The 30 best footballers in Britain right now

30 – Boubacar Camara (Aston Villa)

Kamara may be the most underrated player in the league. Signed by Steven Gerrard as a free agent in the summer of 2022, the French midfielder has been instrumental in Villa's progress under Unai Emery. Strong, smart, technically confident — and he's only 24 years old.

29 – Mickey van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur)

Van de Ven was one of the new signings of the season and he would have ranked much higher on this list if would not have been seriously injured in November. The 22-year-old's recovery rate allows Spurs to play with a high defensive line.

Mickey van de Ven from Tottenham was named one of the players of the season Photo: Getty Images/Henry Brown 28 – Pedro Neto (Wolverhampton)< p>Another player who would have ranked significantly higher on our list had he stayed fit. Neto has provided seven goals in his first 10 games of the campaign and appears to be back to his best form after persistent injury problems in recent years. A hamstring problem has set him back again.

27 – Alisson Becker (Liverpool)

Alisson remains the outstanding goalkeeper in the league and continues to make big saves in big moments for Liverpool. The Brazilian sometimes makes mistakes, but he more than makes up for them with his shot-stopping ability, presence and distribution.

26 — Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)

Odegaard was at the top of this list last season, but his form has taken a nosedive at the start of this campaign. However, the Arsenal captain has found his mojo again in recent weeks. When he plays well, Arsenal play well.

25 – Lucas Paqueta (West Ham United)

There's a reason City wanted to sign Paqueta. A showman who creates and scores goals, but at the same time works for his team. The Brazilian is aiming for the top of the game, with or without West Ham.

It's not hard to see why Manchester City were interested in signing Lucas Paqueta — the Brazilian is heading straight for the top of the game. Photo: Reuters/Tony O'Brien 24 – Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth)

Solanke has already scored more goals this season than in any of 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 qualifying for the Euros with England?

23 – João Palinha (Fulham)

Is there one player who is as important to the team as Palinha 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 many Premier League clubs — are hoping to sign the 28-year-old.

22 – Pascal Gross (Brighton)

“People haven’t realized Pascal’s level yet,” Brighton head coach Roberto De Zerbi said earlier this month. “He is underrated as a player.”

The arrival of De Zerbi helped Gross establish himself as one of the smartest and most versatile players in the league. He is now a full-fledged German national team player and continues to go from strength to strength even at the age of 32.

21 – Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United)

Eyebrows were raised when Newcastle spent £45m on Gordon in January, but he is now showing why Eddie Howe was so keen to bring him to the club. His outstanding qualities are energy and willingness, but he is also learning to be decisive in the final third. Another player who could make it into the England team for the Euro.

Many doubted Newcastle spent £45m on Anthony Gordon in January, but by the match it becomes clear why they did it. Photo: Getty Images/Serena Taylor 20 — Douglas Louis (Aston Villa)

Villa's unexpected title success was made possible by the strength and intelligence of their midfield. Luiz, more than anyone else, provides the platform that allows Villa's other players to shine. Arsenal have tried to sign him in the past, but it would now require a truly hefty fee to buy him.

19 – Hwang Hee Chan (Wolves)

Hwang was far from prolific in his first few seasons at Wolves but has been excellent in front of goal this year under Gary O'Neill. The South Korea international fully deserves the new contract he signed earlier this month.

18 – Brian Mbeumo (Brentford)

Brentford have been without Ivan Toney all season and no player has done more to fill the void than Mbeumo, who has scored seven goals and provided three assists for the season. Made 17 appearances before suffering an ankle injury earlier this month. The 24-year-old is beginning to realize his enormous potential.

17 – John McGinn (Aston Villa)

The Villa captain provides his team with tireless energy and a high level of technique. McGinn now plays in a more advanced position and excels there, carrying the ball forward and creating chances for his teammates. He has already scored more goals this season than in any previous Premier League campaign.

As with Aston Villa, John McGinn's form is getting better and better and the midfielder is a big reason for his club's surprise title challenge. Photo: Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley 16 — Jarrod Bowen (West Ham)

Bowen has spent most of his career as a winger, but he is now showing that he can excel as a striker as well. A brilliant striker who intimidates defenders with his pace and willingness to drop back, he continues to impress under David Moyes.

15 – Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United)

A sudden dip in form in December should not detract from Trippier's excellent performances this season. He epitomizes much of what makes Newcastle such an exciting team, and there are very few players as accurate and decisive in their strikes from the wing.

14 – Phil Foden (Manchester City)

Foden was in and out of the team for much of last season, but this year he has again established himself as a truly key player. . Now 23, Foden is no longer an academic pupil with huge potential. He is an experienced player who shows his quality every week.

