Kickstarting Greatness: Exploring the Top Premier League Players
Dive into the thrilling world of top Premier League players, their stats, and stellar achievements.
Table of Contents
Top Premier League Players
When it comes to soccer, the Premier League is where the magic happens. It's packed with top-notch talent and fierce competition. Let's check out the stars who are lighting up the league, focusing on the top goal scorers and assist kings.
Leading Goal Scorers AKA Golden Boot
Scoring goals is what gets fans off their seats and wins games. It's the bread and butter of soccer and behind winning the title, relegation and European qualification, The Premier League Golden Boot is a hotly followed aspect of the season.
Erling Haaland has stormed onto the English football stage to say the last. This 23-year-old has banged in 50 goals in his first 50 Premier League games and chipped in with 12 assists. He took home the Golden Boot last season with 52 goals in all competitions (Radio Times). Talk about making an entrance!
And it's no surprise to see that in general the salaries of the top goal scorers are generally higher that other players.
| Season | Player | Club | Goals | Matches | Goals/Match | Penalties | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-2024 | Erling Haaland | Manchester City | 27 | 31 | 0.87 | 7 | 5 |
| 2022-2023 | Erling Haaland | Manchester City | 36 | 35 | 1.03 | 5 | 8 |
| 2021-2022 * | Mohamed Salah | Liverpool | 23 | 35 | 0.66 | 5 | 14 |
| 2021-2022* | Heung-min Son | Tottenham Hotspur | 23 | 35 | 0.66 | 0 | 9 |
| 2020-2021 | Harry Kane | Tottenham Hotspur | 23 | 35 | 0.66 | 4 | 14 |
| 2019-2020 | Jamie Vardy | Leicester City | 23 | 35 | 0.66 | 4 | 5 |
Most Assists
Goals might steal the spotlight, but assists are the unsung heroes. Setting up a goal is just as crucial. In general, a decent number of assists per season is 10-15 assists with corner takers and wingers often clocking up the most due to their role in providing for strikers.
Over the past 3 Premier League seasons the standout assist machines are Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne, averaging 11+ assists per season.
Here is the table of players ordered by total assists over the last three seasons, from most to least:
| Player | Total Assists | Seasons Played | Average Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mohamed Salah | 35 | 3 | 11.67 |
| Kevin De Bruyne | 26 | 2 | 13.00 |
| Ollie Watkins | 13 | 1 | 13.00 |
| Leandro Trossard | 12 | 1 | 12.00 |
| Trent Alexander-Arnold | 12 | 1 | 12.00 |
| Cole Palmer | 11 | 1 | 11.00 |
| Michael Olise | 11 | 1 | 11.00 |
| Bukayo Saka | 11 | 1 | 11.00 |
| Andy Robertson | 10 | 1 | 10.00 |
| Mason Mount | 10 | 1 | 10.00 |
| Jarrod Bowen | 10 | 1 | 10.00 |
| Harvey Barnes | 10 | 1 | 10.00 |
| Morgan Gibbs-White | 10 | 1 | 10.00 |
| Anthony Gordon | 10 | 1 | 10.00 |
| Pascal Groß | 10 | 1 | 10.00 |
| Brennan Johnson | 10 | 1 | 10.00 |
| Son Heung-Min | 10 | 1 | 10.00 |
| Kieran Trippier | 10 | 1 | 10.00 |
These goal scorers and assist maestros are the cream of the crop in the Premier League. Their performances are driving their teams to success. Want to know more about these stars? Check out our articles on Premier League player salaries, Premier League player records, and Premier League player transfers.
Defensive Standouts
Defense is the backbone of any winning soccer team, and the Premier League is no different. Let's give a shout-out to the players who are the last line of defense, blocking shots and making tackles like it's nobody's business.
Tackle Titans
A great tackle can stop an attack in its tracks and turn the game around. Over the past three Premier League seasons, several players have distinguished themselves as top tacklers, demonstrating their defensive prowess and crucial contributions to their teams.
