Premier League leaders Liverpool only have one man in the XI of the season so far; Tottenham dominate, weirdly.
This is based on WhoScored ratings and at this stage, every player must have started at least six Premier League games.
GOALKEEPER: Mads Hermansen (Leicester City)
Brentford’s Mark Flekken has made more saves but Hermansen has – according to the statistics that matter – been among the best goalkeepers in the Premier League this season.
RIGHT-BACK: Pedro Porro (Tottenham)
At this stage of the season, a Premier League goal makes all the difference to a defender’s rating. Though it’s worth noting that in terms of right-backs, only Trent Alexander-Arnold has created more chances. Just don’t judge him on actual defending, as that’s considered cheating at Tottenham.
CENTRE-BACK: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
First for interceptions, joint-third for clearances and second for aerial duels won. He’s back to something approaching his best, which is apparently worse than Davinson Sanchez. He was predictably excellent v Crystal Palace and Chelsea before scoring against Arsenal.
CENTRE-BACK: Cristian Romero (Tottenham)
His busyness creates a high score; Romero is a defender who is very involved in Tottenham’s play. There are tackles, there are attempts on goal, there are bizarrely no yellow or red cards yet this season.
LEFT-BACK: Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City)
Man City are making slightly hard work of staying unbeaten in the Premier League but Gvardiol has now established himself back at left-back, with goals against Newcastle United and Wolves helping his algorithm. He will face competition from Riccardo Calafiori for this spot when the Italian has played more games.
CENTRAL MIDFIELD: Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa)
A third assist of the season came against Fulham, while he is making tackles at the same rate as Amadou Onana.
CENTRAL MIDFIELD: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester)
It might be something of a surprise to see a midfielder for a team below even Manchester United rank so highly, but no player has made more tackles than Ndidi and only Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer and Mo Salah have provided more assists…
RIGHT WING: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
An assist in each of the first five Premier League games of the season, before setting up the Ndidi own goal with another inch-perfect corner delivery. He then claimed two more assists – and a second goal of the season – v Southampton. The player of the season so far? He was certainly missed v Bournemouth.
ATTACKING MIDFIELD: Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
A stupidly good player long before he decided to score four goals in one half against Brighton. He then claimed his fifth assist of the season in a daft game v Nottingham Forest.
LEFT WING: Son Heung-Min (Tottenham)
We won’t lie; WhoScored have slightly blindsided us with this rating, though Son does have three goals and two assists in six games and he does keep the ball very well.
STRIKER: Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Ten goals in eight games. His statistics continue to be utterly ludicrous.
