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Which Premier League players are in contention for world-class status?

The league is full of talent, but who’s next to achieve world-class status?
The league is full of talent, but who’s next to achieve world-class status? The league is full of talent, but who’s next to achieve world-class status?

The Premier League is full of talented footballers, but over the past few years the question has turned to whether or not the division has any truly world-class players.

With Uefa’s 2016 Team of the Year featuring eight La Liga footballers and none from the Premier League, who among England’s club players is in contention for world-class status?

Goalkeeper

David de Gea – Manchester United

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea
Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea
(Nick Potts/PA)

Manchester United’s David de Gea has been the topic of conversation since he joined the club in 2011, with many debating whether his attributes make him world class or not.

As that debate circles him, it is easy to forget that De Gea is a Premier League-winning goalkeeper – and with goalkeepers reaching their peak at around 30 years of age, the 26-year-old faces a crucial period in his career.

With 14 clean sheets in the league last season, the Spanish number one formed the foundation of the division’s second best defence, with his shot-stopping ability a huge asset.

De Gea has 200 Premier League games behind him, but there’s still much to learn – his command of the penalty area has improved, but he does not yet dominate it like a world-class goalkeeper should.

Who leads the way?

Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer
Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer
(Mike Egerton/EMPICS Sport)

Germany and Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer doesn’t so much dominate his own penalty area as his own half, with the 31-year-old regularly to be seen starting attacks from 30 yards up the pitch.

Neuer’s ability is reflected in the trophy cabinet too – the goalie has a World Cup, Champions League title and five Bundesliga winners’ medals to his name. He reached 100 Bundesliga clean sheets for Bayern Munich last season too.

De Gea will have time in the spotlight during both the Champions League and almost certainly the 2018 World Cup at the end of the season – can he close the gap on Neuer between now and then?

Defender

Cesar Azpilicueta – Chelsea

Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta
Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta
(Nick Potts/PA)

Chelsea’s Mr Reliable, Cesar Azpilicueta is a remarkable all-round defender with instincts in attack and defence, and an ability to play anywhere across the back five like Spain defenders are wont to do.

The 27-year-old has missed just one Premier League game in the past two seasons, winning two Premier League titles with the west London club since his arrival in 2012.

So what does he have to do to earn world-class status? With Chelsea set to test themselves in Europe this season, it’s simple: Azpilicueta must take his consistency to the highest level of football.

Who leads the way?

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos
Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos
(Mike Egerton/EMPICS Sport)

There aren’t many defenders who have performed at the highest level as well as Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos, who has more silverware in the trophy cabinet than the cutlery drawer.

Prone to a red card, Real Madrid fans won’t mind that too much as the defender has contributed priceless goals in no fewer than two Champions League finals – there are few forwards who can say that, let alone defenders.

Ramos has won the World Cup, two European Championships, three Champions League titles and three league titles so far in his career – the top level of club and international football is where Azpilicueta must perform too.

Midfielders

Kevin De Bruyne – Manchester City

Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne
Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne
(Daniel Hambury/EMPICS Sport)

Is there a more elegant footballer to watch in the Premier League right now than Kevin De Bruyne? The Belgian is Mesut Ozil with a touch more urgency – in many ways it’s a fool’s errand to try to pick holes in his ability.

Leading the assist charts in England’s top league, the 25-year-old created 18 goals last season and was generally outstanding in a difficult season for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

If you were to offer one criticism, it might be that De Bruyne is susceptible to occasional slumps in form.

Who leads the way?

Barcelona's Andres Iniesta
Barcelona's Andres Iniesta
(Nick Potts/EMPICS Sport)

If there’s one midfielder De Bruyne should be looking to emulate in his position, it’s Andres Iniesta. For the best part of a decade, the Spanish magician has been untouchable in the middle of the park.

A crucial component in arguably the greatest midfield of all time, Iniesta floats across the grass much like De Bruyne, adding a dynamism to Barcelona’s build-up play that kept opponents at bay in the league, the cup and in Europe.

Even at 33, Iniesta remains a creative genius at Barcelona – Guardiola can take some of the credit for that. Could he work his managerial magic on De Bruyne too?

Forwards

Dele Alli – Tottenham

Tottenham's Dele Alli
Tottenham's Dele Alli
(Adam Davy/PA)

When Gareth Bale left Tottenham for Real Madrid, Spurs fans probably thought they’d not see his like again. In Dele Alli, they have a worthy successor to the throne.

Arriving in the 2015 winter window for £5 million from MK Dons, Alli quickly shone, but it was in the 2016/17 season that he blinded everyone with his ability, scoring 18 goals from midfield as Tottenham challenged for the title.

The 21-year-old does have a reckless side which he needs to tame, while next season’s Champions League will offer the chance to show the world he has what it takes at all levels of the game.

Who leads the way?

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo
Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo
(Nick Potts/PA)

Cristiano Ronaldo’s example on the pitch is one which, perhaps unsurprisingly, Alli would do well to follow.

CR7 was something of a maverick during his time at Manchester United, famous for stepovers and overreactions, but crucially he refused to let such things overwhelm his professionalism – at the age of 32 he has not yet waved goodbye to his peak.

Alli would do well to let his ability do the talking, and train well enough that in 10 years’ time we’re all talking about who the next Dele Alli will be.

Classic strikers

Harry Kane

Tottenham striker Harry Kane
Tottenham striker Harry Kane
(Nick Potts/PA)

Your classic striker has one job, which is to score goals – by that metric Harry Kane is in line for a raise and employee of the month.

The 23-year-old stole the Premier League golden boot award in the final two games of the season, scoring an incredible seven goals against Leicester and Hull – of the 29 he notched during 2016/17, there were some beautiful efforts too.

As for timing, Kane has scored in big games, small games, and, you guessed it, medium-sized games. Doesn’t that make him world class?

Who leads the way?

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski
Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski
(John Walton/EMPICS Sport)

Unfortunately for Kane, Robert Lewandowski has moved the goalposts somewhat.

For club (Bayern Munich) and country (Poland), Lewandowski scored 54 goals in 53 games last season, and when it comes to strikers, as was mentioned previously, goals are the currency.

Score at better than a goal a game next season Harry, and then we’ll talk.