The 2023/24 season starts today, and the excitement is beginning […]
PL Players 23/24
The 2023/24 season starts today, and the excitement is beginning to build. There is plenty to look forward to in the campaign that lies ahead.
England’s top flight is widely regarded as the strongest domestic competition in the world. Not all of the best players on the planet ply their trade in the PL, but an increasingly large number do.
In this article we have taken a closer look at the footballers who will grace the division in the season ahead, picking out players based on their talent, age and more…
Star Players
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Bukayo Saka starred in Arsenal’s title tilt last term and he will be integral to their chances of success this time around too. The England international is a hugely talented footballer blessed not only with excellent natural ability, but also supreme in-game intelligence.
Saka contributed 14 goals and 11 assists to the Arsenal cause in 2022/23. Operating on the right wing, he provides speed, creativity and skill in attack.
The 21-year-old is remarkably mature for his age and almost invariably makes the right decisions. He will be one of the first names on Mikel Arteta’s team sheet.
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
Kevin De Bruyne has been one of the best players in the Premier League for several seasons now. The midfielder is arguably the most well-rounded footballer on the planet: he is technically, tactically and physically elite.
There was a time midway through last season where De Bruyne was dropped by Pep Guardiola. But by the end of the campaign the Belgium international was front and centre as Manchester City won a treble of the PL, thw CL and the FA Cup.
De Bruyne is difficult to stop when he is in full flow. Now that Ilkay Gundogan has left, the 32-year-old could become even more vital.
Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
Harry Kane’s future is uncertain. Bayern Munich are keen to sign the England captain this summer, with the striker out of contract in 2024. Spurs would rather not lose their star player, but a significant offer is said to have been accepted, so he could disappear soon.
Kane carried Tottenham last term, scoring 30 goals in the PL despite his team’s wider struggles under Antonio Conte and then Ryan Mason.
A degree of optimism has returned to the club following Ange Postecoglou’s appointment. If Kane does stay put, a top-four finish should not be out of reach for Tottenham.
Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea)
Chelsea finished 12th in 2022/23, their lowest finish since the mid-1990s. An improvement is almost guaranteed this season, with Mauricio Pochettino appointed to replace interim head coach Frank Lampard.
Chelsea were poor in attack last term but they will hope that the arrival of Christopher Nkunku helps in that regard. There is great excitement over the France international, who moved to London after his RB Leipzig contract expired.
A versatile attacker who can play out wide, up top or in a withdrawn role, Nkunku will be looking to make an impact in English football, however an injury late pre-season could put a significant delay on this plan.
Oldest PL Players
Andy Lonergan (Everton)
In order to fulfil PL rules around homegrown players, many clubs have an ageing, British goalkeeper as their third- or fourth-choice between the posts.
Everton are one such side. Andy Lonergan will almost certainly not get on the pitch in the top flight this season, but he is officially the oldest player in the league at 39.
Thiago Silva (Chelsea)
Unlike Lonergan, the legendary Thiago Silva can expect to get plenty of minutes this term. The Brazilian is still going strong at the ripe old age of 38 and his consistent performers have made him a real favourite at Stamford Bridge.
This will probably be Thiago Silva’s last season in the PL and the central defender will want to go out with a bang.
Lukasz Fabianski (West Ham United)
Lukasz Fabianski remains West Ham’s No.1 goalkeeper despite the fact he will turn 39 in 2023/24. The Pole’s reflexes are not quite as sharp as they once were, but he remains a dependable performer for David Moyes’ men.
Alphonse Areola will hope to usurp Fabianski as West Ham’s go-to shot-stopper this campaign, but the Frenchman will have a fight on his hands to do so.
Ashley Young (Everton)
Ashley Young’s PL career is not over despite his departure from Aston Villa earlier this summer. Everton have snapped up the former England international on a one-year deal, which means a man named Young is one of the oldest players in the top tier.
The 38-year-old started out as an attacking player but he predominantly plays at full-back these days. Sean Dyche will appreciate his experience and knowhow.
Scott Carson (Manchester City)
Scott Carson is about to enter his fifth campaign as a Manchester City player, but the goalkeeper has only ever made one league appearance for the club.
Carson, who will celebrate his 38th birthday in September, is another back-up keeper whose presence in the squad helps City to meet the homegrown player requirements. He is unlikely to get any minutes this season.
Young PL Players
Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United)
We have not necessarily selected the youngest PL players in this section, but have instead picked out some starlets who could shine in 2023/24. Garnacho certainly belongs in that category after the forward showed signs of his potential last time out.
The Argentine teenager does not lack confidence on or off the field, but his talent cannot be questioned. A bright, quick wide player, Garnacho is capable of both creating and converting chances.
Stefan Bajcetic (Liverpool)
Everyone knew that Liverpool needed to refresh their midfield this summer and it was no surprise to see them move quickly to secure the services of Alexis Mac Allister, one of the heroes for Argentina last year.
The emergence of Stefan Bajcetic was a rare bright spot in a largely disappointing season in 2022/23. The 18-year-old is calm in possession and could be a key man in Jurgen Klopp’s midfield in the coming months.
Michael Olise (Crystal Palace)
A call-up to the senior France squad could be just around the corner for Michael Olise, who dazzled for Crystal Palace last season. A wonderfully gifted left-footed winger, the former Reading man is a threat to opposition full-backs across the PL.
Olise needs to add more goals to his game, but his ability to fashion opportunities for his team-mates makes the 21-year-old a valuable player for Palace. A move to a bigger club is surely only a matter of time.
Julio Enciso (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Brighton’s scouting network is unrivalled in the league, with Kaoru Mitoma, Moises Caicedo and the aforementioned Alexis Mac Allister all plucked from relative obscurity. The same is true for Julio Enciso, a signing from Paraguayan outfit Libertad in 2022.
The 19-year-old attacker broke into Brighton’s first team towards the end of last term and he will now be looking to nail down a regular starting berth in 2023/24.
Folarin Balogun (Arsenal)
At the time of writing we do not know whether Folarin Balogun will be a part of Arsenal’s PL squad this season. The United States international wants to play regular football and he is thought to be weighing up his options at present.
Balogun, who is 22 years old, scored 22 goals on loan at French club Reims last term. Gabriel Jesus remains Arsenal’s first-choice striker, but Balogun could be an excellent alternative in 2023/24.
PL Player Stats
Most Goals
Harry Kane is the current PL player who has scored the most goals in the competition. The Tottenham legend has found the back of the net a total of 213 times. Only Alan Shearer (260) has scored more goals in the league.
Most Assists
Kevin De Bruyne is the most prolific provider of goals in the division. He has made 102 assists in total, a tally which puts him joint-fourth in the all-time ranking alongside Frank Lampard. Only Ryan Giggs, Cesc Fabregas and Wayne Rooney are above him.
Fastest Player
There is no official verdict on who the fastest player in the league is, but Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Adama Traore is right up there. The Spaniard is built like a sprinter and moves incredibly quickly across the ground.
Tallest Player
Chelsea’s reserve goalkeeper Lucas Bergstrom is the tallest player in the league at 205 centimetres. However, the Finn is unlikely to appear in the league this season.
Shortest Player
At the other end of the spectrum are Tariq Lamptey of Brighton and Ryan Fraser of Newcastle, who are both 163 centimetres tall.
