As 2023 draws to a close, Telegraph Sport rates the 30 best players in Britain across a range of sports this week. Monday it started with women’s football and now it is the turn of men’s football.
To reach the top 30, players currently have to play for a club in Great Britain.
Kamara is perhaps the most underrated player in the league. Signed on a free transfer by Steven Gerrard in the summer of 2022, the French midfielder has been crucial to Villa’s progress under Unai Emery. Strong, intelligent, technically confident – and only 24 years old.
Van de Ven was one of the signings of the season and he would be much higher on this list had he not suffered a serious injury in November. The 22-year-old’s recovery pace allows Spurs to play a high defensive line.
Another player who would be significantly higher on our list had he stayed fit. Neto assisted seven goals in his first ten games of the campaign and looked to be back to his best after persistent injury problems in recent years. A hamstring problem has set him back.
27 – Alisson Becker (Liverpool)
Alisson remains the league’s standout goalkeeper and he continues to produce big saves in key moments for Liverpool. The Brazilian makes the occasional mistake, but he more than makes up for it with his ability to stop, his presence and his distribution.
Odegaard was near the top of the table last season, but he suffered an unusual dip in form at the start of this season. However, in recent weeks the Arsenal captain has regained his mojo. When he plays well, Arsenal plays well too.
There is a reason City wanted to sign Paqueta. A showman who scores and scores goals, but also works for his team. The Brazilian is heading for the top of the game, with or without West Ham.
Solanke has already scored more league goals this season than he has in his previous Premier League campaigns. Now 26, he thrives in a team that plays with a more expansive and adventurous style. Does he have an outside chance of reaching the European Championship with England?
Is there a single player as important to his team as Palhinha is to Fulham? The Portuguese midfielder has established himself as the division’s strongest tackler. Without him, Fulham would probably be relegation candidates. It’s no surprise that Bayern Munich – and numerous Premier League clubs – are hoping to sign the 28-year-old.
“People haven’t understood Pascal’s level yet,” said Roberto De Zerbi, Brighton’s head coach, earlier this month. “He is underestimated as a player.”
De Zerbi’s arrival has helped Gross establish himself as one of the league’s most intelligent and versatile players. Now a full-fledged Germany international, he continues to go from strength to strength, even at the age of 32.
Eyebrows were raised when Newcastle spent £45million on Gordon in January, but he has now shown why Eddie Howe was so keen to bring him to the club. His standout qualities are his energy and willingness, but he is also learning to be decisive in the final third. Another player who could break into the England squad in time for the European Championship.
Villa’s unexpected lead to the league title has been made possible by the strength and intelligence of their midfield. More than anyone else, Luiz provides the platform for the other Villa players to shine. Arsenal tried to sign him in the past, but it would take a huge amount of money to buy him now.
Hwang was far from productive in his first few seasons at Wolves, but this year he has performed excellently in front of goal under Gary O’Neil. The South Korea international fully deserved the new contract he signed earlier this month.
Brentford have been without Ivan Toney all season and no player has done more to fill the void than Mbeumo, who scored seven goals and provided three assists in 17 games before suffering an ankle injury earlier this month. The 24-year-old is starting to realize his enormous potential.
The Villa captain offers his team ruthless energy and plenty of technical quality. McGinn now plays in a more advanced position and he thrives there, carrying the ball forward and creating chances for his teammates. He has already scored more goals this season than in any other Premier League season.
Bowen has played most of his career as a wide forward, but he is now showing that he can also excel as a striker. He is a brilliant finisher who terrifies defenders with his speed and willingness to get in behind. He continues to impress under David Moyes.
A sudden dip in form in December should not detract from the excellent performances Trippier has achieved this season. He embodies much of what makes Newcastle such an exciting team, and very few players are as accurate and decisive in their deployment out wide.
14 – Phil Foden (Manchester City)
Foden was in and out of the team for most of last season, but this year he has re-established himself as a real key player. Now 23, Foden is no longer the academy kid with huge potential. He is a senior player and shows his quality every week.
The best English striker in the competition, now that Harry Kane has left for Bayern Munich. Watkins is an all-round striker who continues to improve his game every season. He can bring others into the game, score goals, score them himself and is devastating when there is space behind the opponent’s defense.
A World Cup winning striker who may not get the credit he deserves. Alvarez has cemented his place in the City team this season, providing a consistent stream of goals and assists. At 23, there is so much more to come.
11 – Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
After a much-discussed dip in form last year, Van Dijk seems to be returning to his imperious top this season. When fully fit, Van Dijk is a titan in Liverpool’s defense and the man who sets the tone for Jurgen Klopp’s side. A leader, a winner and one of the best defenders to ever grace the Premier League.
Even at £40 million, the deal that brings Maddison from Leicester City to Spurs appears to be one of the smartest done by any club in recent seasons. His impact has been enormous – he was immediately named vice-captain – and Postecoglou’s technical skills in midfield have allowed him to impose a new, progressive style at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
It speaks volumes about Saliba’s importance to Arsenal that their fans wouldn’t swap him for any other defender in the division. Not even Van Dijk. With the Frenchman, Arsenal is good enough to compete for the league title. Without him, they probably aren’t. Composed on the ball, strong in the air and fast on the ground: Saliba has it all.
Silva is fundamental to City, with and without the ball. He will never be a prolific goalscorer, but the midfielder is a master of angles and movement, and his intelligence allows City to dominate games. Without the ball he is ruthless. He will be one of the Premier League’s all-time greats, if he isn’t there already.
Alexander-Arnold’s redeployment as an inverted right-back appears to have unlocked new levels in his game. The Premier League’s best passer and a player who is increasingly becoming a leader for his club. Alexander-Arnold is also developing a taste for decisive interventions at big moments in big matches.
6 – Rodri (Manchester City)
Perhaps the only player Guardiola cannot live without. City missed Rodri for three games in September and October, losing all three. It happened again when they traveled to Villa earlier this month. City’s reliance on Rodri speaks volumes about his understanding of the game, his defensive awareness and his technical quality.
Arsenal’s ‘star boy’ is becoming more efficient and effective every season. Saka’s decision-making in the final third is extraordinary for a player who is still only 22, and his durability has seen him gradually become a key figure in Arsenal’s attack.
4 – Declan Rice (Arsenal)
The Premier League’s first £100m bargain? Rice arrived at Arsenal with a huge price tag on his head, but there is now little discussion about that fee. He justifies this every week with his personality and determination in midfield, and his ability to shape big games.
After playing through injury for much of last season, Son is now pain-free and excelling in a new era for Spurs. Now the club captain, Son, is ruthless in front of goal and has set the tone for Postecoglou’s side with his intensity without the ball. Spurs will miss him dearly when he leaves for the Asian Cup next month.
2 – Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
The Premier League’s deadliest player. Perhaps it is fair to say that he is the deadliest player ever to play in the Premier League. When Haaland plays, Haaland usually scores. A unique talent.
Salah sneaks ahead of Haaland – just about – because of his all-round play. The Liverpool striker scores almost as many goals as he scores. In an evolving Liverpool team, with so much change happening around him, Salah’s brilliance in the final third remains constant.
