Best Premier League players ranked 2024
Our definitive list of the best Premier League players around in 2024 – do you agree with us?
Premier League fans get to see the world's best footballers showcase their talents every week.
While Saudi Arabian sides continue to chuck money at ageing players, the Premier League is still the place to be.
The English top flight is arguably more competitive than ever, with new sides breaking into the top four to snatch Champions League football and newly-promoted teams putting up more of a fight to stay up.
It's a tough task compiling a list of the Premier League's best players given all the quality on show, but we'll do our best.
We've looked across all positions and based our picks on several factors including trophies, historical performances and recent displays. We've also tried to avoid being swayed by short-term dips and bursts of form.
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Some of the players on this list failed to hit their usual heights last term, but that shouldn't undo their status among the elite, especially as they could get back to their best very soon.
RadioTimes.com brings you the top 10 best Premier League players as of the start of 2024.
Check our more football features: Best players of all time | Best players in the world 2024 | Best strikers 2024 | Best midfielders 2024 | Best defenders 2024 | Best goalkeepers 2024 | Best young players 2024 | Best teams in the world 2024
Best Premier League players 2024
10. Virgil van Dijk
We know it's not sexy to have a centre-back on the list, but Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk has to make the cut.
While the Dutch defender's standards may have ever so slightly dropped after returning from a serious knee injury, Van Dijk will go down as one of the best ever Premier League centre-halves.
The 32-year-old, who was named the PFA Players' Player of the Year in 2019, has won the Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup and Champions League during his time at Anfield.
9. Son Heung-min
Mr Nice Guy Son Heung-min has been sensational since joining Tottenham in 2015. He's netted 115 times in 288 Premier League games for Spurs, while also scooping the Golden Boot in 2022.
Son can go either way and finish with his left or right foot, making him one of the most technically gifted players in England.
Following Harry Kane's Tottenham exit, he's become Spurs' captain, and whether they need a goal or someone to set up a team-mate, the South Korea international is the man to step up.
8. William Saliba
Two centre-halves on the list?! We know, it's a bit much, but William Saliba is the next defender that will dominate the Premier League for years to come.
It was no coincidence that Arsenal's Premier League title charge faded away last season when Saliba suffered a long-term injury.
The defender, 22, has the physicality to deal with any striker, while also having the pace to manage threats that goes behind the back four. He has it all, and if he stays in England, he'll be in the PFA Team of the Year every campaign.
7. Phil Foden
Phil Foden is just 23 years old, but he's already won every major trophy with Manchester City, including an iconic treble last season.
The silky lefty, who has already won five Premier League titles, can play on either wing or cause the opposition problems while playing in the middle.
Foden getting the ball on the half turn is a disaster for any defence in the world. He deserves to be on the list, and it's scary how he's nowhere near the peak of his powers.
6. Declan Rice
Declan Rice seems to have taken his game to another level since joining Arsenal, and the 25-year-old looks to be a future England captain.
The midfielder, who guided West Ham to UEFA Europa Conference League success before his move to north London, can play as a holding midfielder or as a box-to-box No. 8.
Now Rice is adding goals and assists to his game, he must be regarded as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
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5. Bukayo Saka
From one Arsenal ace to another now, and we're focusing on Gunners starboy Bukayo Saka.
The 22-year-old has already made over 150 league appearances for the Gunners, and he's helped to turn them into genuine title contenders in the last couple of years.
Saka is comfortably one of the best attackers/wide men in England, and he's consistently racking up goals and assists. He also gives Son a run for his money when it comes to being Mr Nice Guy.
4. Rodri
Rodri is finally getting the credit he deserves for keeping Manchester City's treble-winning side ticking over.
The Spaniard, who is a Rolls-Royce in the middle of the park while also doing City's dirty work and chipping in with important goals, netted the winner in the Champions League final -- and he'll be a major part of the club's history forever.
3. Mohamed Salah
We'll step away from City's stars for a minute to discuss Liverpool's main man Mohamed Salah.
The Egyptian has been a revelation since joining the Reds in 2013, and he's become Liverpool's all-time record scorer in the Premier League.
Salah, who has won three Golden Boots including a remarkable 32 goals in 36 starts in the 2017/18 season, guided the Reds to their only Premier League title in 2020, and he always steps up on the big occasions.
2. Kevin De Bruyne
Back to City now, and it's time to talk about Kevin De Bruyne. People may have forgotten about the Belgium playmaker with him being sidelined through injury for a few months -- however, he is arguably the best midfielder in the world.
De Bruyne has racked up 166 goals and assists (64 goals and 102 assists) in his 243 league appearances.
He's been instrumental in City's success in recent years, and he'll leave you stunned at least once a game.
1. Erling Haaland
Our No. 2 Kevin De Bruyne is closely linked to our No. 1 Erling Haaland, with the Belgium international setting up the Norwegian on many occasions. You could argue cases for either of them being the best player in the Premier League.
Haaland has made a mockery of Premier League goalscoring statistics since heading to England, with the 23-year-old netting 50 goals in his first 50 appearances, while also chipping in with 12 assists.
Haaland, who won the Golden Boot while scoring 52 goals in all competitions last season, doesn't need to be involved in City's build-up. With an almost robotic style, he knows where to be at exactly the right time. He's simply unstoppable.
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