1) Manchester City: Kevin De Bruyne

The Belgian is the obvious pick of the bunch from a squad packed with players who dazzled this season, which shows just how good he has been. City’s creator in chief was the only player to reach triple figures for chances created (106) and he has registered the most assist in Europe’s top leagues (16). Rating: 7.80

2) Manchester United: Romelu Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku has led the line admirably for Manchester United this season, with a direct hand in at least one goal in two thirds (21) of his league appearances. The 25-year-old’s hold-up play was very good, yielding seven assists, and his workrate cannot be faulted. Rating: 7.29

3) Tottenham Hotspur: Harry Kane

Even though he missed out on the Golden Boot, Harry Kane scored 30 league goals this season for the first time in his career. He showed some moments of brilliance, not only in the penalty box, but also with his vision and range of passing. Rating: 7.60

Mohamed Salah ended his sensational debut season at Liverpool by winning the Golden Boot and setting a record for goals scored in a 38-game Premier League campaign. His return of 32 goals would have been unimaginable nine monghs ago. He also amassed 10 assists, ensuring he had a direct hand in a goal every 70 minutes – a remarkable level of consistency. Rating: 7.69

The Premier League’s top goalscorer this season. Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images

Eden Hazard may have fallen short of last season’s figures but at his best he is still among the league’s elite. Indeed, no player won more of our man of the match awards and he only started 28 games. He also retained his status as the league’s best dribbler by a distance, completing 165. Rating: 7.69

It’s difficult to pick out a star player from the Arsène Wenger’s swansong season. Nacho Monreal has seldom let his manager down in recent seasons and he has found an unlikely goalscoring knack, scoring five times this season, having failed to find the net in the league in four full seasons beforehand. Rating: 7.13

The embodiment of Burnley’s surprising success, James Tarkowski, stepped up to replace Michael Keane this season and helped guide the club into the Europa League. The 25-year-old ranks among the top 10 players in the league for both clearances (7.1) and aerial duels won per game (4.7). His importance to the side was clear, with Burnley failing to win in the seven matches he missed. Rating: 7.22

To say Everton didn’t really have any standout players would be an understatement. Idrissa Gueye was a solid performer amid all the averageness. The Senegalese midfielder again broke up play with impressive regularity; his average of 3.5 tackles per game was the second highest in the league. The 28-year-old may be hoping to impress potential suitors at the World Cup this summer. Rating: 6.95

9) Leicester City: Riyad Mahrez

It was good to see Leicester’s star players back on form this season. Jamie Vardy had an impressive season once more, scoring 20 league goals, and much of that was down to Riyad Mahrez, who was one of only five players to reach double figures for both goals (12) and assists (10) – seven of the latter teed up Vardy, making theirs the most efficient combination in the league. Rating: 7.28

10) Newcastle United: Jamaal Lascelles

Newcastle fans could not have asked for better than the top-half finish Rafa Benítez and his side secured, marshalled superbly by captain Jamaal Lascelles. The 24-year-old was a cool head at the back, always looking to play out from defence. He was strong in the air at both ends of the pitch, scoring three times and leading the way for Newcastle in both clearances and aerial duels won. Rating: 7.04

11) Crystal Palace: Wilfried Zaha

Palace only finished outside of the top half of the table on goal difference, a remarkable feat given they began the season with seven straight defeats. It’s impossible to overstate the influence Wilfried Zaha had after coming back from injury. The forward missed 10 games in total and the Eagles lost all 10. He scored nine goals this season, the most prolific of his career. Only Eden Hazard completed more dribbles than Zaha and only Raheem Sterling won more penalties. Rating: 7.38

The best player outside the top six? Photograph: Christopher Lee/Getty Images

Bournemouth’s two survival campaigns – both secured well ahead of time – have been down to the collective rather than one or two key players. Simon Francis, the team’s captain, embodied that team spirit and willingness to work. He split his time between centre-back and right-back, and was consistent in both positions, winning the most aerial duels for the club (4.4 per game). Rating: 6.96

13) West Ham United: Marko Arnautovic

The Hammers’ record summer signing looked like a waste of money in the first few months of the season but he has been the undisputed star under David Moyes. Without his goals, the club would have been in real danger of the drop. His eventual tally of 11 goals – along with six assists – matches West Ham’s best from a single player since Bobby Zamora hit that figure way back in the 2006-07 season. Rating: 7.07

His influence waned in the second half of the season as the club drifted towards safety, but Abdoulaye Doucouré was Watford’s star player. The midfielder was at the heart of every move, averaging well over 10 passes per game more than any of his team-mates. He won possession in the middle third more than any other player in the Premier League and had a direct hand in 10 goals. Rating: 7.00

Brighton had some strong performers this season, but the centre-back pairing of Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy were pivotal to their success. Duffy tends to be overlooked but was the busier of the two, making the most clearances (8.8) and blocks per game (1.6) in the entire league and winning the most aerial duels of any centre-back. Rating: 7.18

Another rock at the back for one of the three promoted survivors, Christopher Schindler enjoyed a very impressive debut season in the Premier League. The 28-year-old missed just one game, through suspension, and his proactive attitude was key to the team’s pressing style. The German made more tackles than any other centre-back in the league (2.2 per game). Rating: 7.11

The campaign may have ended in relief and elation, but it was bitterly disappointing for Southampton, who dropped nine places from last season. Their most reliable player for the last two seasons, Oriol Romeu, was not always at his best, but he still led the way for the side in both tackles (2.7) and interceptions per game (2). Rating: 6.92

18) Swansea City: Jordan Ayew

One of few Swansea players who will be on the radar of Premier League clubs this summer following their relegation, Jordan Ayew can hold his head high with regards to never giving up the fight. The Ghanaian had a direct hand in at least three more goals than any of his team-mates (nine) and weighed in with a highly commendable 2.3 tackles per game – ranking second for the Swans from his attacking position. Rating: 6.91

Swansea are going down but Jordan Ayew can hold his head up. Photograph: Tim Ireland/AP

19) Stoke City: Kurt Zouma

It will be interesting to see what the future holds for Kurt Zouma after what was, from an individual perspective, a worthwhile loan spell at Stoke. The 23-year-old secured solid figures for interceptions (1.8) and clearances per game (6.8) and will be keen to stay in the Premier League, be it with Chelsea or, more likely, on loan once more. Rating: 7.12

20) West Bromwich Albion: Craig Dawson

Despite the unlikeliest of bids for a great escape under Darren Moore, the Baggies finished bottom of the pile and are likely to field many offers for players this summer. Craig Dawson may be an exception. He has been among the club’s most reliable performers for some time and should hope to find a new home in his favoured centre-back role. The defender is very strong in the air and would be an astute signing for a club looking to add some steel to their backline. Rating: 7.01

Premier League team of the season

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