With the international break completed, attention now turns to the cut and thrust of the Premier League once more. The most expensive league in world football continues to provide succour for the UK in the midst of a national lockdown and the stars of the show are seeing their market value rise on a seemingly daily basis.
Current PFA Player of the Year Kevin de Bruyne has been integral to Manchester City’s success over the past few seasons and at the age of 29, he is at the peak of his powers. The Belgian equalled Thierry Henry’s record of 20 assists in a season last term and has been part of a Manchester City side that has won every domestic trophy available over the last 2 seasons.
He is believed to be on the verge of signing a long term contract at City and has expressed his wish to end his career there.
Liverpool have become the global force they have always threatened to be in recent times and that is thanks in a big part to the influence of Sadio Mane. Following his move to Anfield from Southampton in the summer of 2016, the Senegalese international has continued to make an impact alongside Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino in Liverpool’s forward line.
He was part of the side that won the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League in 2020 and is as influential as ever.
Egyptian captain Mohamed Salah is a far cry from the player that sat on the periphery at Chelsea during the mid-2010’s and he has become one of the biggest players in the world. He too was part of the side that won both the Champions League and Premier League with Liverpool and his consistent goal scoring has helped Jurgen Klopp’s side enormously.
Liverpool are looking to tie down all their key players over the next few seasons and Salah looks to be top of that list in terms of importance.
England captain Harry Kane continues to bang the goals in for club and country on a regular basis and his importance at Tottenham is difficult to contextualise. The 2018 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot winner is prolific in the Premier League and at the age of 27, looks to have plenty of goal scoring years ahead of him.
He will be hoping to catapult Tottenham into a position where they can compete for trophies under Jose Mourinho and he will be integral to their hopes of silverware.
Former Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling caused quite a stir when he left Anfield to join Manchester City in the summer of 2015 but the England international has not looked back since arriving at the Etihad. He has won 8 trophies during his time at City and has made over 50 appearances for England.
Having burst on to the scene as a teenager, it is easy to forget Sterling is still just 25 years of age and he could become one of the most decorated players in City’s history.
