New Delhi: The top clubs have been fighting hard to remain at the top of the Premier League table with the tussle ongoing especially between Manchester City and Liverpool. The three newly promoted teams are in the bottom six while the Gunners are looking to end their 20-year-long title drought.
While the standings may not hold many surprises, several players have exceeded fan expectations with standout performances. With each club now nine games in, let’s take a closer look at the players who have risen above expectations this season.
Rico Lewis
🩵⚔️ pic.twitter.com/ioy2hotGgF
— Rico Lewis (@LewisRico82) October 26, 2024
The 19-year-old Rico Lewis has quickly become a key figure for both Manchester City and the England squad. Capable of playing as a left-back or right-back Lewis has also stepped into a defensive midfield role following Rodri’s season-ending ACL injury.
This season, he has earned three of his four England caps, and his adaptability will be crucial for both club and country throughout the 2024-25 season.
Lewis is one of only three teenagers who have started at least six Premier League matches this season alongside Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo and Brighton’s Jack Hinshelwood.
Noni Madueke
Team!
⚽️⚽️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/VK96I4dZ3j
— Noni Madueke (@NoniMadueke_) August 25, 2024
Chelsea winger Noni Madueke has certainly earned his place on this list after delivering a couple of standout months. The 22-year-old was an unused sub for the opening fixture against Man City but when he scored in the 2-0 Europa Conference League against Servette he has been in fine form since then.
He scored a 14-minute hat-trick against Wolves just before his England debut and then ended up scoring a special equalizer for Chelsea in a 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest.
This season he has scored four goals in seven appearances, just one fewer than his total from last season, when he scored five in 23 appearances in the competition.
Tyler Dibling
Tyler Dibling league debut vs Sheffield Wednesday:
8 Minutes
100% Pass accuracy
1 Shot
3/4 Ground duels won
1 Successful dribbleOne of our own 💫 #SaintsFC pic.twitter.com/G4ymb7eGoI
— Just Saints (@JustSaints_) January 13, 2024
Just like Ipswich, Southampton are yet to record a victory after winning promotion from the Championship last season. But the 18-year-old midfielder Tyler Dibling has made a mark for himself, becoming the main plusses for Russell Martin’s side.
Despite having only one previous league appearance, Dibling has quickly adapted to top-flight football. He scored his first goal for the Saints last month, linking up well with 36-year-old Adam Lallana to earn a 1-1 draw against Ipswich and he recently won a penalty in their match against Manchester United.
The midfielder has created more chances in the Premier League this season so far. Dibling has created seven chances.
Bryan Mbeumo
🇨🇲🐝 Bryan Mbeumo has become the 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 Brentford player to directly contribute to 50 Premier League goals for the club…
⚽ 29 goals
🅰️ 21 assists pic.twitter.com/a0iLKz0MhN— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) October 26, 2024
The Bees right-winger Bryan Mbeumo is so underrated but the 25-year-old is in his own race. The Cameroonian has recently scored a stunning goal in the 90+6 minute to complete his secured victory for his side. He is currently second in the top scorers list just behind Haaland with a total of eight goals in nine appearances so far this season.
Mbeumo also helped his side break the record for back-to-back fastest goals. They became the first team to score in the opening minute of a match in the opening three minutes, he scored two of them. He has already equalled his last season’s goals and heading towards setting new personal milestones.
Raul Jimenez
🚨🇲🇽 DOBLETE DE RAUL JIMENEZ CON FULHAM EN LA PREMIER LEAGUE 🏴🤯 pic.twitter.com/ntHQDg9cdz
— All Fútbol MX 🇲🇽 (@AllFutbolMX) May 19, 2024
Raul Jimenez has made an impressive start this season for Fulham, with four goals and one assist to his name. This season marks a comeback for the 33-year-old Mexico striker, who had gone 33 league games without a goal between March 2022 and November 2023.
In the 2019-20 season, Jimenez scored 17 goals for Wolves but his career took a devastating turn in November 2020 when he suffered a fractured skull injury that threatened both his career and life. After eight months of recovery, he made his return to the field, and his resurgence in scoring this season has been one of the standout stories.
In nine matches, he has contributed four goals and one assist, reestablishing himself as a key player following his injury.
Liam Delap
The 10 men of Ipswich have levelled it!
Liam Delap comes off the bench to equalise for the visitors.
The 21-year-old now has five goals in nine Premier League games.#BrentfordFC | #ITFC | #BREIPS pic.twitter.com/cb3qmdFyNr
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) October 26, 2024
Liam Delap joined Ipswich Town from Manchester City this summer for an initial £15 million with potential add-ons bringing the total to £20 million. Before the transfer, he had only appeared twice as a substitute in the Premier League.
However, the 21-year-old forward has quickly proven his worth and have already netted four goals so far despite his struggling in their first top-flight campaign since 2001-02. Delap’s performances will be crucial in Ipswich’s battle for survival as he has already found the back of the net in key matches including the 1-1 draw with Fulham and a brace in the 2-2 draw against Aston Villa, and the 4-1 loss to West Ham.
The England Under-21 striker has four goals from 11 shots making him the third-highest short conversion rate of any player this season.
Ryan Gravenberch
Ryan Gravenberch. Wow. pic.twitter.com/TxfTmglL0K
— Liverpool FC USA (@LFCUSA) October 23, 2024
Liverpool was looking to sign a defensive midfielder this summer but now it looks like the Reds don’t need Martin Zubimendi anymore. The 22-year-old Ryan Gravenberch has earned a spot for himself in Slot’s defense. He only started 12 games under Jurgen Klopp last season but this season he looks a completely different player and has been thriving under Slot pretty well.
Gravenberch has been a key factor in the Reds’ start of the campaign which includes seven wins in nine Premier League matches. He is the only player in the league this season who has played 300 or more passes, making 100 or more carries, winning possession 40 or more times, and winning 40 or more duels.