13 – Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)

The best English center forward in the league after Harry Kane left for Bayern Munich. Watkins is a versatile forward who continues to improve his game each season. He can get others involved, score and score goals himself, and he is disruptive when there is space behind the opposition defence.

12 – Julian Alvarez (Manchester City)

A World Cup-winning striker who may not have received the recognition he deserves. Alvarez has cemented his place in City's team this season and has been consistently scoring and providing assists. At 23, there is still a lot ahead.

11 – Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

After a much-discussed dip in form last year, Van Dijk appears to be returning to his best form this season. When fully fit, Van Dijk is a titan of Liverpool's defense and the man who sets the tone for Jurgen Klopp's team. A leader, a winner and one of the best defenders in the Premier League in history.

Virgil van Dijk has returned to his best form for Liverpool and was once one of the best defenders to win the Premier League award. Photo: AP/Jon Super /cf-particle-html.eip.telegraph.co.uk/3522752b-4311-4ce5-9770-4f62d58ef471.html?direct=true&id=3522752b-4311-4ce5-9770-4f62d58ef471' class='tmg-particle voice wrp- 3522752b-4311-4ce5-9770-4f62d58ef471' name='Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)' data-business-type='editorial' loading='eager' scroll='no' Frameborder='0' style='width: 100%; min-width: 100%; border: none; position: static; display: block; padding: 0px; field: 0px;'> 10 – James Maddison (Tottenham Hotspur)

Even at a price tag of £40 million, the deal to take Maddison from Leicester City to Spurs appears to be one of the shrewdest any club have struck in recent seasons. His influence was enormous — he immediately became vice-captain, and his technical ability in midfield allowed Postecoglou to impose a new, progressive style at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

9 – William Saliba (Arsenal)

It says a lot about Saliba's importance to Arsenal that their fans wouldn't trade him for any other defender in the division. Even Van Dijk. With the Frenchman, Arsenal are good enough to compete for the league title. Without him, they probably wouldn’t exist. On the ball, strong in the air and quick in the game: Saliba has it all.

8 – Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)

Silva is a fundamental player for 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 matches. Off the ball he is relentless. He becomes one of the greatest Premier League players of all time, if he isn't already there.

7 – Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)

Alexander-Arnold's re-positioning as an inverted right-back appears to have opened up new layers to 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 action at important moments in big matches.

6 – Rodri (Manchester City)

Perhaps the player Guardiola cannot do without. City were missing Rodri for three matches in September and October and lost all three of them. It happened again when they arrived at Villa earlier this month. City's dependence on Rodri speaks volumes about his understanding of the game, his defensive skills and technical qualities.

5 – Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)

With each season, Arsenal's «star boy» becomes more and more effective and efficient. Saka's decision-making in the final third is unusual for a player still only 22 years old, and his durability has seen him gradually become a key figure in Arsenal's attack.

4 – Declan Rice (Arsenal)

First £100m Premier League deal? Rice arrived at Arsenal with a huge price on his head, but that price is little discussed these days. He lives up to it every week with his personality and determination in midfield, as well as his ability to shape big plays.

William Saliba and Declan Rice are two big reasons Arsenal are challenging for the title again. Photo: Getty Images/David Price 3 – Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur)

After playing through injury for most of last season, Son is now out of illness and has excelled in his new season era for Spurs. Now club captain, Son was ruthless in front of goal and set the tone for Postecoglou's team with his energy without the ball. Spurs will miss him dearly when he heads to the Asian Cup next month.

2 – Erling Haaland (Manchester City)

The deadliest player in the Premier League. It may already be fair to say that he is the deadliest Premier League player of all time. When Haaland plays, Haaland usually scores. Unique talent.

1 – Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Salah is ahead of Haaland — almost — thanks to his all-round performance. The Liverpool striker scores almost as many goals as he does. In a developing Liverpool team with so much change happening around him, Salah's brilliance in the final third remains constant.

Since then Mohamed Salah has been brilliant since he joined Liverpool and has shown no signs of slowing down. Photo: Getty Images/Andrew Powell -html.eip.telegraph.co.uk/4caca1fd-b121-4b6f-96b1-642fcf591ba1.html?direct=true&id=4caca1fd-b121-4b6f-96b1-642fcf591ba1' class='tmg-particle voice wrp-4caca1fd-b121- 4b6f-96b1-642fcf591ba1' name='Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)' data-business-type='editorial' loading='eager' scroll='no' Frameborder='0' style='width: 100%; min-width: 100%; border: none; position: static; display: block; padding: 0px; margin: 0 px;'>