New Uprising of Premier League race

11 players that will define Premier league race

It’s been the most absorbing and enthralling title race in years.

We only be in February but already this season is shaping up to one of the best in years.

First though, before we get started, a self-imposed rule: no more than two players per team.

1.Virgil Van Dijk

Bought last January for €80m, a fee that now looks like a complete bargain. Liverpool are a different side with him at the back and will be keeping everything crossed that he doesn’t add to their recent injury woes. If there’s one man they can afford to lose, it’s Van Dijk.

2.Harry Kane

Mauricio Pochettino can put on a brave face all he wants – Tottenham just aren’t the same without Harry Kane. If they really do have title ambitions Spurs need their talisman back, and quick.

3.Sergio Agüero

When Manchester City need someone to come up trumps on the biggest of occasion, it invariably falls to the Argentine to get them out of  trouble. Agüero has already scored against the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and United this term and will surely have his eye on that Manchester derby on March 16.

4.Ruben Neves

Wolves travel to Anfield on the final day of the season and if the whereabouts of the trophy are still undecided by then, Ruben Neves could have a massive part to play up against the likes of Fabinho and Gini Wijnaldum.

5.Michy Batshuayi

Manchester City haven’t had the best time of it recently against Crystal Palace. Their game on April 13 really stands out in the City run-in, with Batshuayi sure to be starting up top after his deadline day loan move. The Belgium international already looks like the missing piece in the Palace puzzle and will fancy his chances at Selhurst Park.

6.Heung-min Son

We mentioned it in Monday’s Good, Bad, Ugly, but there’s an argument to be made that Heung-min Son has been the single most important player to any team so far this season. If Tottenham want to overhaul both City and Liverpool, they’ll need the South Korean to be on top form.

7.Gonzalo Higuaín

Seems to have hit the ground running since his arrival at Chelsea last month, Gonzalo Higuaín will come up against Man City this weekend and then goes to Anfield on April 13. He’s already netted twice in the Premier League – can the Argentine add more to his tally? We’re betting he does.

8.Marcus Rashford

Is there any player, anywhere in Europe, in better form right now than Marcus Rashford? The 20-year-old has rediscovered the fun after José Mourinho’s sacking and will fancy his chances against City (March 16 ) and Liverpool (February 24).

9.Benjamin Mendy

Pep may have an obscene amount of talent at his disposal but right now, City don’t look the same without their marauding Frenchman at left-back. Mendy has been struggling with injuries post-Christmas, but could his return see a resurgence see City really hit their stride just in time?

10.Naby Keïta

Is it too early to be talking about the Flops of the Season? Because if not, surely Naby Keïta has to be up there. The Guinea international just hasn’t adapted, at all, to this Liverpool side, and needs to get going quickly if the Reds are to reassert their dominance in midfield ahead of this most vital of run-ins.

11.Neil Etheridge

Only one team play Liverpool and Manchester City in the final four weeks of the season. That side, is Cardiff. And if things go to form, Neil Etheridge might be having a few busy afternoons. The goalkeeper has been one of Neil Warnock’s stand-out players this term, and could have a huge say in where the title goes come May 12.