20. Dele Alli
The 20-year-old made the most of his opportunity after leaving MK Dons in League One to move to Tottenham. He scored 10 times – including some spectacular strikes – last season and will have something to prove after an underwhelming euro 2016 campaign
19. David Silva
The Spaniard is coming off his lowest goalscoring season in the Premier League, but still managed up 11 assists. With increased competition at Manchester City under Guardiola, Silva will want to recapture his best form to cement a starting spot.
18. Daniel Sturridge
Arguably Liverpool and England’s best striker in terms of pure talent, but his challenge will be keeping fit throughout the whole season. After eight goals last season, many supporters would expect him score plenty more than that this campaign.
17. Christian Eriksen
Eriksen has consistently proven his quality at Tottenham with 23 goals and assists over three seasons at the club. He’s set to be one of Spurs’ vital attacking outlets in the coming season.
16. Toby Alderweireld
The Belgian was Tottenham’s rock in defence last season and Spurs will need a similar performance to have a shot at winning the title in 2016-17. He was also an attacking addition, scoring four times and assisting two goals.
15. Eden Hazard
The Belgian managed just four goals last year but already looks in better touch heading into this season. He began to regain form at the end of last campaign, before it grew at euro 2016, and continued into Chelsea’ pre-season. This season could be a big one for Hazard.
SLATER SAYS: Looks to be regaining the form that won him player of the year two seasons ago and he has a point to prove after a below par campaign last season.
14. Philippe Coutinho
The 24-year-old has steadily improved season upon season at Liverpool and is now vital to Klopp’s set up. Fans will be eager for the 24-year-old to better his eight goals and five assists last campaign.
SLATER SAYS: Liverpool’s best player now, consistently, over a few seasons.
13. N’Golo Kante
Chelsea will be hoping the French midfield workhorse can make a similar impact at Stamford Bridge compared to his influence at title-winning Leicester last season. If he can find similar form then the Blues have as much chance as any top team to finish in the top four or first.
SLATER SAYS: It’s only been one season for Kante, but he rockets into the list after making such a big impact for Leicester in their title run. A huge coup for Chelsea.
12. Jamie Vardy
Without his 24 goals, Leicester would not have won the 2015-16 Premier League. After turning down a move to Arsenal, all eyes will be on Vardy to see if he can repeat similar feats this season.
11. Harry Kane
Spurs’ star was lethal anywhere in and around the penalty box last campaign but lost some of his mojo at euro 2016. However, his 25 goals last term suggest he’s more than capable of turning his form around.
10. Wayne Rooney
Once Manchester United’s go-to man, Rooney has failed to make the same impact in recent seasons. Under Mourinho his position is expected to change again, but will a change in form accompany it?
9. Dimitri Payet
One of 2015-16’s standout stars will look to eclipse his nine goals and 12 assists last season. Payet, one of France’s most important players, will again be the West Ham’s biggest attacking threat.
8. Alexis Sanchez
Sanchez further established himself as one of Arsenal’s best attacking outlets with 13 goals and four assists last season. Coming off another Copa America title, the Chilean will now have his sights on EPL silverware.
SLATER SAYS: Just won his second Copa America, fantastic player - but injuries were a slight problem last season, and could hamper his season again. But a world class player.
7. Kevin De Bruyne
Through a season with hampered by injury, De Bruyne still managed to score seven times and assist nine goals. His influence in the team will only grow under Pep Guardiola’s implemented philosophy.
6. David De Gea
The record three-time straight Manchester United player of the year still seems to be a man in demand. Red Devils fans will hope he stays to build on his 83 EPL saves and 15 clean sheets last season.
5. Mesut Ozil
The German proved his world class stature last season with a league-high 19 assists. If Arsenal want to challenge for the title, then they’ll need similar output from their World Cup-winning midfielder.
4. Sergio Aguero
The prolific Argentinian rarely takes a break from scoring. His 24 last season added to a total EPL tally of 102 goals in 150 appearances. Once again he will be the main point of Manchester City’s attack. This is easy: injury free, he’s the best striker in the league and the Golden Boot winner.
3. Riyad Mahrez
Mahrez won the PFA Player of the Year award last season but that guarantees nothing heading into a new campaign with the Foxes. With the extra demands of Champions League football, it will take a big effort for the Algerian to match his tally of 17 goals and 11 assists last campaign. Mahrez was another massive key for Leicester. A fantastical and technically gifted player, they will do well to keep him as well, long term.
2. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Ibrahimovic has already begun his journey to become the “God of Manchester” after the matchwinning goal in the Community Shield against Leicester. But the attention will be on whether he can keep up his prolific goalscoring form once the season starts.
World class player, and the amount of goals and quality of his goals will stand him as one of the greats.
1. Paul Pogba
Being the most expensive player of highest means there’s a lot to live up to. Pogba was one the world’s best midfielders last season, but his impact in the EPL will be heavily determined by how Jose Mourinho chooses to play the 23-year-old.Not sure about the price tag because in my mind the price tag should be reserved for massive goal scorers, but no doubting the quality of this midfielder. At United, he could go to even another level. It’s up to him, as well, to take United back to the next level too.
