by As 2023 draws to a close, Telegraph Sport will be assessing Britain’s 30 best players across a range of sports this week. On Monday it started with women’s football and now it’s the turn of men’s football.
To make the top 30, players must be currently playing for a British club.
Kamara is arguably the most underrated player in the league. Signed by Steven Gerrard on a free transfer in the summer of 2022, the French midfielder has been fundamental to Villa’s progress under Unai Emery. Strong, intelligent, technically assured – and still only 24 years old.
Van de Ven was one of the signings of the season and would have been much higher on this list had he not suffered a serious injury in November. The 22-year-old’s recovery speed allows Spurs to play a high defensive line.
Another player who would be much higher on our list if he stays fit. Neto assisted seven goals in his first 10 games of the campaign and looked to be back to his best after persistent injury problems in recent years. A hamstring issue set him back again.
27 – Alisson Becker (Liverpool)
Alisson remains the best goalkeeper in the league and continues to make big saves for Liverpool at big moments. The Brazilian makes mistakes from time to time but more than makes up for them with his shot stopping ability, presence and distribution.
Odegaard was near the top of this list last season but suffered an uncharacteristic drop in form at the start of this campaign. In recent weeks, however, the Arsenal captain has regained his mojo. When he plays well, Arsenal play well.
There is a reason why City wanted to sign Paqueta. A showman who creates and scores goals, but also works for his team. The Brazilian is heading towards the final, with or without West Ham.
Solanke has already scored more league goals this season than in any of his previous Premier League campaigns. Now 26, he has flourished in a team that plays with a more expansive and adventurous style. Does he have an outside chance of making it to the Euros with England?
Is there any one player as important to his team as Palhinha is to Fulham? The Portuguese midfielder has established himself as the hardest tackler in the division. Without him, Fulham would probably be relegation candidates. Unsurprisingly, Bayern Munich – and many Premier League clubs – are hoping to sign the 28-year-old.
“People haven’t understood Pascal’s level yet,” Roberto De Zerbi, Brighton’s head coach, said earlier this month. “He is very underrated as a player.”
De Zerbi’s arrival helped Gross establish himself as one of the smartest and most versatile players in the league. Now a full Germany international, he continues to go from strength to strength, even at the age of 32.
Eyebrows were raised when Newcastle spent £45 million on Gordon in January but he is now showing why Eddie Howe was so keen to bring him to the club. His standout attributes are his energy and willingness, but he is also learning to be decisive in the final third. Another player who could break into the England squad in time for the Euros.
Villa’s unexpected charge to the league title is due to the strength and intelligence of the midfield. Luiz, more than anyone, provides the platform that allows the other Villa players to shine. Arsenal tried to sign him in the past but it would take a real fee to buy him now.
Hwang was far from prolific in his first few seasons at Wolves but this year, under the management of Gary O’Neil, he has been excellent in front of goal. The South Korean international has fully deserved the new contract he signed earlier this month.
Brentford have been without Ivan Toney all season and no player has done more to fill the void than Mbeumo, who scored seven goals and registered three assists in 17 games before suffering an ankle injury earlier this month. The 24-year-old is starting to fulfill his immense potential.
The Villa captain provides his team with relentless energy and plenty of technical quality. McGinn now has a more advanced position and is flourishing there, carrying the ball forward and creating chances as well. He has already scored more goals this season than in any previous Premier League campaign.
Bowen has spent most of his career as a wide receiver but is now showing that he can excel as a striker. A brilliant finisher who terrorizes defenders with his pace and willingness to run behind him, he continues to impress David Moyes.
A sudden drop in form in December should not detract from the excellent performances Trippier has been producing this season. It contains much of what makes Newcastle such an exciting team, and few players are as accurate and decisive in their deliveries around the world.
14 – Phil Foden (Manchester City)
Foden was in and out of the team for most of last season but, this year, he has established himself as a true central player again. Now 23, Foden is no longer the academy kid with huge potential. He is a senior player, showing his quality every week.
He is the best English forward in the league, now that Harry Kane has left for Bayern Munich. Watkins is an all-around hitter who continues to improve his game each season. He can bring others into play, create goals, score them himself and is devastating when there is space behind the opposition defence.
A World Cup winning forward who perhaps doesn’t get the credit he deserves. Alvarez has cemented his place in the City team this season and has produced a consistent flow of goals and assists. At age 23, there is much more to come.
11 – Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
After a much-discussed drop in form last year, Van Dijk appears to be returning to his best this season. When fully fit, Van Dijk is a titan in Liverpool’s defense and the man who sets the tone for Jurgen Klopp’s side. A leader, winner and one of the best defenders ever in the Premier League.
Even at £40 million, the deal that brings Maddison from Leicester City to Spurs looks to be one of the smartest any club has made in recent seasons. His impact was huge – he was immediately made vice-captain – and his technical ability in midfield allowed Postecoglou to impose a new progressive style at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
It says a lot about Saliba’s importance to Arsenal that his fans wouldn’t swap him for any other defender in the division. Not even Van Dijk. With the Frenchman, Arsenal are good enough to challenge for the league title. Without it, probably not. Composed on the ball, strong in the air and quick across the ground: Saliba has it all.
Silva is fundamental at City, with and without the ball. He will never be a legendary goalscorer but the midfielder is a master of angles and movement, and his intelligence allows City to dominate games. Off the ball, he is relentless. He is becoming one of the Premier League’s greatest players, if he isn’t already.
Alexander-Arnold’s redeployment as an inverted right-back appears to have unlocked new levels in his game. The best passer in the Premier League, and a player who is becoming more and more a leader for his club. Alexander-Arnold is also developing a taste for producing decisive interventions at big moments in big games.
6 – Rodri (Manchester City)
Perhaps he is the one player that Guardiola cannot do without. City were without Rodri for three games in September and October, all three of which they lost. It happened again when they traveled to Villa earlier this month. City’s reliance on Rodri speaks volumes for his understanding of the game, defensive awareness and technical quality.
Arsenal’s “starboy” is becoming more and more effective with each passing season. Saka’s decision-making in the final third is unusual for a player still only 22, and his durability has allowed him to gradually become a key figure in Arsenal’s attack.
4 – Declan Rice (Arsenal)
The Premier League’s first £100 million deal? Rice arrived at Arsenal with a huge price tag on his head but there is little discussion of that fee now. He is defending every week with his personality and determination in midfield, and his ability to create big plays.
After playing through injury for much of last season, Son is now pain-free and at his best in a new era for Spurs. Now club captain Son is ruthless in front of goal and has set the tone for Postecoglou’s side with his intensity off the ball. Spurs will miss him badly when he leaves for the Asian Cup next month.
2 – Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
The deadliest player in the Premier League. It is perhaps fair to say that he is already the deadliest player in the Premier League. When Haaland plays, Haaland usually scores. A special talent.
Salah goes ahead of Haaland – just about – because of his overall game. The Liverpool forward creates almost as many goals as it scores. In an evolving Liverpool side, with so much change happening around him, Salah’s brilliance in the final third remains a constant.
