LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 24: Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Everton at Emirates Stadium on October 24, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

The Top 10 Premier League players of 2015

5) Riyad Mahrez

Similar to Dimitri Payet and the complete opposite of Aguero, Mahrez has done much of his damage in the second half of 2015. While he wasn’t exactly lighting the world on fire in the spring, Mahrez has been so good in the fall it’d be impossible to leave him off. In fact, when I first drafted this list I had him lower but he has been so good the past few weeks he moved himself up. The winger has already fired in 11 goals and next to Jamie Vardy, he’s the biggest reason Leicester were at the top of the table in December. Many fans have been waiting for Mahrez to break out and become the star they thought he would be and Mahrez seems to finally be doing that this season. He should be even higher on the list in 2016.

 

 4) Jamie Vardy

Coming into this season, no one was really thinking you should be looking out for Jamie Vardy. Part of that is because he scored just four goals of the second half of last season. This season however has been a completely different story. So far this season, Vardy has already found the back of the net 14 times, including a Premier League record scoring in 11 straight games, but what might be most impressive is that Vardy has either scored or assisted on a goal in every single match this season. His 19 goals in 2015 are the third most in the Premier League, earning him the #4 spot.

 

3) Mesut Ozil

In mid December, former Everton and Manchester United manager David Moyes claimed ‘the jury is still out on Mesut Ozil’ causing the rest of us to wonder what David Moyes has been watching all season. The Ozil that I’ve been watching has been nothing short of spectacular this season. If you’re wondering why Arsenal are finally challenging for a title this season and continue to win despite their long injury list, the answer is Mesut Ozil. Similar to David Silva, Ozil is the creative mastermind for Arsenal. He’s set up 18 goals in 2015, 13 of which have come this season. Not coincidentally, Arsenal have looked better then they have in ages this season.

 

2) David de Gea

There is no singular player who is more single handedly responsible for his teams place in the table then David de Gea. Whether it be Manchester United finishing in the top four in 2015 or just being in the top four and flirting with the top spot in the first half of the 2015/16 season. Despite Louis van Gaal’s ultra conservative and defensive style, Manchester United still seem to give up two or three point blank chances every game, but de Gea is always there to clean up the mess. At this point, de Gea is making world class saves look as routine as Barcelona makes their world class goals look. That’s saying something.

 

1) Harry Kane

If we’re going to remember 2015 for one player it’s going to be the year Harry Kane emerged. He announced himself with a brace in Tottenham’s stunning 5-3 win over Chelsea on New Years Day and never looked back. Kane’s 24 league goals are the most of anybody in 2015 and his prowesss didn’t stop there. He made his international debut for England this year and of course he scored in that game as well. Kane may have gotten off to a slow start this season but he turned it back on in November to get his mojo back. At the end of the day, Kane has put the ball in the net more often then anyone else in 2015, and he was very consistent in doing so.

About Pauly Kwestel

Pauly is a Producer for WFAN in New York and the CBS Sports Radio Network. He has been writing about the beautiful game since 2010 and can be followed on twitter @pkwestelWFAN

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