Who Do Fans Think Is The Key Player In Each Premier League Team?

"We cannot switch him," Pep Guardiola insisted connected nan eve of Sergio Aguero's last crippled successful a Manchester City shirt.

Four years on, do City find their fortunes tied erstwhile again to nan fittingness and shape of a lethal striker pinch unsocial attributes and singular talent?

"Without him, it would beryllium reliable to beryllium honest," Guardiola admitted aft Erling Haaland's magnificent first-half double helped City leapfrog Bournemouth pinch a 3-1 triumph connected Sunday.

Not everyone tin boast a goalscorer of Haaland's quality, but each Premier League squad has that 1 subordinate they cannot do without - beryllium it for their leadership, playmaking, aliases game-changing flair.

From nan "soul of nan team" to an "absolute warrior", present are nan Premier League's 20 cardinal players, arsenic chosen by our instrumentality writers.

Arsenal person made a superb commencement and are looking convincing successful their bid for a first Premier League title since 2003-04.

After 10 games, nan Gunners beryllium six points clear of second-placed Manchester City.

Laura Kirk-Francis from nan Latte Firm podcast has selected midfielder Declan Rice arsenic nan side's cardinal player.

"Is location thing Declan Rice can't do?" Kirk-Francis said.

"This play Rice has been imperious, not only delivering inch-perfect set-piece deliveries but now adding goals to his output.

"His transportation interest of £105m continues to look for illustration a bargain for nan Gunners."

The 26-year-old, who signed from West Ham successful 2023, has helped Arsenal to 7 cleanable sheets while making 5 extremity contributions successful nan Premier League this season.

Aston Villa waited 5 games for their first triumph of nan season, earlier a tally of 4 successive victories took them from nan relegation area up to nan apical half of nan table.

Unai Emery's broadside way third-placed Liverpool by 3 points but are 11th aft 10 games.

David Michael of My Old Man Said blog and podcast thinks Villa's cardinal subordinate is under-performing.

"Villa's squad relies connected conscionable 1 existent out-and-out striker - and he has scored conscionable erstwhile each season," Michael said.

"Ollie Watkins has agelong been praised for his all-round play, and rightly so, but he's a assurance subordinate and Villa can't spend to hold until he's 'in nan mood'.

"In a strategy that gives him nan spot and nan minutes, nan goals person to come."

The 29-year-old England striker, who is Villa's all-time starring goalscorer successful nan Premier League, has started each convention crippled for them this season.

One of 3 Premier League teams to person mislaid conscionable doubly truthful acold - leaders Arsenal are nan only squad pinch a solitary conclusion - Bournemouth's agleam commencement has put them successful nan speech for a top-four spot travel nan extremity of nan season.

The Dorset nine person 18 points aft 10 games and beryllium 5th successful nan table.

When it comes to nan astir important player, Tom Jordan of Back of nan Net podcast has small doubt.

"Currently Bournemouth's cardinal subordinate is unquestionably Antoine Semenyo," Jordan said.

"The explosive wide guardant already has six goals and 3 assists to his sanction this play and is unsurprisingly grabbing nan headlines.

"At only 25 years old, his ceiling is high.

"He tin play anyplace crossed nan beforehand line, positive he possesses some bonzer gait and powerfulness connected a accordant basis."

The Ghana international, who signed from Bristol City successful 2023, has played almost each Premier League infinitesimal for nan Cherries truthful acold this play - he was taken disconnected during added clip against Nottingham Forest.

After losing head Thomas Frank to Spurs complete nan summer, Brentford are settling successful good to their first Premier League play without him.

With 13 points, Keith Andrews' broadside are six points clear of nan relegation area and 5 points awkward of 5th aft 10 games.

Ian Westbrook of nan Beesotted podcast thinks Danish midfielder Mikkel Damsgaard is their cardinal player.

"He is nan man who makes things tick for Brentford," Westbrook said.

"His imagination and expertise to spot and play nan slayer walk is unmatched successful nan squad and if he plays well, results mostly follow."

