“We can’t change him,” Pep Guardiola insisted on the eve of Sergio Aguero’s remaining recreation in a Manchester Metropolis shirt.
4 years on, do Metropolis discover their fortunes tied as soon as once more to the health and type of a deadly striker with distinctive attributes and singular expertise?
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“With out him, it could be powerful to be sincere,” Guardiola admitted after Erling Haaland’s magnificent first-half double helped Metropolis leapfrog Bournemouth with a 3-1 win on Sunday.
Not everybody can boast a goalscorer of Haaland’s high quality, however every Premier League staff has that one participant they can not do with out – be it for his or her management, playmaking, or game-changing aptitude.
From the “soul of the staff” to an “absolute warrior”, listed here are the Premier League’s 20 key gamers, as chosen by our fan writers.
Arsenal – Declan Rice
Arsenal have made a superb begin and are wanting convincing of their bid for a primary Premier League title since 2003-04.
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After 10 video games, the Gunners sit six factors away from second-placed Manchester Metropolis.
Laura Kirk-Francis from the Latte Agency podcast has chosen midfielder Declan Rice because the facet’s key participant.
“Is there something Declan Rice cannot do?” Kirk-Francis mentioned.
“This season Rice has been imperious, not solely delivering inch-perfect set-piece deliveries however now including targets to his output.
“His switch payment of £105m continues to appear like a steal for the Gunners.”
The 26-year-old, who signed from West Ham in 2023, has helped Arsenal to seven clear sheets whereas making 5 aim contributions within the Premier League this season.
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Aston Villa – Ollie Watkins
Aston Villa waited 5 video games for his or her first win of the season, earlier than a run of 4 successive victories took them from the relegation zone as much as the highest half of the desk.
Unai Emery’s facet path third-placed Liverpool by three factors however are eleventh after 10 video games.
David Michael of My Outdated Man Stated weblog and podcast thinks Villa’s key participant is under-performing.
“Villa’s squad depends on only one true out-and-out striker – and he has scored simply as soon as all season,” Michael mentioned.
“Ollie Watkins has lengthy been praised for his all-round play, and rightly so, however he is a confidence participant and Villa cannot afford to attend till he is ‘within the temper’.
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“In a system that offers him the belief and the minutes, the targets have to come back.”
The 29-year-old England striker, who’s Villa’s all-time main goalscorer within the Premier League, has began each league recreation for them this season.
Bournemouth – Antoine Semenyo
Certainly one of three Premier League groups to have misplaced simply twice to date – leaders Arsenal are the one staff with a solitary defeat – Bournemouth’s vibrant begin has put them within the dialog for a top-four place come the tip of the season.
The Dorset membership have 18 factors after 10 video games and sit fifth within the desk.
With regards to crucial participant, Tom Jordan of Again of the Web podcast has little doubt.
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“Presently Bournemouth’s key participant is certainly Antoine Semenyo,” Jordan mentioned.
“The explosive vast ahead already has six targets and three assists to his title this season and is unsurprisingly grabbing the headlines.
“At solely 25 years previous, his ceiling is excessive.
“He can play anyplace throughout the entrance line, plus he possesses each extraordinary tempo and energy on a constant foundation.”
The Ghana worldwide, who signed from Bristol Metropolis in 2023, has performed nearly each Premier League minute for the Cherries to date this season – he was taken off throughout added time towards Nottingham Forest.
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Brentford – Mikkel Damsgaard
After shedding supervisor Thomas Frank to Spurs over the summer season, Brentford are settling in nicely to their first Premier League season with out him.
With 13 factors, Keith Andrews’ facet are six factors away from the relegation zone and 5 factors shy of fifth after 10 video games.
Ian Westbrook of the Beesotted podcast thinks Danish midfielder Mikkel Damsgaard is their key participant.
“He’s the person who makes issues tick for Brentford,” Westbrook mentioned.
“His imaginative and prescient and skill to identify and play the killer cross is unmatched within the squad and if he performs nicely, outcomes typically comply with.”
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The 25-year-old has contributed one aim and one help to Brentford’s Premier League marketing campaign to date.
