vision of Salah. Both make it in. And I couldn’t leave Saka out, so I did the right thing and stuck him on the left. wood’s performances have ensured him a spot in so many teams.And with that harry Kane-like finishing and reliability, he has more than earned it.
Caoimhe O’Neill
Who’s in, who’s out and why?
There is an element of cheating here.strictly speaking, any self-respecting team of the season so far should be lined up in either the dominant formation of the time (probably 4-3-3, still) or the one that has had the most influence on the campaign (the 4-2-3-1 deployed by Slot’s Liverpool and Nuno’s Forest, among others).
Instead, I’ve borrowed the system that Ruben Amorim holds so close to his heart, largely because it means I can just about squeeze in Salah and Saka. I feel intensely guilty to have left out Milenkovic, Iwobi, Sels and Carlos Baleba; Antonee Robinson could easily have made it ahead of Kerkez.
Though this wasn’t part of the assignment,
Finding Form: Unexpected Stars Shine in the Premier League
This season has seen some surprising selections emerge as key contributors,defying expectations and highlighting the fluidity of player performance. While some picks seem predictable, others offer a compelling narrative of players finding their stride in new environments.
take Ibrahima Konaté, for example. His crucial role in Liverpool’s strong start has been undeniable, yet his contributions ofen go unnoticed beyond the Anfield faithful. This underscores a recurring theme: remarkable talent can sometimes be overlooked when it doesn’t align with broader narratives.
Similarly, the resurgence of players like Kepa Arrizabalaga, Ryan Gravenberch, and Chris Wood serves as a powerful reminder that context is everything in football. Thes individuals, previously deemed underperforming, have blossomed in their new surroundings, proving that a change of scenery can unlock hidden potential. Their success this season is a testament to the idea that there are no inherently “bad” players, only players who haven’t found the right fit.The Premier League’s dynamic nature constantly throws up surprises, reminding us that talent can emerge from unexpected places. This season’s narrative is one of rediscovery and reinvention, with players seizing opportunities and proving their worth on the biggest stage.