The 25-year-old has contributed 1 extremity and 1 assistance to Brentford's Premier League run truthful far.

Inconsistent Brighton and Hove Albion person not had nan aforesaid consequence successful successive Premier League matches each season.

But aft 10 games nan Seagulls are wrong rubbing region of nan European places, 3 points down third-placed Liverpool.

Scott McCarthy of We are Brighton has picked guardant Danny Welbeck arsenic nan subordinate nan Seagulls can't spell without.

"He is nan only out-and-out striker Brighton person who is Premier League fresh until specified clip arsenic Fabian Hurzeler feels assured unleashing nan Greek teenagers [Charalampos Kostoulas and Stefanos Tzimas]," McCarthy said.

"But it is not conscionable nan scarcity of different options which makes Welbeck a cardinal player.

"When he plays good and scores goals, Brighton thin to win.

"Take statement please, Thomas Tuchel."

The 34-year-old, who past featured for England successful 2018, is playing truthful good this play location are calls for him to beryllium recalled to nan nationalist set-up.

He has six goals successful 10 Premier League appearances this play and of nan 4 games successful which Welbeck has recovered nan net, Brighton person won three.

Newly promoted Burnley whitethorn person made an uncertain commencement to life backmost successful nan Premier League but they are 3 points supra nan relegation zone.

The Clarets were among nan astir progressive Premier League teams successful nan summertime transportation window, bringing 14 caller elder players into nan squad.

Among them was Slovak goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, 36, who has been their cardinal subordinate truthful acold this season, according to Natalie Bromley of nan No Nay Never podcast.

"While nan shot world would expect america to opportunity Kyle Walker, it's difficult to spot past Martin Dubravka arsenic Burnley's cardinal subordinate this season," Bromley said.

"He's pulled retired immoderate unthinkable saves to sphere points successful cardinal relegation games and his Premier League acquisition has been vital."

Of nan 60 shots he has faced truthful acold successful nan Premier League this season, nan erstwhile Newcastle goalkeeper has saved 41 - much than 4 stops per game.

Chelsea made important unit changes aft earning silverware connected nan European and world stages during Enzo Maresca's first play arsenic manager.

After 10 games, nan Blues are seventh, level connected points pinch sixth-placed Tottenham.

Chelsea are missing a large sanction successful Cole Palmer because of injury, but Will Faulks of Chelsea News thinks 24-year-old Moises Caicedo has stepped up successful nan England player's absence.

"Cole Palmer is Chelsea's astir important player, but Moises Caicedo is moving him beautiful adjacent correct now," Faulks said.

"With Palmer out, Caicedo has moreover go an important goalscorer and creator, arsenic we saw connected Saturday wherever he efficaciously won nan crippled for nan Blues single-handedly."

The Ecuador midfielder has scored 3 goals and made 1 assistance for Chelsea this season.

After defeating Premier League champions Liverpool to triumph nan Community Shield, Crystal Palace's unbeaten commencement successful nan convention lasted until October.

The Eagles beryllium ninth pinch 16 points aft 10 games.

Alex Pewter astatine nan FYP podcast sees winger Daniel Munoz arsenic important to Palace's success.

"Daniel Munoz remains nan team's cardinal player," Pewter said.

"His stamina and scope allows Oliver Glasner's 3-4-2-1 statement to click, arsenic a genuine two-way threat.

"The truth that nan nine elected not to get a viable backup intends nan team's occurrence hinges much connected his readiness than connected different talents."

The Colombian, 29, has made 2 assists and scored 1 extremity successful nan Premier League this season.

Everton person made an inconsistent commencement to their 72nd successive play successful nan apical flight.

The Toffees beryllium 4 points supra nan relegation area successful 15th place.

Mike Richards of nan Unholy Trinity Everton Podcast believes that Manchester City loanee Jack Grealish is cardinal to boosting their convention position.

"It has to beryllium Jack Grealish," Richards said.

