HONORABLE MENTIONS
Seamus Coleman (pictured to the left): The Irish right-back play this season has been so spectacular, Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher named him to their best eleven teams. The 25 years old has started all 18 games for Everton, scoring four goals and adding one assist.
Dejan Lovren: Since trading Ligue 1 for the Barclays Premier League, the Croatian centre-back has been outstanding for Southampton. In 16 starts, Lovren has scored one goal, winner against Liverpool, and added an assist. He completes 81.5 percent of his passes, wins 3.5 aerial duels per game and wins 2.2 tackles per game.
Per Mertesacker: The gigantic German has exceeded expectations this season with his exceptional passing and brilliant positioning. He completes 91.8 percent of his passes, completes 2.6 long balls per game, wins 2.8 aerial duels per game and averages 5.5 clearances per game, while committing only four fouls in 16 games.
Romelu Lukaku: Jose Mourinho’s biggest mistake of the season was sending the powerful Belgian to Everton. Together, Chelsea’s front men – Fernando Torres, Demba Ba and Samuel Eto’o – have scored five goals in 31 appearances, while Lukaku has scored eight goals in 14 appearances for Everton.
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10. Phil Jagielka: Everton has conceded only 17 goals this season, lowest in the Premier League, and their captain deserves most of the praise. Jagielka has started all 18 games this season, helping Tim Howard keep eight shutouts, one of those coming against Manchester United in early December. He completes 87 percent of his passes, completes 8.4 long balls per game, wins 3.1 aerial duels per game, and averages a staggering 9.4 clearances per game.
9. Loic Remy: On loan from Queens Park Ranger, the French international has dazzled at Newcastle United. According to Espnfc, Remy has scored 10 of Newcastle’s 29 goals; he’s also setup 2 goals. He has led the line for Alan Pardew’s team with his pace and flamboyant foot-work. His best moments of the season were his game-winners against Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur in consecutive games.
According to Whoscored, Remy averages 3.3 shots per game, completes 82.2 percent of his passes and wins 1.7 aerial duels per game.
8. Eden Hazard: Thanks to Eden Hazard, Jose Mourinho does not have to worry about his forwards inability to put the ball in the back of the net. The Belgian winger has scored seven goals and recorded four assists in his 18 appearances. The tricky midfielder has been Chelsea’s brightest player. His ability to beat defenders effortlessly – 3.6 successful dribbles per game – and have a go at goal intimidates every manager in the Premier League. He completes his passes with ease – 83.4 percent per game – and has the ability to deliver goals at a time of need.
7. Mesut Ozil: Probably the best summer signing in the Premier League. The German maestro has rejuvenated the Gunners, and has fans believing that their team’s trophy drought will end at the end of the season. In 15 appearances for the North London team, the midfielder has been involved in 31 percent of the team’s goals. He has been voted Man of the Match three times, he supplies three key passes per game and completes 87.1 percent of his passes.
6. Jay Rodriguez: The Southampton striker is having the time of life. He leads his team in scoring, got called-up to the England National and it looks like Arsenal and Liverpool are interested in the player. Through the first half of this season, the English forward has two more league goals than he did the entire of last season.
The 24-years-old Burnley native had the perfect Boxing Day, scoring two goals and creating one against Cardiff City.
5. Aaron Ramsey: From villain to hero, that’s the story of the Welsh international. Last season, he scored one goal and had two assists in 36 league games, this season he has 8 goals and 6 assists in 18 league games. To say he has improved is an understatement; he is more like a brand new signing.
His completes 84.3 percent of his passes, he runs tirelessly for 90 minutes and he does his part on the defensive end, averaging 3.7 tackles per game.
4. Yaya Toure: Playing against him is virtually impossible. He is big, powerful, fast, skillful and intelligent on the ball. Known as a box-to-box midfielder, the Ivorian has electrified Manchester City’s fans with his clinical offensive displays.
In 18 games, the Ivorian has nine goals and three assist. He completes an astonishing 90.6 percent of his passes, averages 1.5 tackles per game, and completes 5.2 long passes per game.
3. Sergio Aguero: Just like his teammate, Yaya Toure, Aguero is unplayable. On a good day, he makes defenders question their decision to become professional footballers. The intimidating Argentine is currently sidelined, but in his 15 Premier League appearances, his statistics will frighten most defenders.
He has 13 goals, four assists, and averages 4.1 shots per game, completes 84 percent of his passes, and averages 1.7 key passes per game.
2. Wayne Rooney: Without the English forward, it is reasonable to conclude that Manchester United would not be contending for a top four position. Rooney is the engine that keeps Manchester United running. In his 16 games, Rooney has been involved in 18 of 31 league games. That’s 58 percent of Manchester United goals. With Robin Van Persie injured, I’m sure David Moyes is on his knees every night praying his ticket to the Champions League doesn't get injured.
1. Luis Suarez: In your face English FA. Suarez might not say those exact words, but his 19 league goals sure do. Since returning from the ban he received for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic, The Uruguayan forward has been unstoppable. He is averaging 1.5 goals per game, as helps Liverpool stay in the top four.
Without Daniel Sturridge and Steven Gerrard, Saurez has stepped up his game, winning nine Man of the Match awards. He averages 6.3 shots per game, completes 3.2 key passes per game and completes 76.6 percent of his passes.