João Palhinha, playing for Fulham, has been the standout performer with a total of 300 tackles across two seasons, averaging an impressive 150 tackles per season. His defensive skills have been pivotal for Fulham, often disrupting the opposition's play and regaining possession.
Tyrick Mitchell of Crystal Palace has also shown remarkable consistency, with 209 tackles over two seasons, averaging 104.5 tackles per season. His ability to intercept and challenge opponents has been a significant asset for his team.
Moisés Caicedo, representing both Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea, has accumulated 191 tackles in two seasons, averaging 95.5 tackles per season. His tenacity and timing have made him a formidable force in the midfield.
Declan Rice, known for his versatility and defensive skills, has made 159 tackles over two seasons, averaging 79.5 tackles per season. His performances for West Ham United have highlighted his importance in shielding the defense and breaking up play.
Other notable mentions include João Gomes and Vinicius Souza, who, despite playing only one season each, have tallied 128 and 125 tackles, respectively. Christian Nørgaard, Emerson, and John McGinn have also made significant contributions with over 100 tackles each in their respective seasons.
| Player | Total Tackles | Seasons Played | Average Tackles |
|---|---|---|---|
| João Palhinha | 300 | 2 | 150.00 |
| Tyrick Mitchell | 209 | 2 | 104.50 |
| Moisés Caicedo | 191 | 2 | 95.50 |
| Declan Rice | 159 | 2 | 79.50 |
| João Gomes | 128 | 1 | 128.00 |
| Vinicius Souza | 125 | 1 | 125.00 |
| Christian Nørgaard | 109 | 1 | 109.00 |
| Emerson | 106 | 1 | 106.00 |
| John McGinn | 106 | 1 | 106.00 |
| Alexis Mac Allister | 99 | 1 | 99.00 |
| Idrissa Gueye | 97 | 1 | 97.00 |
| Marc Cucurella | 93 | 1 | 93.00 |
| Stuart Dallas | 93 | 1 | 93.00 |
| Antonee Robinson | 93 | 1 | 93.00 |
| Pedro Porro | 91 | 1 | 91.00 |
| Mario Lemina | 90 | 1 | 90.00 |
| Matty Cash | 89 | 1 | 89.00 |
| Tyler Adams | 89 | 1 | 89.00 |
| Casemiro | 88 | 1 | 88.00 |
| Timothy Castagne | 87 | 1 | 87.00 |
| Pascal Struijk | 84 | 1 | 84.00 |
| Kenny Tete | 83 | 1 | 83.00 |
| João Cancelo | 83 | 1 | 83.00 |
| Mohammed Salisu | 80 | 1 | 80.00 |
| Rúben Neves | 79 | 1 | 79.00 |
| Pierre-Emile Højbjerg | 78 | 1 | 78.00 |
Tackles are just one piece of the puzzle. Opta, part of Stats Perform, also looks at pass accuracy, long balls, through balls, crosses, corners, clean sheets, goals conceded, headed clearances, recoveries, duels won/lost, and more. For more on how players perform, check out our Premier League player scouting section.
These top Premier League defenders aren't just good at stopping attacks – they're crucial to their teams' success and make the Premier League's games thrilling to watch. Their defensive skills, tactical smarts, and physical toughness make them standouts in one of the toughest leagues around.
Goalkeeping Greatness
When talking about top Premier League players, goalkeepers often steal the spotlight. These guys are the last line of defense, making sure the other team doesn't score. One way to see how good they are is by looking at how many clean sheets they've kept.
Clean Sheet Champs
A "clean sheet" in soccer means the goalkeeper didn't let any goals in during a game. Getting a clean sheet takes mad skills, a solid defense, and sometimes a bit of luck.
Over the past three Premier League seasons, several goalkeepers have stood out in this regard.
Alisson Becker from Liverpool has been the top performer with a total of 42 clean sheets across three seasons, averaging 14 clean sheets per season. His consistent performances have been vital in securing Liverpool's defensive record.
