Striker
Sergio Aguero
Was there a shadow of a doubt?
The Argentine striker has had his doubters over the past few seasons and rightly so. He was not scoring as much and looked lethargic at times. But, after Agüero took the final few weeks of last season off to make a visit to Guardiola’s faithful doctor Ramon Cugat for some long-overdue knee surgery, he has looked much sharper and hungrier.
Aguero has scored 5 goals in 8 appearances and scored a hattrick in Manchester City's 6-1 mauling of Huddersfield. The main reason why Aguero gets the nod over his counterparts is his contribution to the build-up play. Having embraced Guardiola’s philosophy, the Argentine has added new dimensions to his game – his xA (expected goals off a shot/pass from a teammate) per 90 has increased to 0.48 from 0.25, for example – and remains the most devastating striker in the league. He also tops xG and post-shot xG (goal expectation rate) metrics and it won't be a surprise if he bags his second golden boot this season
Honourable Mentions
Aleksandr Mitrovic
Fulham has conceded 21 goals this season, the most by any team in the Premier League this season. While goals have flown into their own goal there is one man who is responsible for goals up front. Scoring 5 out of the 9 goals Fulham has scored, Aleksandr Mitrovic has made his return to England's top league in style.
The 6ft 2 in striker is a traditional no.9, using his height to nod the ball on to quick wingers or to score goals. He has won 38 aerial battles and 3 of his goals have come from headers. The Serbian has grown under Slaviša Jokanović over the past two years and has been vital in Fulham's promotion to the Premier League. Can the Serbian ensure that The Cottagers stay in the top league for another year? if he continues his scoring spree, he sure can.
Alexandre Lacazette
Unai Emery didn't start Lacazette in the first three games of the campaign including two big games against Chelsea and Manchester City. Many fans were baffled and urged their new manager to play both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette together.
The former Sevilla manager was able to come up with a tactic to play both explosive strikers together. Aubameyang, however, would have to fill in on the right flank. But, the result was seen in a very short period of time. Both Aubameyang and Lacazette scored as Arsenal beat Cardiff 3-2
While Aubameyang has himself had a decent season till now scoring 4 goals and providing an assist, the French striker has grabbed all the attention. He looks much sharper and clinical than anyone on the team and his hunger to score is almost second to none.
He has had 3.24 shots every 90 minutes and an xG of 2.29, the highest for a regular Premier League starter in Arsenal. With the Arsenal talisman often being left out of the French national side, he will hope to prove Deschamps wrong by excelling this season and ensuring a top 4 finish for the gunners.