50 DARWIN NUNEZ
LIVERPOOL
Resembling an excitable puppy, the rapid Uruguayan has shown bits of his lethal Benfica form, even if early suspensions, knocks and Erling Haaland juxtapositions didn’t help him. Clearly hellish to face, he’s a cutting-edge away from awesome.
SEASON HIGHLIGHT Netting twice in the 7-0 annihilation of Manchester United.
49 THIAGO SILVA
CHELSEA
The 38-year-old has often resembled the straight man in a struggling sitcom, raising a quizzical eyebrow as a new cast of characters pitch up mid-season. He’s still one of those rare stoppers who puts bums on seats, bringing grace to even the shonkiest team, although the clock is ticking: he’ll want more silverware soon.
DID YOU KNOW? Thiago’s 14-year-old son, Isago, is also on Chelsea’s books.
48 PHILIP BILLING
BOURNEMOUTH
The energetic Dane hasn’t sulked since an aborted January move to Valencia, flourishing in a more advanced midfield role under Gary O’Neil and scoring in big games against Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle and several rivals for the drop. Bournemouth survived with impressive ease, but with his contract up next year, they’ll get plenty more Billing enquiries. SEASON HIGHLIGHT Scoring the winner against Liverpool, who had tonked the Cherries 9-0 in August.
47 PHIL FODEN
MANCHESTER CITY
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