"He is perpetually singled retired for 'special treatment' by nan guidance owed to his value and value to Everton successful an attacking sense.

"He strikes a consciousness of fearfulness into opponents and arsenic he has proven already, his productivity stands retired from nan remainder of nan squad."

The 30-year-old England world has made 4 assists and scored 1 extremity truthful acold successful this Premier League campaign.

A tally of 4 Premier League defeats has near Fulham among nan teams trying not to autumn into nan relegation zone.

After 10 games, they are 4 points clear of 18th place.

Drew Heatley astatine Fulhamish has nominated full-back Ryan Sessegnon arsenic nan side's irreplaceable player.

"He has recovered himself thrust into nan first XI, mostly astatine left-back, arsenic Antonee Robinson struggles pinch his return from summertime surgery," Heatley said.

"But he has quickly made himself indispensable, chalking up 2 goals successful nan process."

The Englishman, 25, has achieved a walk completion complaint of 73% complete 9 Premier League appearances this season, according to shot stat database FBref.

Leeds' commencement to their first play backmost successful nan Premier League has been mixed.

After 10 games, nan Whites are 4 points clear of nan relegation area successful 16th place.

Adonis Storr of nan Roaring Peacock believes guardant Noah Okafor is nan subordinate who makes nan biggest quality for Daniel Farke's side.

"Leeds person struggled successful attacking areas this play but Okafor has flair and creativity," Storr said.

"It will beryllium captious for Leeds' chances of endurance to support him fresh and get him firing consistently."

With 2 goals, nan Swiss 25-year-old is Leeds' associated apical scorer, level pinch centre-half Joe Rodon.

Liverpool's title defence began connected a beardown footing, winning each 5 of their opening games earlier a tally of 4 defeats knocked them down nan standings.

The Premier League champions beryllium third, 7 points adrift of leaders Arsenal.

Dominik Szoboszlai is their cardinal player, according to Jordan Chamberlain of Empire of nan Kop.

"He's been nan champion of an inconsistent bunch this season," Chamberlain said.

"Physically incredible, Szoboszlai useful tirelessly and has flair connected nan ball, too.

"Arne Slot should play him successful midfield [all nan time], not astatine right-back."

The Hungarian, 25, has made 2 extremity contributions successful this Premier League campaign.

After a shaky start, Manchester City are six points down leaders Arsenal.

The 10-time convention champions are successful 2nd spot aft 10 games.

According to Freddie Pye of City Xtra, there's only 1 man successful nan framework for cardinal subordinate astatine City.

"With much goals than each different Manchester City players' goals tally mixed crossed competitions, is location thing other that needs to beryllium said astir Erling Haaland's value correct now?" Pye said.

"Keep him fresh and firing successful beforehand of extremity pinch nan correct service, and we could beryllium seeing a silverware-laden 2026 astatine nan Etihad Stadium."

No 1 has scored much Premier League goals than nan Norwegian 25-year-old this season, his 13-goal haul much than double nan adjacent champion scorers.

Manchester United are uncovering their hit nether Ruben Amorim aft they ended his first play astatine nan helm successful 15th place.

They are eighth pinch 17 points but are only 2 points down second-placed Manchester City.

Alex Turk astatine Turk Talks FC has suggested that Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, 33, is nan 1 subordinate that Manchester United can't do without.

"Bruno Fernandes is nan header prima and Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha are nan caller shiny toys, but Casemiro is nan psyche of this team," said Turk.

"United person conceded 18 goals this season, and he's only been connected nan transportation for 5 of them.

"Not to mention he's getting successful connected nan attacking act, pinch 4 extremity contributions successful his past 5 appearances."

Newcastle's patchy shape - peculiarly distant from location - has confined Eddie Howe's broadside to nan bottommost half of nan table.

The Magpies beryllium 13th pinch 12 points aft 10 games.

Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali has been chosen by Charlotte Robson of True Faith: Newcastle United podcast arsenic their astir important player.

"I don't deliberation you tin look past Sandro Tonali astatine Newcastle," Robson said.

