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Jordan Pickford (Everton)
Unless his arms suddenly enjoy a miraculous growth spurt the T rex jibes will never fully be banished, but Jordan Pickford has been one of the Premier League’s most reliable goalkeepers for some time. His long passing and shot-stopping have always been of decent standard, but, over time, he’s developed his short game, able to keep the ball moving and begin attacks by picking out teammates at closer range. His handling is tidier, meaning mistakes are fewer, and he is no longer as affected by his emotions as he was in his youth.
Reece James (Chelsea)
Perhaps a surprising entry, but the Chelsea captain is even better than he is given credit for. For years people questioned whether Kyle Walker or Trent Alexander-Arnold should be England’s right-back when, all along, the correct answer was neither because James combines the strengths of both with the weaknesses of neither. He has power, tenacity and recovery pace, all elevated by creativity and attacking impetus. A total footballer, he is not just one of the best in his position in the Premier League, but one of the best in the world.
Matthijs de Ligt (Manchester United)
De Ligt is reaping the rewards of a fallow summer and full pre-season, the only member of United’s squad to play every minute of every Premier League match. His box-defending is excellent, he is dominant in the air – at both ends – and has adapted well to a role that demands he contest challenges in midfield, winning duels and second balls with increasing regularity. As his confidence has grown, he has assumed the role of defensive organiser, showing once more the leadership skills that earned him the captaincy of Ajax at 18.
Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace)
Challenging for inclusion simply by virtue of the name Maxence – originating from Latin and meaning “greatest” or “illustrious” – the Palace centre-back is quick, strong, classy on the ball and commanding in the air. He is the only player to play every minute of Palace’s 19 games this season, which reflects not only his ability, but also his influence. His comment before last season’s FA Cup final, that “Wembley will shake and it will be beautiful”, formed a central part of the fans’ tifo that preceded the win over Manchester City, immortalised on a banner and firmly ensconced in Eagles folklore forever more.
Michael Kayode (Brentford)
Usually deployed at right-back, Kayode can also play on the left, and it is here he features in this XI. Though he has become famous for throw-ins hurled not just far but flat, there is much more to him than that. Comfortable on the ball and adept at passing or tackling with either foot, like many young full-backs Kayode is a threat driving forward with the ball. But unlike many his defensive fundamentals are also sound: he is physically dominant, reads the game well and, when beaten, can often rely on his recovery pace to extricate him from trouble.
Yasin Ayari (Brighton)
The most eye-catching work in Brighton’s midfield is done by Carlos Baleba, but it is Ayari who provides the Cameroonian with the platform to go on adventures. Refined in possession, even when receiving under pressure, he dictates play, but also has the speed, discipline and intelligence to cover space and track runners. There is more yet to come: Ayari strikes the ball with purity, making it a matter of time before he regularly produces goals and assists.
Noah Sadiki (Sunderland)
Signed in the summer for £15m, the 20-year-old midfielder – who can also play full-back and centre-back – has been quietly revelatory, one of the key men in Sunderland’s outstanding start to the season. Sadiki’s barely believable energy allows him to rampage from box to box for 90 minutes while also giving Granit Xhaka the scope to control the pace of games. Sadiki can also dribble, pass and tackle, on top of which he is, the Guardian is reliably assured, a lovely boy with exemplary attitude.
Alex Iwobi (Fulham)
There are few as reliable in all phases of midfield play as Iwobi, whether that be in a pivot, going box to box or out wide. Able to take the ball under pressure, carry it well and use it intelligently, his movement without it is also excellent and the numbers back up the eye test. Only six Premier League players have created more chances than the 29-year-old this season, while he leads his team in assists, expected assists, key passes, progressive passes and shot-creating actions, among other metrics. Quietly, Iwobi has become one of the most effective players in the country.
Jacob Murphy (Newcastle)
It took Murphy time to establish himself at the top end of the game. Starting out at Norwich, he was loaned to Swindon, Southend, Blackpool, Scunthorpe, Colchester and Coventry before signing for Newcastle, after which he spent time at West Brom and Sheffield Wednesday. On his return to Newcastle, he was deployed as a wing-back by Steve Bruce. Now, though, the 30-year-old is a key member of the squad, starting the majority of matches and coming off the bench in almost all the others, his hard-running creativity elevated by improved output. Last season, he contributed nine goals and 14 assists, he has two and three this season, and has grown into a far better player than most expected.
Eli Junior Kroupi (Bournemouth)
To arrive in the Premier League from overseas and score four times in eight games is impressive in any context, but to do so as a 19-year-old is exceptional. Kroupi’s first three goals for Bournemouth were of the poacher’s variety, his ability to anticipate where the ball would drop supported by the intelligence to calculate and finesse to apply the necessary finish. Against Nottingham Forest last month he showed he is more than that, scavenging for possession in the centre-circle and carrying the ball forward, jinking to unbalance the two defenders between him and goal, then hammering a low shot into the corner from 25 yards. He will not be under-appreciated for much longer.
Leandro Trossard (Arsenal)
Trossard is almost the perfect squad player for a title-chasing team. Though he is not of elite level, he is still very good and understands that his role of utility forward, covering and excelling across the frontline, is a specialist one. Though the Belgian will never be an automatic selection he will play plenty of games, from the start and off the bench. His job is to be ready when called upon and the ability to affect games, often with little time in which to work, requires unimpeachable mentality and is no less important than that of the regular starters. Impact is measured in outcomes, not minutes, and Trossard has shown more than once he can make an impact for Arsenal.
