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For the first time in the Premier League’s illustrious history, three teams are yet to be beaten after the culmination of the first 10 games. Liverpool and Manchester City are still separated by goal difference while Chelsea lie a couple of points behind in third. Arsenal are back in contention for the Champions League spots, rounding off the top four.
Like every season, all the top teams have some in-form players who have spearheaded their challenge. While football will forever remain the ultimate team game, having a player or two capable of turning the game on its head is an asset any side would love to boast of.
As expected, the big players such as Eden Hazard, Mohamed Salah, Sergio Aguero and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have come to the party. However, there have been several players who have exceeded expectations unexpectedly, catapulting their sides to the upper trenches of the table.
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Through this article, we would look at 5 such players who have enjoyed a stellar run and deserve praise for their performances this season.
Without wasting further time, let us take a look at them individually:
#5 Luke Shaw (Manchester United)
Luke Shaw was signed by Manchester United a few years back and he was expected to fill the void created by the legendary Patrice Evra. However, numerous injuries led to his development being stalled for quite some time. Before the 2018-19 season began, many believed that Shaw could well fall into the ‘unfulfilled potential’ category.
On several occasions in the last two seasons, Shaw had been the subject of criticism from his manager, Jose Mourinho. However, on the sheer weight of performances, he seems to have finally won the trust of his Portuguese manager. At this juncture, Shaw is one of Manchester United’s most in-form players.
Shaw’s career slowed down due to injuries but there is a feeling that his career could get reignited by the time this season comes to a close. The left-back has been sensational at both ends of the pitch and also grabbed his first league goal in the process.
However, the biggest positive has been his 1v1 defending. Manchester United have major problems at the back at this moment, but fortunately, Shaw isn’t one of them. If he continues performing at a similar level, he could finally bethe player he was touted to become all those years ago.
A season that started with major question marks over Shaw is quickly turning into a season where he finally finds the code to unlock his vast potential.
#4 Ross Barkley (Chelsea)
Ross Barkley was once touted as England’s brightest young footballer. However, a series of injuries and poor performances led to him losing his place in the Everton set-up. With him failing to nail down a place at Goodison Park, he moved to Chelsea in January 2018.
Barkley was used sparingly under former manager Antonio Conte and he might have regretted making the move to West London. Fast forward a few months – and he looks a man possessed under Maurizio Sarri. Using him in a role similar to Marek Hamsik, Sarri has gotten Barkley playing at his very best.
Barkley was looked upon as a back-up to Chelsea’s midfield at the start of the season. However, on the weight of his performances, he has muscled himself into the playing eleven, at the expense of Mateo Kovacic. This weekend, he was sublime against Burnley and capped his superlative display with a fantastic goal.
A majority of the English fanbase feared that Barkley would never go on to become a consistent player. Yet, this season has provided them with a timely reminder that he is is far from finished.
With returning quality performances on a weekly basis, the boy who was once heralded as the ‘future of English football’ might just have a bright future in store.
#3 Joe Gomez (Liverpool)
Virgil Van Dijk arrived in January and quickly revolutionised Liverpool’s backline with his solid and commanding presence. A leaky system suddenly transformed into one of the most water-tight defences in the land.
Despite Van Dijk masking a majority of their defensive shortcomings, one still remained: a trusted partner for the Southampton recruit.
Though Dejan Lovren was a capable defender, he was prone to making the odd mistake in a big game. Therefore, the emergence of Joe Gomez as a defensive rock this season has eased a lot of Klopp’s headaches.
The young, burly Englishman has been solid at the back and has been the perfect foil for Van Dijk. With the duo forming a formidable partnership, Liverpool’s attackers and midfielders have enjoyed more freedom going forward.
Gomez initially shot to prominence a couple of years back. However, a serious knee injury robbed him of vital playing time at Anfield. With him having seemingly put his injury problems behind him, he looks a prime contender to be a colossus at the back for club and country.
While no one ever doubted Gomez’s potential, his exponential rise this season has certainly exceeded everyone’s expectations.
#2 Ruben Neves
Wolverhampton Wanderers won the Championship in 2017-18 and booked their Premier League ticket courtesy their triumph in the second tier of English football. In the transfer window, they made some shrewd acquisitions, as the likes of Moutinho, Rui Patricio and Raul Jimenez arrived at the Molineux.
However, their biggest star this season has been their young Portuguese starlet, Ruben Neves. Neves has been scintillating alongside Moutinho in the midfield. He announced his arrival in the Premier League with a sumptuous free-kick against Everton on the opening weekend.
The midfielder has gone from strength to strength since then. Blessed with the ability to break up play and generate accurate long balls, he also earned his maiden call-up for Portugal. At 21, he still has a long way to go but the Portuguese has surely caught the league off-guard with his dazzling displays.
Wolves currently occupy a top-half spot and if Neves maintains his early season form, one can expect them to finish in the vicinity of the top ten. While he was always looked at as an encouraging prospect, no one expected him to be one of the leading midfielders in the land 10 weeks in.
#1 Callum Wilson (Bournemouth
The biggest surprise of this season have been Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth. After an impressive start, they sit just two points off the top four after the first ten weeks. While the whole team has functioned exceptionally as a unit, none have been as magnificent as Callum Wilson.
The English striker hasn’t enjoyed the rub of the green when it comes to injuries. However, this season, he has managed to stay injury-free and has duly reaped the rewards off it.
After 10 games, Wilson boasts of an extraordinary return of 5 goals and 4 assists. With Howe’s troops playing an expansive brand of attacking football, Wilson would get more chances to improve his tally. And if his early season form is any indicator, one can expect him to get around 15 league goals for Bournemouth this term.
While Wilson has always been looked upon as a bright youngster, not many expected him to possess such mind-boggling numbers after more than a quarter of the season.
Bournemouth have been the surprise package this season and hence it is only fitting that Wilson tops our list of young starlets who have exceeded expectations this season.
