WhoScored Predicts: Premier League top signing, scorer, youngster and player

Try not to get too excited... but the Premier League returns tonight. Liverpool host Norwich in the 2019/20 curtain raiser and with the campaign kicking off, the WhoScored team deliver their predictions for top signing, scorer, youngster and player of the year for the upcoming season...

Martin Laurence - @martinlaurence7

Top rated signing - Sebastien Haller (West Ham) 

The perfect profile of striker for a West Ham side hoping for a European push this season, Haller has all the tools to be a big hit at the London Stadium. He can dominate opposition defenders in the air and outmuscle them on the deck and is a strong finisher in the box. Crucially his hold up play is excellent and given the attacking options at Manuel Pellegrini’s disposal, the Frenchman should prove to be the perfect focal point to get the best out of those around him. 

Top scorer - Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) 

It may seem a bold shout to suggest Sterling will be the top scorer for Manchester City let alone in the Premier League as a whole to some. However, the England international picks up glaring goalscoring positions in almost every match now and could see action as a centre-forward over the course of the season. With Kevin De Bruyne back fit Sterling could be provided with even more chances this season and I think he’s a strong outside bet for the Golden Boot.  

Young Player of the Year - Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) 

It’s incredible to think that Alexander-Arnold is still just 20 years old. There’s a genuine case to be made that he is one of the very best right-backs in the world, let alone the Premier League, and the way in which he ended last season suggests that he is still improving. That might seem obvious for a player of his age but given how good the Liverpool starlet already is it’s frightening to consider how good he can become. 

Player of the Year - Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) 

If the Belgian can avoid injury, and that’s a considerable if, he should prove to be the best player in the Premier League. Pipped to the PFA award by the remarkable goalscoring form of Mo Salah in 2017/18, the playmaker will be aiming to go one better this time around and return to the form which saw him register 34 assists in the two seasons prior to last. 

Ben McAleer - @BenMcAleer1

Top rated signing - Sebastien Haller (West Ham) 

Sebastien Haller is a striker who would walk into nigh-on any Premier League side and impress, so for West Ham to have won the race to land the Frenchman; it’s a signal of intent to make Europe, and then some. Haller is one who’ll thrive in England, with the 25-year-old an adept forward with the ball in the air or to feet. His new attacking teammates will thrive with a striker of his calibre in attack and a willingness to either go for goal or create for others adds another dimension to West Ham’s frontline. 

Top scorer - Harry Kane (Tottenham) 

To have scored 17 league goals despite two serious ankle injuries, which restricted Harry Kane to 28 Premier League appearances, speaks volumes of his goalscoring quality. With a full pre-season under his belt, the Tottenham star will again be confident of recording another fine goal return, particularly if he can remain injury free. A second 30-goal season of his career is a distinct possibility for Kane, who’ll reap the benefits of a summer free of competitive action. 

Young Player of the Year - Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) 

Trent Alexander-Arnold was the best rated player aged 23 and under in the Premier League last season, returning a WhoScored rating of 7.36. At just 20 years of age, the Liverpool right-back has made a first team starting berth his own for the Reds as he bombards upfield with intent. 12 Premier League assists was a superb return for the England international and if he can repeat his form from last season, then he should be a shoo-in for this award. 

Player of the Year - Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) 

Raheem Sterling was one of three players to register double figures for both goals and assists in the Premier League last season and he set out his intentions for another storming campaign with the opening goal in Manchester City’s Community Shield win over Liverpool. His WhoScored rating (7.61) was second only to Eden Hazard (7.81) in England’s top tier last term and another similarly impressive campaign under Pep Guardiola will see him quickly emerge as one of the favourites for the individual gong. 

Josh Wright - @_WrightJosh

Top rated signing - Joao Cancelo (Manchester City)  

Having won the Premier League with 98 points last season, it’s perhaps difficult to pin-point where exactly Manchester City can improve. However, for the last two campaigns it has felt City have been short at right-back. That’s not to say Kyle Walker has played badly in that time, but it has seemed like opposition teams can get at City from that side. Lapses in concentration and individual errors tend to come from Walker and the arrival of Joao Cancelo from Juventus is an exciting one. He has finished in the WhoScored Serie A Team of the Season in each of the last two campaigns, both with different teams, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him rate highly again in 2019/20.  

Top scorer - Harry Kane (Tottenham) 

Injury problems limited Harry Kane to just 27 league starts for Tottenham last season and his lowest goal return in a Premier League campaign since establishing himself as a first-team regular in 2014/15. If Kane can remain relatively injury free in 2019/20 then it will be difficult to stop the England captain from claiming his third Premier League Golden Boot award.  

Player of the Year - Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) 

Last season was an absolute nightmare for Kevin De Bruyne, with various injuries limiting the Belgium international to just 11 league starts. He was forced to watch his Manchester City team-mates wrap up the domestic treble without ever really contributing but now the 28-year-old is finally back to full fitness and will be keen to make up for lost time. City are favourites for the title once again and De Bruyne’s return only strengthens their chances of a third straight league triumph.  

Young Player of the Year  - Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) 

Trent Alexander-Arnold was a revelation for Liverpool last season and was unfortunate not to be crowned Young Player of the Year. The 20-year-old set a new record for the most assists recorded by a defender in a Premier League campaign (12) in 2018/19 and has arguably been the best right-back in the world over the last 12 months. Liverpool will be City’s closest title challengers again this season and things will surely only get better for Alexander-Arnold from here on out.