Brighton & Hove Albion – Danny Welbeck
Danny Welbeck has made 373 appearances within the Premier League [Getty Images]
Inconsistent Brighton and Hove Albion haven’t had the identical end in successive Premier League matches all season.
However after 10 video games the Seagulls are inside touching distance of the European locations, three factors behind third-placed Liverpool.
Scott McCarthy of We’re Brighton has picked ahead Danny Welbeck because the participant the Seagulls cannot go with out.
“He’s the one out-and-out striker Brighton have who’s Premier League prepared till such time as Fabian Hurzeler feels assured unleashing the Greek youngsters [Charalampos Kostoulas and Stefanos Tzimas],” McCarthy mentioned.
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“However it’s not simply the shortage of different choices which makes Welbeck a key participant.
“When he performs nicely and scores targets, Brighton are likely to win.
“Take observe please, Thomas Tuchel.”
The 34-year-old, who final featured for England in 2018,
He has six targets in 10 Premier League appearances this season and of the 4 video games by which Welbeck has discovered the web, Brighton have gained three.
Burnley – Martin Dubravka
Newly promoted Burnley could have made an unsure begin to life again within the Premier League however they’re three factors above the relegation zone.
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The Clarets have been among the many most lively Premier League groups in the summertime switch window, bringing 14 new senior gamers into the squad.
Amongst them was Slovak goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, 36, who has been their key participant to date this season, in keeping with Natalie Bromley of the No Nay By no means podcast.
“Whereas the soccer world would count on us to say Kyle Walker, it is onerous to see previous Martin Dubravka as Burnley’s key participant this season,” Bromley mentioned.
“He is pulled out some unimaginable saves to protect factors in key relegation video games and his Premier League expertise has been very important.”
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Of the 60 pictures he has confronted to date within the Premier League this season, the previous Newcastle goalkeeper has saved 41 – greater than 4 stops per recreation.
Chelsea – Moises Caicedo
Chelsea made important personnel adjustments after incomes silverware on the European and world phases throughout Enzo Maresca’s first season as supervisor.
After 10 video games, the Blues are seventh, stage on factors with sixth-placed Tottenham.
Chelsea are lacking a giant title in Cole Palmer due to damage, however Will Faulks of Chelsea Information thinks 24-year-old Moises Caicedo has stepped up within the England participant’s absence.
“Cole Palmer is Chelsea’s most vital participant, however Moises Caicedo is working him fairly shut proper now,” Faulks mentioned.
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“With Palmer out, Caicedo has even turn into an vital goalscorer and creator, as we noticed on Saturday the place he successfully gained the sport for the Blues single-handedly.”
The Ecuador midfielder has scored three targets and made one help for Chelsea this season.
Crystal Palace – David Munoz
After defeating Premier League champions Liverpool to win the Neighborhood Protect, Crystal Palace’s unbeaten begin within the league lasted till October.
The Eagles sit ninth with 16 factors after 10 video games.
Alex Pewter on the FYP podcast sees winger Daniel Munoz as essential to Palace’s success.
“Daniel Munoz stays the staff’s key participant,” Pewter mentioned.
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“His stamina and vary permits Oliver Glasner’s 3-4-2-1 formation to click on, as a real two-way menace.
“The truth that the membership elected to not purchase a viable backup means the staff’s success hinges extra on his availability than on different skills.”
The Colombian, 29, has made two assists and scored one aim within the Premier League this season.
Everton – Jack Grealish
Everton have made an inconsistent begin to their 72nd successive season within the prime flight.
The Toffees sit 4 factors above the relegation zone in fifteenth place.
Mike Richards of the Unholy Trinity Everton Podcast believes that Manchester Metropolis loanee Jack Grealish is vital to boosting their league place.
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“It needs to be Jack Grealish,” Richards mentioned.
“He’s always singled out for ‘particular remedy’ by the opposition on account of his high quality and significance to Everton in an attacking sense.
“He strikes a way of concern into opponents and as he has confirmed already, his creativity stands out from the remainder of the squad.”
