The Premier League is on an extended international stop and won’t be back until October 10th.
It is therefore a good moment for a little reflection and to look back on the first five days and identify the players who have stood out in the months of August and September.
Only one team has two players in the best XI and, unsurprisingly, that is leaders Manchester City.
PORTER
James Trafford (Leeds)
This was always going to be a big season for Trafford after joining Leeds Manchester City. The England international moved to Elland Road in the summer and began a top-flight campaign as the club’s number one for the first time. He has not disappointed, conceding just three times and making a league-best 20 saves as part of a strong start for Daniel Farke’s side.
DEFENSE
Anan Khalaili (Crystal Palace)
Khalaili had the difficult job of replacing Daniel Muñoz on the right side of Palau’s defence, but he has done an excellent job. It hasn’t been a seamless transition from Oliver Glasner to Pierre Sage at Selhurst Park, but the 22-year-old has been one of the shining lights with a string of strong displays. Khalaili made a league-best 21 tackles and tallied 15 disposals and, at the other end, also got on the scoresheet in the defeat to Ipswich.
Semi Ajayi (Hull)
Few pundits predicted Hull’s strong start to the season with the Tigers heading into the break in eighth place. Ajayi has been a mainstay in a defense that has conceded just four goals in five games and also kicked off the season with the opener in their 2-0 win over Manchester United on the opening day.
Jeremy Jacquet (Liverpool)
Jacquet has had fans purring with a string of fine performances at the heart of Liverpool’s defence. The 21-year-old missed most of last season with a shoulder injury but has already formed a solid partnership with Virgil van Dijk. It’s early days yet, but Jacquet already looks the natural heir to Van Dijk as the leader of the Reds’ backs.
Lewis Hall (Newcastle)
Hall suffered the disappointment of being snubbed by Thomas Tuchel for a place in England’s World Cup squad. It was a decision that seemed puzzling at the time and even more puzzling now given his strong start to the season. Newcastle managed to retain Hall when other big-name players left in the summer and the left-back has responded with a string of impressive defensive displays and also grabbed a goal in the win against Hull on Saturday.
MEDIA
Elliot Anderson (Manchester City)
Trying to replace Rodri in Manchester City’s midfield is a thankless task, but Anderson has been a great contributor to Enzo Maresca in the first five weeks of the season. The pressure was on Anderson after his big move from Nottingham Forest, but he has been a key driver in City winning their first five games and sitting at the top of the tree.
Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)
After a couple of difficult seasons. Odegaard has shone in the early weeks. Before Saturday’s dismal display at Brighton, Arsenal looked firm favorites to retain their Premier League trophy with Odegaard providing the creative spark in midfield. The Norway international scored the winning goals against Chelsea and Napoli and also grabbed the opening night win against Coventry.
Pascal Gross (Brighton)
The veteran German has been a revelation in Brighton’s strong start. Now 35, he has lost none of his creativity and has excelled at the center of the Seagulls’ youth camp with his intelligence and the energy around him coming together to form a formidable unit. Gross put on the show against Arsenal on Saturday, scoring the opener and providing the corner from which Chema Andrés also scored. His weekend display came after a goal and two assists against Coventry and another goal against Manchester United in the EFL Cup.
ATTACK
Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Xavi Alonso has started life at Chelsea, but his problems are the defence. Palmer has shone at the other end, establishing a strong working relationship with Joao Pedro and Morgan Rogers. His form earned him a return to the England squad only for him to withdraw through injury. Palmer has four goals and two assists in all competitions and plenty more to come.
Kevin Schade (Brentford)
German international Schade is one of the most underrated strikers in the top flight. Pacy, direct and with an eye for the spectacular, the 24-year-old already has three goals to his name – two against Bournemouth in a 2-2 draw and the equalizer when the Bees drew at Leeds. Those three goals came from an xG of just 1.52.
Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
There is no other new number in world football that can match Haaland’s numbers. He already has seven goals in all competitions in five games. He also completed the goalscoring haul against the rest of the Premier League sides after taking on Sunderland at the weekend. The big Norwegian is on course to win the Golden Boot for the fourth time in five seasons.
