The first international break of the new season is upon us and there will be no Premier League action for a while, so at Premier League Central, we have decided to take a look at the standout performers across the first three rounds of matches.
While it does not always translate to eventual success, a good start to a Premier League season usually helps set the tone for the rest of the campaign. A couple of sides have flown out of the blocks this term including current leaders Tottenham Hotspur, last year’s dark horses West Ham and European champions Chelsea to name a few.
As always, certain players have been at the heart of their team’s early success and without further ado, here are our top five in no particular order:
Michail Antonio
With four goals and three assists in the first three games, Antonio has arguably been the best player in the league so far. His link-up play with the likes of Said Benrahma and Pablo Fornals has been a thing of joy to watch. The striker, who recently switched his international allegiance to Jamaica, has recovered from an opening-day penalty miss versus Newcastle in style and has not looked back ever since.
Mason Greenwood
Mason Greenwood started the season as United’s number nine due to an accumulation of factors such as Edinson Cavani’s injury and Anthony Martial’s struggles with form. The teenager has more than held his own, netting in each of his side opening three fixtures where he has single-handedly won them four points. While the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo might see him moved out wide, the youngster has shown that he is more than capable of performing anywhere in the front line.
Hugo Lloris
Tottenham remains the only team not to have let in a single goal and this is in no small part thanks to their goalkeeper and skipper Hugo Lloris who has made the most saves with 12 across the first three matchdays. The Frenchman endured a relatively disappointing campaign last time out but he looks to be back to his best on the evidence of his performances this term.
Demarai Gray
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After leaving Leicester City in January, Gray moved to Bayer Leverkusen in a bid to get his career back on track. Eight months down the line and the 25-year-old is enjoying his football again, albeit now at Everton who splashed €2m in the summer to acquire his services. With two goals in his opening three games, that fee is beginning to look like a thrifty bargain.
Said Benrahma
Benrahma’s first season at the London Stadium did not go as planned as he struggled for form and fitness, scoring just one Premier League goal in 30 outings. Fast forward to the new campaign and the Algerian now looks every inch like the player who convinced the Hammers to fork out €23m to secure his signature last year. With two goals and assists apiece already, his partnership with Antonio upfront could lead West Ham to another memorable campaign.
