We are now well into the second half of the 2019/20 Premier League season where Liverpool have a sizable advantage at the top of the table as they bid to win the title for the first time.
Here is a look at who have been the three standout players in the campaign to date.
Kevin De Bruyne
Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne has really struggled with injuries over the last couple of years, which has denied fans of the Premier League the chance to see the Belgium international produce the majestic football he is capable of. De Bruyne looks on a mission this season to make up for that lost time as he has been outstanding. There is not a team in world football that the Manchester City star would not get into, with some pundits going as far as saying he is the best midfielder in the world right now.
The Belgian is the driving force behind most of what City do well going forward. His delivery into the box has been excellent, as he proved in his assist to Sergio Aguero in City’s 1-0 victory over Sheffield United. Although the season has not panned out the way Pep Guardiola would have wanted, De Bruyne is going to be key for them as they bid to win the Champions League for the first time.
Sadio Mane
A case could be made for five or six Liverpool players being on this list, however, it is Sadio Mane who deservedly edges it over the likes of Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk. Mane has taken his game to a new level this season where he is on course for his best-ever year. Alongside Salah and Roberto Firmino, he is part of the front three which helped Liverpool win the Champions League back in June.
The Senegalese forward is likely to go very close to 30 goals in all competitions at the end of the campaign. He should continue to excel for Liverpool who are now as short as 1/66 in the Premier League betting for the title.
Jamie Vardy
At the age of 33, Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy is leading the Premier League goalscorer charts, proving that he remains one of the best finishers in Europe. Vardy retired from international football after the 2018 World Cup and that seems to have been a wise move as he has been able to concentrate on domestic football for the Foxes.
With injuries to Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford, England manager Gareth Southgate may want to try to persuade the Leicester striker to rethink his decision ahead of Euro 2020 this summer.
The former Premier League winner scored in eight consecutive Premier League matches earlier this season. While he was unable to break his own record of goals in 11 consecutive Premier League games, his run of goals has been crucial in helping his side remain in the top four.
With plenty of football still to be played this season, there is still time for others to stake a claim for being one of the stars of the 2019/20 campaign.