The 30-year-old England worldwide has made 4 assists and scored one aim to date on this Premier League marketing campaign.
Fulham – Ryan Sessegnon
A run of 4 Premier League defeats has left Fulham among the many groups making an attempt to not fall into the relegation zone.
After 10 video games, they’re 4 factors away from 18th place.
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Drew Heatley at Fulhamish has nominated full-back Ryan Sessegnon because the facet’s irreplaceable participant.
“He has discovered himself thrust into the primary XI, largely at left-back, as Antonee Robinson struggles together with his return from summer season surgical procedure,” Heatley mentioned.
“However he has rapidly made himself indispensable, chalking up two targets within the course of.”
The Englishman, 25, has achieved a cross completion fee of 73% over 9 Premier League appearances this season, in keeping with soccer stat database FBref.
Leeds – Noah Okafor
Leeds United signed Noah Okafor from AC Milan in August 2025 [Getty Images]
Leeds’ begin to their first season again within the Premier League has been combined.
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After 10 video games, the Whites are 4 factors away from the relegation zone in sixteenth place.
Adonis Storr of the Roaring Peacock believes ahead Noah Okafor is the participant who makes the largest distinction for Daniel Farke’s facet.
“Leeds have struggled in attacking areas this season however Okafor has aptitude and creativity,” Storr mentioned.
“It will likely be very important for Leeds’ probabilities of survival to maintain him match and get him firing constantly.”
With two targets, the Swiss 25-year-old is Leeds’ joint prime scorer, stage with centre-half Joe Rodon.
Liverpool – Dominik Szoboszlai
Liverpool’s title defence started on a powerful footing, successful all 5 of their opening video games earlier than a run of 4 defeats knocked them down the standings.
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The Premier League champions sit third, seven factors adrift of leaders Arsenal.
Dominik Szoboszlai is their key participant, in keeping with Jordan Chamberlain of Empire of the Kop.
“He is been the perfect of an inconsistent bunch this season,” Chamberlain mentioned.
“Bodily unimaginable, Szoboszlai works tirelessly and has aptitude on the ball, too.
“Arne Slot ought to play him in midfield [all the time], not at right-back.”
The Hungarian, 25, has made two aim contributions on this Premier League marketing campaign.
Manchester Metropolis – Erling Haaland
After a shaky begin, Manchester Metropolis are six factors behind leaders Arsenal.
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The ten-time league champions are in second place after 10 video games.
In line with Freddie Pye of Metropolis Xtra, there’s just one man within the body for key participant at Metropolis.
“With extra targets than each different Manchester Metropolis gamers’ targets tally mixed throughout competitions, is there the rest that must be mentioned about Erling Haaland’s significance proper now?” Pye mentioned.
“Maintain him match and firing in entrance of aim with the correct service, and we could possibly be seeing a silverware-laden 2026 on the Etihad Stadium.”
Nobody has scored extra Premier League targets than the Norwegian 25-year-old this season, his 13-goal haul greater than double the following greatest scorers.
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Manchester United – Casemiro
Casemiro signed for Manchester United from Actual Madrid in August 2022 [Getty Images]
Manchester United are discovering their rhythm below Ruben Amorim after they ended his first season on the helm in fifteenth place.
They’re eighth with 17 factors however are solely two factors behind second-placed Manchester Metropolis.
Alex Turk at Turk Talks FC has prompt that Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, 33, is the one participant that Manchester United cannot do with out.
“Bruno Fernandes is the headline star and Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha are the brand new shiny toys, however Casemiro is the soul of this staff,” mentioned Turk.
“United have conceded 18 targets this season, and he is solely been on the pitch for 5 of them.
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“To not point out he is getting in on the attacking act, with 4 aim contributions in his final 5 appearances.”
Newcastle – Sandro Tonali
Newcastle’s patchy type – significantly away from dwelling – has confined Eddie Howe’s facet to the underside half of the desk.
The Magpies sit thirteenth with 12 factors after 10 video games.
Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali has been chosen by Charlotte Robson of True Religion: Newcastle United podcast as their most vital participant.