"I've ne'er seen a amended midfielder play for my nine - his method expertise coupled pinch his unthinkable activity complaint has saved america respective times this play already.

"That he has signed until 2029 astatine slightest is simply a immense boon for Newcastle."

The 25-year-old has made much progressive passes than immoderate different Newcastle player successful nan Premier League this season, according to shot stat database FBref.

Now connected their 3rd head of nan season, Forest person made a dismal commencement to 2025-26.

Winless since their opening-day triumph against Brentford, Sean Dyche's broadside are 19th, 4 points supra bottommost spot and 4 points disconnected safety.

Pat Riddell of nan Famous Club has picked 24-year-old afloat backmost Neco Williams arsenic Forest's cardinal player.

"It's been a unspeakable commencement to nan play for Nottingham Forest which makes this rather an easy choice," Riddell said.

"Neco Williams has had his critics successful his 3 seasons astatine nan City Ground but this twelvemonth he's been an absolute champion successful nan side.

"The Welshman ever gives 100%, is up and down whichever helping he's picked to play connected and manages to onslaught and take sides pinch adjacent ability.

"Commitment, fearlessness and determination mean he's easy 1 of nan first names connected nan squad sheet."

The Welsh world has played each Premier League infinitesimal for Forest this season, and has scored 1 goal.

Back successful nan Premier League for nan first clip successful 8 years, Sunderland person impressed.

With 18 points from their first 10 games, nan Black Cats are fourth.

Gavin Henderson of Roker Report sees Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka arsenic their astir important player.

"Sunderland person taken nan Premier League by large wind this season, but nan man starring nan complaint has undoubtedly been our caller captain," Henderson said.

"Xhaka embodies professionalism and, importantly, determination.

"Sunderland are not contented pinch finishing successful nan bottommost three, and that's because of nan mentality Xhaka has helped to instill connected and disconnected nan pitch.

"An absolute warrior."

The 33-year-old has made 3 assists while helping Sunderland to 4 cleanable sheets successful nan Premier League.

Tottenham Hotspur are building aft a play of mixed successes nether erstwhile head Ange Postecoglou.

After 10 games, Thomas Frank's broadside are sixth pinch 17 points.

Ali Speechly of Women of nan Lane believes centre-back Cristian Romero, 27, is nan side's astir valuable player.

"Haters will mobility his temperament but existent ones cognize nan Argentinian World Cup victor is successful control," Speechly said.

"One half of 1 of nan champion centre-back pairings successful nan league, 'Cuti' tin besides outpouring Spurs into onslaught pinch thrilling through-balls.

"As nan squad finds its feet nether Thomas Frank, our skipper must proceed to lead by example."

The Argentine has contributed to 3 of Spurs' cleanable sheets this season, having missed 2 games pinch an adductor injury.

West Ham fired erstwhile head Graham Potter aft taking 3 points from their first 5 games.

Against Newcastle connected Sunday, West Ham claimed their first triumph astatine location and first nether caller head Nuno Espirito Santo which took them up to 18th place, 3 points adrift of safety.

In nan Premier Legaue this season, nary West Ham subordinate has made much extremity contributions than nan 28-year-old, who has captained his nine since nan commencement of 2024-25.

Wolverhampton Wanderers grounded to get a triumph from their first 10 games of nan Premier League season, starring to nan sacking of erstwhile head Vitor Pereira.

With 2 points, Wolves are bottommost of nan array successful 20th place.

In position of their astir important player, Brazilian midfielder Joao Gomes has nan ballot of Dazzling Dave of Always Wolves.

"He shows grit, determination and heart," Dave said.

"He battles and controls midfield, mounting nan reside pinch power and bite.

"Strong successful nan tackle and fierce successful duels, he wins 2nd balls and keeps play moving.

"He besides leads connected nan pitch, driving standards and rallying team-mates."

The 24-year-old has made 51 progressive passes this Premier League play - much than immoderate different Wolves player.