Spurs sensation Maddison leads Premier League Team of the Season so far
With the second international break of the season now underway, we’ve taken a look at the Premier League’s standout performers so far. Tottenham are the only side to boast three representatives, while players from Newcastle, Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Manchester City, West Ham and Arsenal are also included.
Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham) - 7.07
After eight matches, Tottenham’s new number one is the Premier League’s highest rated goalkeeper. Vicario, who joined Spurs in the summer from Italian side Empoli, has so far been crucial to Ange Postecoglou’s unbeaten start. The 27-year-old has kept three clean sheets and maintained a save success rate of 80.5% - bettered only by Alisson in the English top-flight - to earn a WhoScored rating of 7.07.
Kieran Trippier (Newcastle) - 7.76
England international Kieran Trippier has made an exceptional start to the Premier League campaign, registering a hat-trick of assists in Newcastle’s 8-0 thrashing of Sheffield United, before notching two more in the following two matches. Trippier’s offensive contribution is a crucial part of his game, but his defensive actions have also been impressive so far. The full-back has made a total of 13 tackles, six interceptions, seven clearances and seven blocks at this stage to return an overall WhoScored rating of 7.76.
Joachim Andersen (Crystal Palace) - 7.57
With a WhoScored rating of 7.57, Crystal Palace’s Joachim Andersen is the Premier League’s highest rated centre-back so far this season. The Dane has played a pivotal role in his side’s four clean sheets this term - a total that no team in the division can better - while also scoring two important goals at Brentford and Manchester United to earn the Eagles four points.
Cristian Romero (Tottenham) - 7.39
Partnering Andersen in defence is Tottenham’s World Cup-winning centre-back Cristian Romero, who has looked better than ever in a Spurs shirt under new boss Ange Postecoglou. The Argentina international is currently averaging a pass success rate of 92.1% and fewer than one foul per game, while his goals away to Brentford and Burnley have proved vital in maintaining his side’s unbeaten start. Romero has so far made 20 tackles, 12 interceptions and 35 clearances to return a WhoScored rating of 7.39.
Andy Robertson (Liverpool) - 7.11
After eight gameweeks, the Premier League’s highest rated left-back is Liverpool’s Andy Robertson. Despite boasting only one goal contribution at this stage, the Scotland international has impressed defensively in a somewhat new-look Jurgen Klopp side, with 15 tackles and eight interceptions to his name, along with 19 key passes, to earn a WhoScored rating of 7.11.
Rodri (Manchester City) - 7.62
With a WhoScored rating of 7.62, Manchester City midfielder Rodri is the Premier League’s third highest rated player after eight gameweeks. The Spain international, who was sent off in his most recent league appearance, had been performing at the elite level many have come to expect of him in the five matches prior. Rodri scored and assisted in the opening day victory at Burnley, and grabbed the winner in the dying minutes at Sheffield United. Manchester City have won every match he has played in this season, and lost each of those played without him.
James Ward-Prowse (West Ham) - 7.53
James Ward-Prowse, signed from Southampton for £30m in the summer, has proved one of the Premier League’s best additions after eight matches. The 28-year-old had an immediate impact for David Moyes’ side, with five goal contributions in his first five matches. Ward-Prowse, who continues to be overlooked by England manager Gareth Southgate, has also made nine tackles, 12 interceptions and 15 key passes in the heart of midfield, to land a WhoScored rating of 7.53.
With six goal contributions in seven matches, Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is the Premier League’s second highest rated player at this stage. Saka has so far registered four goals and two assists for the Gunners, along with 19 key passes and 13 successful dribbles, to earn a WhoScored rating of 7.74.
James Maddison (Tottenham) - 7.76
With just over a fifth of the season’s matches played, the Premier League’s highest rated player is Tottenham midfielder James Maddison. Arguably the signing of the summer, Maddison has so far had a direct hand in seven goals for the league leaders, who remain unbeaten. On his way to a WhoScored rating of 7.76, Maddison has also made 25 key passes, the most of any midfielder in the division.
Anthony Gordon (Newcastle) - 7.46
Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon has started the season strongly, with four goal contributions for Eddie Howe’s side, who currently sit eighth. The 22-year-old’s standout performance so far came in the 8-0 victory over Sheffield United, where he scored and assisted after coming on as a substitute for the injured Harvey Barnes. Gordon has also completed 12 successful dribbles and made eight key passes to return a WhoScored rating of 7.46.
Erling Haaland (Manchester City) - 7.50
Last season’s record-breaking Golden Boot winner Erling Haaland is, unsurprisingly, the Premier League’s highest rated striker so far this season. Despite failing to score in his last two matches, the Norwegian has eight goals to his name after eight rounds of fixtures, and also provided the assist for Julian Alvarez to open the scoring against Fulham in September, before netting a hat-trick in what is his highest rated performance of the campaign thus far (9.58).