“I do not assume you may look previous Sandro Tonali at Newcastle,” Robson mentioned.
“I’ve by no means seen a greater midfielder play for my membership – his technical capacity coupled together with his unimaginable work fee has saved us a number of occasions this season already.
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“That he has signed till 2029 at the least is a large boon for Newcastle.”
The 25-year-old has within the Premier League this season, in keeping with soccer stat database FBref.
Nottingham Forest – Neco Williams
Now on their third supervisor of the season, Forest have made a dismal begin to 2025-26.
Winless since their opening-day victory towards Brentford, Sean Dyche’s facet are nineteenth, 4 factors above backside spot and 4 factors off security.
Pat Riddell of the Well-known Membership has picked 24-year-old full again Neco Williams as Forest’s key participant.
“It has been a horrible begin to the season for Nottingham Forest which makes this fairly a straightforward alternative,” Riddell mentioned.
“Neco Williams has had his critics in his three seasons on the Metropolis Floor however this 12 months he is been an absolute mainstay within the facet.
“The Welshman at all times offers 100%, is up and down whichever wing he is picked to play on and manages to assault and defend with equal capacity.
“Dedication, fearlessness and dedication imply he is simply one of many first names on the staff sheet.”
The Welsh worldwide has performed each Premier League minute for Forest this season, and has scored one aim.
Sunderland – Granit Xhaka
The Swiss worldwide was named Sunderland captain by supervisor Regis Le Bris for the 2025-26 season [Getty Images]
Again within the Premier League for the primary time in eight years, Sunderland have impressed.
With 18 factors from their first 10 video games, the Black Cats are fourth.
Gavin Henderson of Roker Report sees Swiss midfielder
“Sunderland have taken the Premier League by storm this season, however the man main the cost has undoubtedly been our new captain,” Henderson mentioned.
“Xhaka embodies professionalism and, importantly, dedication.
“Sunderland are usually not content material with ending within the backside three, and that is due to the mentality Xhaka has helped to instill on and off the pitch.
“An absolute warrior.”
The 33-year-old has made three assists whereas serving to Sunderland to 4 clear sheets within the Premier League.
Tottenham Hotspur – Cristian Romero
Tottenham Hotspur are constructing after a season of combined successes below former supervisor Ange Postecoglou.
After 10 video games, Thomas Frank’s facet are sixth with 17 factors.
Ali Speechly of Ladies of the Lane believes centre-back Cristian Romero, 27, is the facet’s most useful participant.
“Haters will query his temperament however actual ones know the Argentinian World Cup winner is in management,” Speechly mentioned.
“One half of the most effective centre-back pairings within the league, ‘Cuti’ may also spring Spurs into assault with thrilling through-balls.
“Because the staff finds its toes below Thomas Frank, our captain should proceed to guide by instance.”
The Argentine has contributed to 3 of Spurs’ clear sheets this season, having missed two video games with an adductor damage.
West Ham – Jarrod Bowen
West Ham fired former supervisor Graham Potter after taking three factors from their first 5 video games.
In opposition to Newcastle on Sunday, West Ham claimed their first win at dwelling and first below new supervisor Nuno Espirito Santo which took them as much as 18th place, three factors adrift of security.
Within the Premier Legaue this season, no West Ham participant has made extra aim contributions than the 28-year-old, who has captained his membership for the reason that begin of 2024-25.
Wolves – Joao Gomes
Wolverhampton Wanderers did not get a win from their first 10 video games of the Premier League season, resulting in the sacking of former supervisor Vitor Pereira.
With two factors, Wolves are backside of the desk in twentieth place.
By way of their most vital participant, Brazilian midfielder Joao Gomes has the vote of Dazzling Dave of At all times Wolves.
“He reveals grit, dedication and coronary heart,” Dave mentioned.
“He battles and controls midfield, setting the tone with power and chunk.
“Robust within the deal with and aggressive in duels, he wins second balls and retains play transferring.
“He additionally leads on the pitch, driving requirements and rallying team-mates.”
The 24-year-old has made 51 progressive passes this Premier League season – greater than some other Wolves participant.