With 2015 Barclays Premier League coming to a close, we take a look back at some of the best players with astonishing performance in the year.
From goalkeepers to goalscorers, the list has been narrowed down to ten players who had the best year.
1. Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)
The Arsenal assist king comes in as the number-one player in the Barclays Premier League for the year of 2015. With seven goals and 20 assists, Ozil has become one of the elite playmakers in all of Europe, and his form is a key reason the Gunners are fighting for the title. Since January of 2015, Arsenal have won the most points in the Premier League, and Ozil has been the best player in the side.
2. David De Gea (Manchester United)
Everyone thought David de Gea was going to Real Madrid this summer, but Manchester United fans are happy that deal failed through. In a 2015 that saw many ups-and-downs at Old Trafford, de Gea’s game stayed at an elite level, now widely considered one of the top goalkeepers in the world. Arguably the best keeper in the Premire League, without de Gea, who knows where United would be right now.
3. Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
No one has scored as many Premier League goals as Harry Kane in 2015, as the Tottenham striker has found the back of the net a ridiculous 27 times this calendar year. From an unknown Spurs youth player to a starter on the English national team, Kane’s meteoric rise has taken the Premier League by storm. Still just 22-years-old, expect Harry to be one of the top strikers in the league for years to come.
4. David Silva (Manchester City)
While Aguero scores the goals, David Silva pulls the strings at Manchester City. The Spanish magician controls the tempo of the midfield, and his vision and creativity is unparalleled. He won’t light up the scoresheet with goals and assists, but the eye-test doesn’t lie with David Silva. If you watch a City game, there’s a good chance you’ll leave saying he was the best player on the pitch.
5. Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
Last season’s Golden Boot winner, Sergio Aguero has 19 goals in the 2015 calendar year. When fit, he is the best striker in the Premier League and one of the best goalscorers in the world. Unfortunately, injury has been an issue for Aguero, and is the only reason he isn’t higher up the list.
6. Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
Currently out with injury, there’s no denying the brilliance of Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean has scored 12 goals in 2015 and is one of the hardest marks in the Premier League, with lightning pace and quick feet. When hundred percent fit and in form, the Arsenal man is unstoppable.
7. Romelu Lukaku (Everton)
The 22-year-old is having himself a career year, currently with 19 Premier League goals in 2015. His combination of size, speed, and strength is arguably the best in England, and the big Belgian is proving he was worth the club-record transfer fee.
8. Toby Alderweireld (Southampton/ Tottenham Hotspur)
Last season, Southampton had the second-best defensive record in the league. This season, Tottenham have the best defensive record in the league. Toby Alderweireld’s presence in both of those back-lines is the main reason for those records, as the Belgian has become one of Europe’s elite central defenders.
9. Odion Igahlo (Watford)
Odion Ighalo ended 2015 as the top scorer across England’s top four divisions.
Ighalo, 26, is currently on a club-record run of scoring in six consecutive Premier League games for Watford and, with 14 goals so far this season, is one strike behind the top flight’s highest scorers Jamie Vardy and Romelu Lukaku.
The forward’s goal in Monday’s 2-1 defeat to Tottenham saw him finish the calendar year with 30 goals in the Championship and Premier League — more than any other player in the top four tiers of English football — with the Hornets rounding off the year in eighth place and just six points off of the Champions League qualification spots.
10. Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)
Cazorla is one of the most consistent players in the Arsenal side, and I thought his omission from the PFA Team of the Year last season was a huge snub. The Spaniard is so creative offensively with the ball, but has also done well sitting in a more defensive role as well.
Anthony Nlebem
