The 2022/23 Premier League season has already been full of action and goals. Manchester City may well be showing the form of runaway champions, but Arsenal have been strong too.

In addition to teams playing well, there have been some sensational individual displays. Erling Haaland turned the Premier League into his personal play-pen. Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus looks every bit the complete forward who led Palmeiras to the Brazilian title.

It’s always difficult to rank players in the Premier League, especially because of the intense fandom involved. Yet, after around eight games we can start to see patterns emerging.

Who are the Top-5 performing Premier League players so far?

#1 Erling Haaland (Manchester City)

Erling Haaland is the Premier League’s top scorer. He has hit hat-tricks in three successive home games for Manchester City and could well break the all-time single-season scoring record in the Premier League.

Haaland is incredible. He doesn’t need to be involved in build-up play. Many worried about this once he joined Manchester City. Through eight games, it seems to be a non-issue.

Manchester City needed a goalscorer, and he is the very best around. You can’t stop him. His movement is so decisive, he can be stood still and like a shark he is in the penalty area ready to strike. The ball is in the back of the net before the defense realizes what is happening.

His haul of 14 league goals in eight games is staggeringly good. Plus, there are no signs of an impending lull anytime soon.

#2 James Maddison (Leicester City)

It’s hard to stand out in a team that continuously suffers appalling results. Leicester City’s season has been abject, yet James Maddison leaves a mark on games all the same.

In seven games he has five goals to go along with two assists. He has looked to make things happen for Leicester when those around him have hidden.

An England call-up is on the cards ahead of the World Cup. Based on form, it is hard to turn heads away from Maddison. He is one of the most creative players in the league.

#3 Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal)

Gabriel Jesus was good at Manchester City. However, the intricate nature of the play hindered his output and contribution. There, he needed to pass the ball within a few seconds of receiving it.

He is a far better player than that. Jesus is the archetypal Brazilian. He plays with flair, confidence and likes to dribble with the ball.

His move to the Gunners allowed fans to see this complete forward. The same player who led Palmeiras to the Brazilian championship as a teenager.

Arsenal needed a player like Jesus since Thierry Henry left the club. He is having that kind of an early impact. He has scored five goals and has three assists.

#4 Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)

Arsenal deserves to have two representatives in the top five Premier League players of this young season.

Bukayo Saka started the 2022/23 Premier League season tremendously well. After emerging as a utility option as a wing-back in recent years, Saka is now very much an elite playmaking option in attack.

In eight EPL matches this term he has contributed four assists and scored a solitary goal. His work-rate is exceptional and he’s only going to get better.

He might not get the plaudits he deserves. His style is unassuming but it makes a difference. Mikel Arteta couldn’t enjoy the early-season success he’s had without the winger’s contributions.

#5 Ivan Toney (Brentford)

Ivan Toney will not end the season at Brentford. He’s too good. This is a centre-forward that should be kicking the door down to Gareth Southgate’s office to be on the plane to Qatar.

Harry Kane has issues when matches in tournaments go the distance. He can become a passenger. Ivan Toney is the perfect option to come off the bench.

He has five Premier League goals and two assists thus far this term, placing him among the best performing players.

Brentford rely on him to hold the ball up, make brilliant forward runs and to finish chances that come to him.

His chipped goal against Leeds United was a thing of beauty. It showed his technical level is far beyond what many believed last season.

If he doesn’t end the Premier League season with twenty goals it will be a surprise.

PHOTO: IMAGO / PRIME Media Images