Ederson of Manchester City follows closely with 41 clean sheets in three seasons, averaging approximately 13.67 clean sheets per season. His role in Manchester City's defensive setup has been critical to their success.
Emiliano Martínez, representing Aston Villa, has achieved 30 clean sheets over the three seasons, averaging 10 clean sheets per season. His reliability has provided stability for Villa's defense.
Other notable mentions include David Raya and Aaron Ramsdale, who have both shown impressive clean sheet records, contributing significantly to their respective teams.
David de Gea had an outstanding 2022/23 season with 17 clean sheets for Manchester United (making it almost unbelievable he is currently without a club!), while Hugo Lloris achieved 16 clean sheets in the 2021/22 season for Tottenham Hotspur.
| Player | Total Clean Sheets | Seasons Played | Average Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alisson Becker | 42 | 3 | 14.00 |
| Ederson | 41 | 3 | 13.67 |
| Emiliano Martínez | 30 | 3 | 10.00 |
| David Raya | 28 | 2 | 14.00 |
| Aaron Ramsdale | 26 | 2 | 13.00 |
| Nick Pope | 23 | 2 | 11.50 |
| José Sá | 22 | 2 | 11.00 |
| David de Gea | 17 | 1 | 17.00 |
| Hugo Lloris | 16 | 1 | 16.00 |
| Édouard Mendy | 14 | 1 | 14.00 |
| Jordan Pickford | 13 | 1 | 13.00 |
| Robert Sánchez | 11 | 1 | 11.00 |
| Vicente Guaita | 11 | 1 | 11.00 |
| Bernd Leno | 10 | 1 | 10.00 |
| Kepa | 9 | 1 | 9.00 |
| André Onana | 9 | 1 | 9.00 |
| Lukasz Fabianski | 8 | 1 | 8.00 |
| Mark Flekken | 7 | 1 | 7.00 |
| Neto | 7 | 1 | 7.00 |
| Guglielmo Vicario | 7 | 1 | 7.00 |
But goalkeepers do more than just block shots. They're also in charge of organizing the defense, making big saves, and even starting attacks. Having a dependable goalkeeper is super important for any team aiming for Premier League glory.
We'll keep diving into the lives of top Premier League players, looking at their salaries, records, transfers, contracts, and more. Stick around for more cool stuff about these amazing athletes.
Notable Achievements
Soccer fans, gather 'round! The Premier League is packed with talent that not only dazzles on the field but also racks up some serious hardware. Let's check out some of the top players and their impressive trophy collections.
Trophy Hoarders
When you think of the Premier League's most decorated players, a few legends come to mind. These guys have not only shown off their skills but also have a trophy cabinet that would make anyone jealous.
| Player | Major Honors | Premier League Titles | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Giggs | 13 | 13 | Manchester United |
| Kyle Walker | 16 | 5 | Manchester City |
| Phil Foden | 17 | 5 | Manchester City |
| Bernardo Silva | 21 | 5 | Manchester City |
| Mateo Kovacic | 21 | 4 | Manchester City |
Ryan Giggs, the one-club man at Manchester United, holds the record for the most Premier League titles with 13. His loyalty and impact at the club are legendary, making him a true icon in the league.
Kyle Walker, Phil Foden, and Bernardo Silva from Manchester City have also made their mark. Walker has snagged 16 major honors, including five Premier League titles. Foden, a rising star from City's academy, has already bagged 17 major honors at just 23 years old. Silva, often flying under the radar, has collected 21 major honors, including a Champions League trophy.
Then there's Mateo Kovacic, also from Manchester City, who has 21 major honors to his name, including four Champions League trophies from his time at Real Madrid and Chelsea.
These players have cemented their legacy in Premier League history. For more juicy details on the lives, careers, and achievements of these and other top Premier League players, check out our articles on player records, player contracts, and player endorsements.