Seamus Coleman (pictured to the left): The Irish right-back play this season has been so spectacular, Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher named him to their best eleven teams. The 25 years old has started all 18 games for Everton, scoring four goals and adding one assist.
Dejan Lovren: Since trading Ligue 1 for the Barclays Premier League, the Croatian centre-back has been outstanding for Southampton. In 16 starts, Lovren has scored one goal, winner against Liverpool, and added an assist. He completes 81.5 percent of his passes, wins 3.5 aerial duels per game and wins 2.2 tackles per game.
Per Mertesacker: The gigantic German has exceeded expectations this season with his exceptional passing and brilliant positioning. He completes 91.8 percent of his passes, completes 2.6 long balls per game, wins 2.8 aerial duels per game and averages 5.5 clearances per game, while committing only four fouls in 16 games.
Romelu Lukaku: Jose Mourinho’s biggest mistake of the season was sending the powerful Belgian to Everton. Together, Chelsea’s front men – Fernando Torres, Demba Ba and Samuel Eto’o – have scored five goals in 31 appearances, while Lukaku has scored eight goals in 14 appearances for Everton.
TOP TEN
10. Phil Jagielka: Everton has conceded only 17 goals this season, lowest in the Premier League, and their captain deserves most of the praise. Jagielka has started all 18 games this season, helping Tim Howard keep eight shutouts, one of those coming against Manchester United in early December. He completes 87 percent of his passes, completes 8.4 long balls per game, wins 3.1 aerial duels per game, and averages a staggering 9.4 clearances per game.
9. Loic Remy: On loan from Queens Park Ranger, the French international has dazzled at Newcastle United. According to Espnfc, Remy has scored 10 of Newcastle’s 29 goals; he’s also setup 2 goals. He has led the line for Alan Pardew’s team with his pace and flamboyant foot-work. His best moments of the season were his game-winners against Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur in consecutive games.
According to Whoscored, Remy averages 3.3 shots per game, completes 82.2 percent of his passes and wins 1.7 aerial duels per game.
8. Eden Hazard: Thanks to Eden Hazard, Jose Mourinho does not have to worry about his forwards inability to put the ball in the back of the net. The Belgian winger has scored seven goals and recorded four assists in his 18 appearances. The tricky midfielder has been Chelsea’s brightest player. His ability to beat defenders effortlessly – 3.6 successful dribbles per game – and have a go at goal intimidates every manager in the Premier League. He completes his passes with ease – 83.4 percent per game – and has the ability to deliver goals at a time of need.
7. Mesut Ozil: Probably the best summer signing in the Premier League. The German maestro has rejuvenated the Gunners, and has fans believing that their team’s trophy drought will end at the end of the season. In 15 appearances for the North London team, the midfielder has been involved in 31 percent of the team’s goals. He has been voted Man of the Match three times, he supplies three key passes per game and completes 87.1 percent of his passes.
6. Jay Rodriguez: The Southampton striker is having the time of life. He leads his team in scoring, got called-up to the England National and it looks like Arsenal and Liverpool are interested in the player. Through the first half of this season, the English forward has two more league goals than he did the entire of last season.
The 24-years-old Burnley native had the perfect Boxing Day, scoring two goals and creating one against Cardiff City.
5. Aaron Ramsey: From villain to hero, that’s the story of the Welsh international. Last season, he scored one goal and had two assists in 36 league games, this season he has 8 goals and 6 assists in 18 league games. To say he has improved is an understatement; he is more like a brand new signing.
His completes 84.3 percent of his passes, he runs tirelessly for 90 minutes and he does his part on the defensive end, averaging 3.7 tackles per game.
4. Yaya Toure: Playing against him is virtually impossible. He is big, powerful, fast, skillful and intelligent on the ball. Known as a box-to-box midfielder, the Ivorian has electrified Manchester City’s fans with his clinical offensive displays.
In 18 games, the Ivorian has nine goals and three assist. He completes an astonishing 90.6 percent of his passes, averages 1.5 tackles per game, and completes 5.2 long passes per game.
3. Sergio Aguero: Just like his teammate, Yaya Toure, Aguero is unplayable. On a good day, he makes defenders question their decision to become professional footballers. The intimidating Argentine is currently sidelined, but in his 15 Premier League appearances, his statistics will frighten most defenders.
He has 13 goals, four assists, and averages 4.1 shots per game, completes 84 percent of his passes, and averages 1.7 key passes per game.
2. Wayne Rooney: Without the English forward, it is reasonable to conclude that Manchester United would not be contending for a top four position. Rooney is the engine that keeps Manchester United running. In his 16 games, Rooney has been involved in 18 of 31 league games. That’s 58 percent of Manchester United goals. With Robin Van Persie injured, I’m sure David Moyes is on his knees every night praying his ticket to the Champions League doesn't get injured.
1. Luis Suarez: In your face English FA. Suarez might not say those exact words, but his 19 league goals sure do. Since returning from the ban he received for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic, The Uruguayan forward has been unstoppable. He is averaging 1.5 goals per game, as helps Liverpool stay in the top four.
Without Daniel Sturridge and Steven Gerrard, Saurez has stepped up his game, winning nine Man of the Match awards. He averages 6.3 shots per game, completes 3.2 key passes per game and completes 76.6 percent of his passes.