Every Premier League membership’s high performer so removed from £60m switch to ‘smartest’ signing

We’re just five games into the new Premier League season but there’s been plenty of thrilling moments already from wondergoals and stunning displays to surprise results and refereeing controversies. And standout performers have already emerged for the 20 sides competing in England’s top flight – here we pick our best so far.

Arsenal fans will have been delighted to see Martin Odegaard back to his brilliant best. But our pick for the reigning champions is Bukayo Saka. Four wins out of five so far for Arsenal, and until their dreadful loss to Brighton they were firing on all cylinders. Bukayo Saka has offered consistent high powered attacking play, scoring three goals so far, has taken on defenders and was a lone bright spot in their loss at the Amex.

Aston Villa have signed a great goalkeeper in Zion Suzuki. The departure of Emi Martinez to Chelsea left Villa without their longtime number 1, but the rise of Suzuki has Villa moving on without looking back. He’s thrown himself at shot after shot, endearing himself to the Villa fans as they look to a brighter future after a scary start to the season.

Bournemouth’s main man has been Alex Scott. The Cherries haven’t had the best start to the season, but their starboy Alex Scott has been terrific on both sides of the ball, playing nearly every minute so far with consistent tenacity. His resolve under pressure has been rewarded, as Thomas Tuchel named him to England’s Nations League squad where the Guernsey-born midfielder could make his senior international debut.

Brentford’s engine room boasts a star in Vitaly Janelt. The so-called socialists of the Premier League, taking points from the rich and giving them to the poor, Brentford have started the season well. This is thanks to the efforts of German midfielder Janelt, who has been one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League, all while popping up with goals against Sunderland and Spurs.

Brighton have once again called on midfield marvel Pascal Gross. Shout out to Luka Vuskovic, who has been fantastic. But Brighton’s standout has to be 35-year-old Pascal Gross, who re-signed from Dortmund in January. He’s been their most effective player, and was the man of the match in their 5-0 win against Coventry and their 3-0 win over Arsenal, with six goal contributions in just five games this season.

Chelsea’s new £117m man has delivered. This was a toss-up between Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer, who have both thrived as the attacking midfielders in Xabi Alonso’s 3-4-3. Rogers however, just takes the edge thanks to his stellar start in a new team and a new system, coming off a World Cup where he quickly became a key player.

Coventry City’s Bobby Thomas has been a bright spark. It’s been a tricky start for Frank Lampard’s Sky Blues, with just one win so far. However, Bobby Thomas has been a stalwart at the back, doing his best to steer an unsteady defensive ship. He put in good shifts against Nottingham Forest, Manchester City, and Hull City, although he was a victim of the battering handed out by Brighton in game four.

Crystal Palace can always count on Tyrick Mitchell. It’s been really difficult to judge Palace’s season so far, but Mitchell is just attacking enough to not take the flak for their poor defensive effort. With two goals against Fulham and a good performance in a tricky draw against Leeds, Eagles’ fans will be hoping that the team can get used to their new European schedule quickly.

Everton stalwart James Tarkowski is always reliable. A fan favourite since he joined four years ago, Tarkowski has hardly missed a step so far. As the leader of a well-drilled and effective Everton backline, he’s been fantastic in the air while popping up with a crucial goal and assist to win the Toffees points from Bournemouth and Ipswich.

Josh King is the fulcrum of Fulham’s attack. Last season Fulham placed a lot of trust in King, letting an 18-year-old run the show as a number ten. Now, that investment is beginning to flourish. The shots he was taking last season are beginning to go in, and he has the defensive effort to make up for his misses.

Hull City’s Konstantinos Tzolakis has been a revelation. It seems a few more teams will be getting mauled by the Tigers this season, and that is in part thanks to Greek goalkeeper Tzolakis. He has the most clean sheets so far this season, and is one of the best goalkeepers in the Prem this season on save percentage, goals prevented, and long passing.

Ipswich Town will be delighted by how quickly Emersonn has taken to the Premier League. Ipswich haven’t had the easiest return to the Prem, but the potential of this young team is apparent. This is perhaps best represented by their new 22-year-old striker Emersonn, who has two goals and an assist in his first five games, despite the inconsistencies in his hold-up game.

Leeds United’s talisman is still Dominic Calvert-Lewin. After his brace against Newcastle United, Daniel Farke described the 29-year-old striker as “ageing like fine wine”. We couldn’t agree more. After a dismal final spell at Everton, DCL has been fantastic for Leeds this season, with three goals and playing the target man role to perfection both on the ground and in the air.

Liverpool’s decision to retain Cody Gakpo looks a smart one given his fine start to the season. Yet Jeremy Jacquet has been the basis for their new found defensive solidity. A 21-year-old £60m new signing coming to a team plagued with a lack of defensive depth last season, critics were ready for Jacquet to fail. However, the French centre back has stepped in without complaint, performing fantastically for the Reds, marked by a player of the match performance against Fulham.

Manchester City’s maverick Rayan Cherki is a joy to watch. This one caused quite a bit of debate, but there are very few players in the modern era who excite fans like Rayan Cherki. With seven goal contributions, a highlight reel to boot, and a more established role in this post-Pep Guardiola team, Cherki has lit up the Premier League at the start of this season.

Where would Manchester United without Bruno Fernandes? While some pundits have been concerned about his whining and lack of effort at times, Fernandes will continue to impress with the ball at his feet. In an inconsistent United team, he’s offered four goal contributions, has the fourth most chances created in the league, and has looked above the struggles Carrick’s United have faced in the first five games.

Newcastle United were determined to keep Lewis Hall and rightly so. The Magpies had to sell a lot this summer, losing Anthony Gordon, Nick Woltemade and Bruno Guimares. However, they haven’t struggled as much as people expected. Hall has been one of the architects of this run of form, providing consistency on both sides of the ball while shoring up the backline.

Nottingham Forest talisman Morgan Gibbs-White deserves his England call-up. After missing out on the World Cup squad this summer, you might expect Gibbs-White to have a point to prove. He’s certainly playing like he does, dragging Forest to a win against Aston Villa and helping them take a point off Liverpool with a goal and an assist.

Sunderland’s Granit Xhaka just gets better and better. Personal scandals aside, Sunderland’s signing of Xhaka has been one of the smartest moves of the decade so far. He’s hardly missed a step this season, leading and playing every minute for a young team now playing in Europe.

Tottenham don’t have much to celebrate at present. This one was hard. We couldn’t exactly put an attacking player, as Spurs only scored their first goal of the season in their fifth game. Their £70m signing Jan Paul Van Hecke has quietly done his job at the back, even popping up with their second goal of the season.