Erling Haaland, William Saliba and GOAL's Premier League Team of the 2023-24 Season so far

Vicario's arrival was met with very little fanfare this summer, especially when compared with the more expensive acquisitions of Andre Onana and David Raya by Manchester United and Arsenal, respectively. But while the aforementioned pair have struggled - Onana far more so than Raya in fairness - Vicario has enjoyed a pretty seamless transition to life in the Premier League.

The Italian currently boasts the highest save percentage in the division and has been competent with his feet, too. During a season when so many No.1s have been attracting headlines for the wrong reasons, Vicario has been a beacon of calm in the Spurs goal.

Few players have contributed more to Newcastle's rapid rise under Eddie Howe than his first-ever signing - and Trippier has continued his fine form this season. The 33 year old is one of only three players who have registered five Premier League assists this campaign. He is also the only defender to achieve that feat.

Although the Magpies have not been quite as solid as we're used to at times, their defence has still been one of the toughest to break down. Trippier has been a key reason why.

With Virgil van Dijk no longer looking like the player who narrowly missed out on the Ballon d'Or in 2019, it's not controversial to describe Saliba as the best centre-back in the Premier League.

Nowhere was his importance to the Gunners more evident than in their massive win over Manchester City just before the international break. With his side's composure seemingly slipping at times, Saliba oozed authority from the heart of defence all afternoon. He did not give Erling Haaland a sniff, with the Norwegian not permitted a single attempt on goal. It was a performance typical of Saliba over the past few years.

Crystal Palace fans won't like us saying this, but it's remarkable that one of the Premier League big boys have never been tempted to go after Andersen. The Dane's passing range is among the best in the division, with his raking, cross-field balls forming a vital part of the Eagles counter-attacking threat. This season, he's even added goals to his game.

He netted his side's only goal in a 1-1 draw with Brentford and then scored an absolutely stunning winner against Manchester United. That, combined with the fact Palace have only conceded seven times this season, makes him well worthy of a spot in our team.

Fearless. That's the best way to describe Udogie, who has typified the attitude of Postecoglou's new-look Tottenham at the start of this season. Just three Premier League players have registered more tackles than the Spurs man this campaign, and he's complemented these committed defensive displays with a tireless thrust going forward.

He is averaging over three progressive carries per 90 minutes to kick-off the campaign, as well as chipping in with a pair of assists. How Spurs could have done with him last season...

Rodri is indispensable for Manchester City. So much so that his suspension has essentially kickstarted the Premier League title race. City lost each of the three games he missed after seeing red against Nottingham Forest, with Premier League defeats to Wolves and Arsenal coming after a Carabao Cup exit at the hands of last year's finalists, Newcastle.

As a result, City enter the international break sat in third, highlighting why they'll need to keep their Spanish talisman on the pitch as much as possible if they are to repeat last season's exploits.

Yet another surprise star, Bissouma has bounced back from an inauspicious start to life in north London over the past few months. The all-action midfielder has been the beating heart of the Premier League table-toppers so far, contributing in almost every way imaginable. He's completed the third-most tackles so far, registered the highest amount of short passes and no midfielder has racked up as many progressive carries.

For a while, it seemed we'd never again see the Bissouma who dominated games during his time at Brighton - but he's been sublime under Postecoglou so far. Shame about that dive against Luton, though...

Here he is, the jewel in Spurs' crown. Maddison always felt like a perfect fit for Tottenham and so it has proved. The fans have already taken him to their hearts and the former Leicester man is clearly loving life in the capital.

Maddison has been far and away the most potent creator in the Premier League to kick-off the season, averaging a competition-high 1.48 goal-creating actions (the two offensive actions leading to a goal, such as take-ons, passes and fouls drawn) as well as registering five assists - no player has managed more.

His showpiece performance came in the North London derby where he rescued the game for his side and comfortably outshone Arsenal rival Martin Odegaard. Gareth Southgate simply must find a place for him in the England team.

Racking up more combined goals and assists than appearances is a pretty good indication that Salah is in good shape at the start of this season. 'The Egyptian King' has only failed to contribute to a goal once so far. That was against Tottenham - and if VAR had been functioning properly, he would have been credited with an assist.

The Saudi transfer rumours will inevitably resurface in January, and if this is to be the final act of Salah's astounding Premier League career, he seems motivated to make sure he goes out with a bang.

Haaland is like the sun, pulling all manner of football discourse towards his orbit. Recently, the debate has centred around his 'goal drought' - with the Norwegian failing to score in his final two Premier League games before the international break. If any other post-takeover City striker had done the same, this would barely register. But following his logic-defying exploits in the 2022-23 campaign, Haaland has set an impossible standard for himself.

He's not even been bad this season, either. The 23-year-old is well on his way to claiming another Premier League Golden Boot, racking up eight goals in as many appearances so far.

It's a bit cheeky as he normally plays on the right, but we couldn't help but sneak everyone's favourite baby-faced assassin in. Mikel Arteta hates resting the England international and it's not hard to see why. Saka is so positive on the ball and is never afraid to take on his opposing defender. He's efficient in the final third also, scoring and assisting with regularity.

Indeed, by setting up Gabriel Jesus in the Gunners' Champions League victory over Lens, he became the first player to record five or more goals and assists in Europe's Big-Five leagues.