Ten games in, here’s 11 of the best

It’s often said that you shouldn’t make judgments until you’re at least 10 games into a new campaign - so right on cue, TODAY’s EPL analyst Adrian Clarke (sports [at] mediacorp.com.sg) selects his Team of the Season ((4-1-3-2) so far.

GK — Tom Heaton (Burnley)

If Burnley can’t survive the drop this season, their goalkeeper will.

Thanks to a string of jaw-dropping performances, 30-year-old Tom Heaton has guaranteed his future in the top flight.

Saving more than 81 per cent of the shots that have come his way (there have been 5.7 per game) the Clarets star has at times been a one-man repellent to opposition sides. Just ask Manchester United fans.

Heaton is big, confident and agile, and I suspect Joe Hart will soon be sweating on his place in the England team.

RB — Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur)

The Spurs right-back has been in the form of his life, flying up and down the wing for Mauricio Pochettino’s team.

With Hector Bellerin and Nathaniel Clyne also enjoying great starts, the 26-year-old needs to maintain standards to stay in my Team of the Season, but so far he has successfully married defensive and attacking duties with a series of consistently excellent outings.

Walker’s searing turn of speed is a major asset for Tottenham.

CB — Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal)

Wearing the captain’s armband has brought out the best in Arsenal’s central defender. He has been terrific across the first 10 matches.

Koscielny had Jamie Vardy in his back pocket at the King Power, and his bullying of Diego Costa at the Emirates was arguably the standout display by any centre-back this term.

Alongside Shkodran Mustafi, the Frenchman is proving to be a quietly effective leader. To get the better of him, Premier League strikers know they must be at the top of their game.

CB — Virgil van Dijk (Southampton)

I’ll be surprised if the Netherlands international isn’t the next Southampton player to be snapped up by one of the big boys. Since joining from Celtic, Van Dijk has developed into one of the most assured centre-backs in the country.

Whether it’s shackling a striker, recovering a precarious situation, picking out the right pass or creating confusion in the opposition’s box, the elegant Saints defender is usually at the forefront for his side.

LB — James Milner (Liverpool)

He was only supposed to offer short-term cover in the left-back department, but the versatile Milner has proven to be one of the division’s shining lights in that position. Hardly putting a foot wrong, the 30-year-old has found a role that ensures he’ll get more first team-football at Anfield.
As the best penalty taker in the squad it’s handy to have Milner in the starting XI, but that’s not the sum of his parts. As a forward-thinking full back he’s been virtually flawless.

DM — Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)

Confession time. I didn’t think Henderson had the ability to hold things together in a deep-lying midfield role for Liverpool, but the first quarter of 2016-17 has made me eat my words. The Reds skipper has been the heartbeat of their exciting side.

His fantastic engine has got him around the pitch to enthusiastically break up play, and his distribution has also been of the highest quality. Making more passes than anyone in the EPL (88 per game), Henderson is Liverpool’s chief conductor.

RM — Eden Hazard  (Chelsea)

Chelsea fans are again enjoying the best of Eden Hazard, following his gap year last term, after he was given a fresh lease of life by Antonio Conte, 

Drifting past defenders at every opportunity and with a renewed appetite for scoring goals, the brilliant Belgian has been largely unstoppable - especially at Stamford Bridge where he destroyed West Ham, Burnley. Leicester and Man United.

There is no better sight than Hazard running at defenders.

ACM — Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City)

A central attacking midfield role suits De Bruyne down to the ground. Showcasing skill, power and creativity in abundance, he has been frighteningly good for Pep Guardiola.

The Belgian’s season has been slightly disrupted by niggling injuries, but that’s not prevented him from laying on five City goals so far  (the EPL’s highest number of assists) and his goal tally is set to sky rocket in the coming months. He’s a class act.

LM — Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool)

The brilliant Brazilian is flourishing in Liverpool’s slick new three-man attack.

Handed a licence by his manager to wreak havoc without having to worry too much about defending, Coutinho’s fluid skill set has hit new levels. He’s been popping up in unusual areas, and defenders are struggling to contain his influence.

His displays against Arsenal, Chelsea, West Brom and Crystal Palace were outstanding.

Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)

Thrust into a brand new centre-forward role, Alexis now looks like he’s played down the middle all his life. Making astute runs, backing into his markers, dropping off to link play, and running in beyond to score goals; the Chilean has breathed new life into the way Arsenal go forward.

His record of six goals and three assists in the PL is impressive, but still doesn’t do justice to the impact he’s made.

Diego Costa (Chelsea)

The real Diego Costa is back - and leading the race for this season’s Golden Boot with eight strikes.

I think he’s been world class in recent weeks. OK, so his temper is fragile, but whenever the Blues front man channels his aggression properly, defenders wilt in his slipstream. Brushing them aside, moving with intelligence, and finishing chances in a brutally efficient manner, Costa has been a tour de force in the opening 10 games.

Photos: AP, Reuters, Getty Images

BIG-MATCH PREDICTIONS

Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur
Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez are two exceptional talents that tip the balance of this North London derby in Arsenal’s favour. It will be tight, and Spurs won’t give an inch, but it’s hard to see them shutting the Gunners out.
Prediction: 1-0

Chelsea v Everton
Chelsea’s league form is superb; Everton’s is patchy. Defensively, Conte’s three central defenders have what it takes to contain Romelu Lukaku, but can the Toffees handle an on-song Hazard and Costa? I’m not so sure.
Prediction: 3-0

LIVE ON TV:

Tonight:

Man City v Middlesbrough (Singtel Ch102 & StarHub Ch227; 10.55pm)

West Ham v Stoke City (Ch103 & Ch228; 10.55pm)

Burnley v Crystal Palace (Ch104 & Ch229; 10.55pm)

Bournemouth v Sunderland (CH105 & Ch230; 10.55pm)

Sunday:

Chelsea v Everton (Ch103 & Ch228; 1.25am)

Arsenal v Tottenham (Ch103 & Ch228; 7.55pm)

Liverpool v Watford (Ch102 & Ch227; 10.15pm)

Hull v Southampton (Ch104 & CH229; 10.15pm)

Swansea v Man Utd (Ch105 & Ch230; 10.55pm)

Monday:
Leicester v West Brom (Ch102 & Ch227; 12.30am)

Follow Adrian Clarke on Twitter @adrianjclarke