The Premier League is the most competitive league in the world. As such, clubs are extremely cautious before spending huge amounts of money on a particular player, more so in recent years.
Players have to be consistent and fit in order to succeed in the Premier League. While mercurial talents have found a home in the English top-flight, they are very rare.
Consistent players are rare commodities. To be able to produce the same level of performance on a regular basis every week is not easy. It's not surprising then that such players cost huge sums of money both in fees and wages.
With that in mind, here's a look at the five most consistent footballers in the Premier League:
#5 N'Golo Kante (Chelsea)
After an injury-riddled and subdued 2019-20 season, N'Golo Kante was once again at his very best for Chelsea during the last campaign.
One of the best midfielders in the world, Kante proved essential as Chelsea won the Champions League last season. The France international has established himself as a highly consistent, defensively astute and dynamic midfielder with good stamina and the ability to read the game well.
Kante joined Chelsea in 2016 after winning the Premier League with Leicester City for £32.2 million. Apart from last season's Champions League success with Chelsea, he's won a Premier League title and a Europa League trophy. The 30-year old was one of the best players at the 2018 World Cup, which France won.
#4 Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
Arguably the best midfielder in world football, Kevin De Bruyne has constantly displayed his qualities in the Premier League since joining Manchester City from Wolfsburg for £55 million in 2015.
A world-class creator, De Bruyne is renowned for his excellent passing and technical ability. The Belgium international is the most important player for arguably the best team in Europe. Manchester City have often struggled when De Bruyne has missed games.
The 30-year old has won three Premier League titles with the Sky Blues. Apart from that, he has also been named the Premier League Player of the Season for 2019-20, and has twice won the PFA Players' Player of the Year.
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#3 Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
Bruno Fernandes' Euro 2020 might not have gone well, but the midfielder remains Manchester United's talisman and most important player.
Fernandes was the best midfielder in the Premier League last season and he's gotten off to an excellent start this season. The Portugal international joined Manchester United from Sporting CP in January 2020 for nearly £68 million. He is already regarded by many fans as one of the club's best signings in recent years.
Fernandes has provided creativity, goals and leadership from midfield and has been credited with galvanizing Manchester United. The 26-year-old scored a hat-trick against Leeds United in their opening game of the 2021-22 Premier League season.
#2 Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
The Harry Kane saga continues to rumble on, with Manchester City keen to make the striker a part of their squad.
The England international is one of the most potent strikers in world football and was the best player in the Premier League last season. Kane has made his ambitions clear and, with the striker keen to get his hands on silverware, is willing to leave his current club in order to do so.
The 28-year old has been dominating headlines in recent weeks, with Manchester City reportedly willing to spend a three-figure fee to sign him. Tottenham Hotspur, understandably, are unwilling to let go of their superstar, who is a product of the club's academy.
#1 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Mohamed Salah has been sensational for Liverpool ever since joining the club from Roma in 2017 for nearly £37 million.
It was slightly surprising when Liverpool spent that money to sign the forward, who had failed to impress during his time with Chelsea. However, Salah has flourished under the management of Jurgen Klopp, blossoming into a prolific goalscorer and consistently threatening opposition defences with his pace and trickery.
Salah has won the Champions League and the Premier League with Liverpool. The 29-year old is seen as one of the club's most important players and there have been suggestions that the could sign a new contract soon.
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