Top 5 No. 10's in the Premier League right now

So what traditionally is a number 10? Number 10 players are the attacking playmakers of their team. However, let us be very clear on the fact that these players may or may not wear the #10 jersey. They will still be the superhero who links everyone around them and instantly make everything better, they are the players who can make miracles happen from thin air.

They might not be the vociferous leaders in the dressing room but they definitely need to be the person who leads by his performance and vision when it matters the most - on the field.

Premier League has always been blessed to have had a great array of such extraordinary playmakers in Paul Scholes, Jay Jay Okocha, Frank Lampard, Paul Ince, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney and so many more.

Now, with new coaching styles in play and with 'Total Football' back in vogue the rigid boundaries about the specific role of the number 10 has diminished. They have to be comfortable with interlinking the play from both the wings as well as the centre of the pitch and also pitching in as a defender from time to time.

Let us take a look at the best number 10's in the Barclays Premier League this season.

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#1 David Silva

David Silva, the Spanish wizard who plays for Manchester City

By far the best number 10 in the league is David Silva. He is definitely one of the modern legends of the game and has been a constant source of optimism throughout his tenure in the sky blue jersey. He is one of those few players who easily morphed into any role that different managers asked of him - he was never one to be left out; be it with Mancini, Pellegrini or now with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

His chemistry with Sergio Aguero is pleasing to the eyes and will be a fable that the current batch of 'Citizens' will tell to their grandchildren. His professionalism and attitude both on and off the pitch speak volumes about him.

Last season, he finished with 9 goals and 11 assists in only 29 matches as the blue half of Manchester roared to the title. He single-handedly created 14 big chances last season and had the frontline not messed up, his stats would have looked even prettier. The magician from Spain is the backbone of City's attacking verve and without him, City never looks to pose the same threat.

Silva is among the coolest heads in the game and despite enduring many rough tackles, he is yet to react in a manner which makes him see the Red Card.

He has started this season in the same manner as he already has a goal in his bag. In the 3 games he played so far, he has already completed almost 200 passes at an astonishing accuracy of over 90%.

If this continues like this, he will continue to fill in the huge void left by De Bruyne's injury this summer and come the business end of the season, he might very well be in the running for player of the season award.

#2. Mesut Ozil

Mesut Ozil, the Arsenal playmaker

Arguably, one of the most gifted players to ever play in his position, Mesut Ozil, is easily one of the first names that strikers want on the team-sheet. He sees empty spaces that not even the best can see and his link-up play is just as delicious.

Though some believe that he has a habit of crumbling under pressure when it comes to performing against the big clubs but that it is not always the case.

And when the German with Turkish roots does come to the party he makes opposition defenders look like teenage boys playing a man's game. He is every striker's dream partner with his pass-first instinct giving the striker enough opportunities to put their name on the score sheet.

Last season was a pretty ordinary one by his standards, yet he finished with 4 goals and 8 assists in the 26 games he played for the gunners. He was the most constant source of attacking threat where the likes of Iwobi and Sanchez just failed to stamp their authority. And with Lacazette taking time to adjust to his new surroundings there was nothing much the German wizard could have done differently.

Don't forget that this is the person who has 50 assists already to his name till date in his short span at Arsenal. Add to that the 27 goals he has scored in less than 150 appearances and any team will gladly shell out a fortune for his services.

#3 Dele Alli

Dele Alli, the emerging playmaker from Tottenham

The kid from MK Dons is suddenly the modern manager's dream number 10. He could do everything on a football pitch - make killer passes, link up the play, interchange positions with the wingers, seamlessly bring the ball from the heart of midfield, can beat players on a dribble, score awesome goals and most importantly can create his unique celebrations.

Defensively, Alli presses the opposition players like there is no tomorrow and can be often seen giving a helping hand to the back three when they are in any sort of pressure. His lung-bursting runs from the edge of the box can easily beat the best of defenders and he continues to be a menace in the opposition half.

He makes the core of the Spurs attacking line-up along with Kane, Eriksen, and Son. Among the fans, his popularity continues to grow as his celebrations continue to go viral on the internet.

On the football pitch, he is a constant threat to the opposition as was proven by the fact that he finished a joint 5th in the most assists category with 10 assists. The 22-year-old England superstar has already scored 38 goals and 28 assists in his 110 caps for the spurs. And with Alli still to reach his prime, the future could not be any rosier.

#4 Juan Mata

He never fails to amaze

Juan Mata has been the backbone of all the teams he has played in the better part of the past decade. Interestingly, he still remains a fan favourite at both Chelsea and Manchester United and continues to be a role model both on and off the pitch.

Despite the likes of Lukaku, Martial, Rashford, Sanchez among others in the attacking ranks at United he continues to find a place in Mourinho's front three. He is a vital cog that the manager trusts almost exclusively on the pitch.

Although he has lost a yard in his step he continues to make up for his deficiency with his excellent positioning both on and off the ball. Nothing escapes his eyes and he has an uncanny ability to make a killer pass leading to goals out of nothing.

He might not play expansive football as the likes of Silva but with his simple passings and playing the game to his advantage, the Spaniard to put his compatriot's number to shame with 48 goals and 49 assists in the 223 games he has played in the Premier League. He is closing in on a double half century and will be the only current number 10 in Premier League to achieve this feat.

#5 James Maddison

James Maddison, a star in the making

James Maddison is the new kid in the Premier League. Making a step up from Championship, he has already caught everyone's eye this summer with his electric displays at Leicester.

In his short 4 game stint at the King Power Stadium, he has already scored a goal and provided the assist leading to the infamous Allison goal. Don't forget the fact that Leicester has already played two clubs from the big 6 this season and despite that the 21-year-old has remained unperturbed by the fact of playing against the world-class players.

He has shone brighter than almost all his compatriots this season and should he maintain his form he can soon be turning out for the Three Lions. His recent displays have certainly caught the eyes of the FA and he has been called up for the Under 21 England Squad in this international break.

He is a deadly Marksman from dead ball situations, glimpses of which were already on display during the opening four matches. Last season, Maddison scored a whopping 14 goals and made 8 assists as Norwich tried to crawl back into the Premier League.

But his coming in has certainly been a gain for Leicester as they have truly stumbled upon a gem who could be the next big thing in the English Football.