'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
We've had a remarkable season of Premier League football so far. Both the Manchester clubs started well, but halfway through the season, Manchester City have breezed past their opponents and have a 15-point lead at the top of the table. The battle for the top 4 is still pretty intriguing though.
The Premier League has produced some brilliant individual performances over the last 5 months. Players like Kevin de Bruyne, Harry Kane, Mo Salah and Raheem Sterling have done well in front of goal while John Stones, Phil Jones, James Tarkowski, and Andreas Christensen have impressed at the back.
On that note, let's have a look at the best XI of the 2017/18 Premier League so far.
Formation: 4-3-3
Goalkeeper
Trending
David de Gea (Manchester United)
Manchester United's David De Gea gets the nod in goal after a stellar 2017/18 campaign so far. Arguably the best goalkeeper in the world, De Gea has at times looked unbeatable, though Steven Defour would disagree.
He single-handedly rescued Manchester United on multiple occasions this season. His mind-boggling double-save against Arsenal on matchday 15 was simply the best we have seen from a goalkeeper in recent times.
The 27-year-old has started all the games for Manchester United in Premier League this season and has kept 10 clean sheets so far. He has made a total of 70 saves in 20 league appearances and the primary reason why United are at no.2 in the Premier League table.
Defence
Left-back: Marcos Alonso (Chelsea)
Marcos Alonso has replicated last season's impressive performances. A constant presence for Chelsea at the back, Alonso single-handedly rescued Chelsea against Tottenham on matchday 2 and has been brilliant throughout the campaign.
He started all the Premier League games this season and has scored 5 times for the defending champions. More than the goals and assists, Alonso's work rate, and defensive awareness have been phenomenal. He averages 2 tackles per game in addition to 9 clean sheets.
Centre-back: Nicolas Otamendi (Manchester City)
One of the key reasons why Manchester City have the best defensive record in Premier League. The Argentine is one of the best ball-playing defenders in world football right now. He is comfortable in possession, a trait Pep Guardiola wants in his defenders.
Otamendi has made 1,606 passes in Premier League this season, which is more than any player in the League this season. He chips in with important goals as well and has four to his name already this season. The Sky Blues have only conceded 12 goals this season, least in the league so far, thanks to the commanding presence of the 29-year-old.
Centre-back: Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea)
A right-back by nature, Cesar Azpilicueta has been the most consistent Chelsea payer the last two seasons. Playing on the right in a 3-man defence, the Spaniard has been a key player for Antonio Conte.
With a goal, 6 assists, 43 crosses, and 69 accurate long balls from 19 appearances, Azpilicueta has been one of the most creative defenders in the Premier League this season. With 9 clean sheets and tackle success % of 77, he has given a stable base for Chelsea to build their attacking play.
Right-back: Kyle Walker (Manchester City)
Pep Guardiola paid approximately £50 million for Kyle Walker in the summer and it turned out to be a masterstroke from the Spaniard. Walker's pace and world rate have been phenomenal and he is easily the best fullback in the country right now. He is physically strong and equally good in both defence and attack.
Pep Guardiola hailed him as the best right-back in the world, ahead of City's clash with Spurs on matchday 18. When all the focus in on City's attacking prowess, Walker has silently developed into one of Pep's most trusted players.
Midfield
CM: David Silva (Manchester City)
The Spaniard's vision, selection of pass, and the weight of delivery are simply outstanding, but then again, where were they not?
David Silva has scored 5 times and assisted 8 more in 18 Premier League appearances so far this season. With a pass accuracy of 89% and 2.3 key passes per game, Silva is one of the most gifted creative players the Premier League has seen. He is the fulcrum behind City's attacking play and a nightmare to defend against.
CDM: Fernandinho (Manchester City)
Every successful side needs a solid defensive midfielder. Though Fernandinho does not grab the headlines likes de Bruyne or Sterling, his importance to Pep Guardiola's side cannot be understated. He is excellent in passing, aerial battles, through balls, crossing, and breaking up play.
With approximately 2 tackles and 1.5 interceptions per game, the Brazilian has been one of the most reliable midfielders in the Premier League this season. The 32-year-old is also crucial to City's attacking play. with 2 goals and 3 assists, Fernandinho is key to City's possession-based football.
CM: Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City)
The Belgian is rated by many as the best player in the Premier League. Since his Manchester City debut, no player in the Premier League has assisted more goals (37) than him. With six goals and nine assists, De Bruyne has been central to Manchester City's attacking play.
He is the best passer in Premier League by a country mile and his pass to Leroy Sane for City’s second goal in the 7-2 win over Stoke is the best pass we have seen all season. His work rate is excellent and he covers a lot of ground. A supreme talent.
Forwards
RF: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Salah has been hailed as the best signing of the summer transfer window. The 25-year old is excellent in passing, dribbling, and is very agile on and off the ball. He has developed into one of the most prolific finishers at Liverpool.
With 15 goals and 5 assists, Salah has played a hand in more goals than any player in the league. He possesses a thunderous left foot and has a shooting accuracy of 52%. Jurgen Klopp has brought the best out of the ex-Chelsea man and the Egyptian is already a superstar in the Premier League, just 5 months after his return.
CF: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
Is he the best striker in the world right now? Maybe. Harry Kane has been the most prolific and consistent striker in Premier League for the last three and a half seasons. He has scored at least 20 goals in each of his last 3 seasons and has already hit 18 this term.
He averages close to a goal per game and equally good with both feet. Kane is stronger than he looks, possesses great close control and scores from every possible angle. He is excellent in one-on-one situations and hold-up play. He keeps getting better every game and at only 24 years of age, we are yet to see the best of Harry Kane. Oh, and he did outscore Messi and Lewandowski this season, so, perhaps he is the best striker in the world!
LF: Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
With 13 goals and 4 assists, Sterling is one of the most improved players in Premier League this season. Deployed on the left in a 3-man attack and at times as a false 9, Raheem Sterling has terrorised defences throughout the season and is only behind Harry Kane and Mo Salah in the 2017/18 goal scorers list.
Though extremely talented, Sterling struggled for consistency throughout his career but the arrival of Pep has changed everything. His decision making and finishing gotten a lot better this season. He is blessed with blistering pace and at only 23 years of age, he has all the potential to become one of the best in the world.
Bench
Nick Pope (Burnley), Harry Maguire (Leicester City), James Tarkowski (Burnley), Antonio Valencia (Manchester United), Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City), Leroy Sane (Manchester City), Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
Manager
Pep Guardiola (Manchester City)
The success of Pep Guardiola as a coach is not in his ability to spot and attract great talents but in his ability to extract the best out of his players. There no denying the fact that Pep spent a lot of money in the transfer market but on the other hand, he has transformed some of the players like Otamendi, Sterling, and Fernandinho into world-class talents.
The Spaniard was trophyless last season for the first time in his career but a year later, he has built a squad that can be the best in the world. There is depth in the squad and The Citizens are yet to lose a game in the Premier League this season.
