The Premier League's irreplaceable players

Each and every team has that one player that is absolutely crucial in determining their success. If these players don't play, their team usually struggles in their absence. It is for this reason that there is a select few players in the Premier League that are quite simply irreplaceable. In this article, the Football Addick analyses the 6 most 'irreplaceable players' in the Premier League and justifies why they are so crucial to their team's success.

*Stats provided by Whoscored.com and Premierleague.com - for detailed statistics on every player of every team in the Premier League visit these links: https://www.whoscored.com/Statistics and https://www.premierleague.com/stats

N'golo Kante - Chelsea

Whoscored.com rating: 7.26

The all-action Frenchman has perhaps been under appreciated in the past two seasons. Last year it was Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez that stole the limelight each week. This year it has been Diego Costa and Eden Hazard. But for me, the real star in each of those sides has undoubtedly been Kante. He's the main reason why Leicester won the league last year, and he's the main reason why Chelsea are heavy favourites to win it this year. Since Kante arrived in England in the summer of 2015, he has only tasted defeat 6 times in 62 appearances. Given his contribution it is easy to see why. Last year, he led the league in interceptions (156) and tackles (175). This season, he is 9th in interceptions (58) and 2nd in tackles (91). Although his numbers have dropped slightly this season, they are still very impressive and underlines his status as one of the league's best box to box midfielders. Chelsea have already lost Diego Costa and Eden Hazard to injury on separate occasions this season, but have performed adequately in their absences. Fortunately for Chelsea, Kante has been an ever-present for virtually the whole season. Although we have no evidence in which to draw from, if Chelsea were to lose him to injury or suspension for a prolonged period of time, I guarantee his incredible work rate and contribution on both ends of the pitch would be impossible to replace.

Romelu Lukaku - Everton

Whoscored.com rating: 7.51

Lukaku's goals for Everton this year has been a big reason for their success. He currently has an impressive tally of 18 goals in 26 games, with a goal coming every 127 minutes. Everton's next highest scorers Seamus Coleman and Ross Barkley are well behind on 4 goals each. What makes his presence even more crucial, is that Everton have very few options with which they can adequately replace him with. They brought in Ademola Lookman in the January transfer window and although he can play upfront, at his age and inexperience he would be better used as a winger. Other than Lookman, they have Arouna Kone and Enner Valencia in their ranks, but neither are anywhere near in the same class as the powerful Belgian striker. This means Everton are perhaps over reliant on Lukaku to hit the back of the net, and it is undoubtedly his impressive goal tally that has kept the Toffees in with a shout of securing European football for next year. He is emerging into a world class striker and Everton will have a real battle on their hands to stave off the interest that will undoubtedly come his way in the summer.

Harry Kane - Tottenham

Whoscored.com rating: 7.49

Tottenham have emerged into title contenders in the past few years and it has also coincided with Kane's transformation into one of the world's most lethal strikers. The golden boot winner for the Premier League last season has been able to replicate his goal scoring form this term and he looks on course to regain the trophy this year. 19 goals in 22 games at 100 minutes per goal is an impressive tally for the striker, and he looks set to surpass his tally of 25 that he set last year. Kane's significance is further proven when you look at Tottenham's results when he hasn't played. He has only missed 5 games this year, but in that period Tottenham struggled in his absence and could only muster disappointing draws with West Brom, Bournemouth and Leicester. His significance is also shown through when he's out of the team they have only scored 6 goals in 5 games at 1.2 goals a game, but with him in the team they have scored 47 in 22 games at 2.14 goals a game. These stats alone highlights Kane's world class talent and is evidence that he is irreplaceable for Tottenham.

Alexis Sanchez - Arsenal

Whoscored.com rating: 7.86

Arsenal have under-performed for the vast majority of this season. There are not many players in Arsenal's ranks that can hold their head up high and say they've performed to a good standard, but Sanchez is most certainly one of them. The Chilean has largely been deployed as a central striker this year, a role that he is not familiar with, but one that he has taken to like a duck to water. He has been in impeccable form this season and he seems to be Arsenal's greatest attacking threat every game. This season he has contributed 17 goals in 26 games this season, whilst also adding 9 assists. On Saturday we were provided with further evidence that Arsenal desperately need him to be successful. Arsene Wenger decided to rest him for their trip to Liverpool, and looked out of sorts as they slumped to a 2 goal deficit at half time. But the Chilean was called upon in the second half and his introduction coincided with a much improved second half by Arsenal. Although they would still go on to lose, this game serves as evidence that he is truly irreplaceable. Unfortunately for Arsenal, he looks unlikely to extend his contract and thus it is looking likely that he will leave in the summer. This will be a massive blow for the North London side, who will either have to unearth a hidden gem or splash the cash in order to replace him. 

Virgil Van Dijk - Southampton

Whoscored.com rating: 7.42

The Dutchman has developed quickly in the past few years and this season he has established himself as one of the Premier League's best defenders. He has been a rock at the back for Southampton this season, with his whoscored.com rating of 7.42 being an indicator of how well he has performed this year. Van Dijk has recently been sidelined with an ankle injury, and Southampton have struggled to cope as a result. With the former Celtic man in the team, the Saints have only conceded 23 goals in 21 games at 1.1 per game. But with him out of the team, they have conceded a hefty 11 in 5 premier league games at 2.2 goals conceded per game. In addition, an argument can be made that if he had started for Southampton in the EFL Cup final The Saints would not have conceded 3 goals and thus would have lifted the trophy. His importance to the team is paramount, and I would not be surprised if he makes the step up to one of Europe's top teams in the summer.

Jermaine Defoe - Sunderland
Whoscored.com rating: 6.65

Sunderland have been diabolical this season. Other than himself and Pickford, amongst Sunderland's ranks consists of a bunch of average players. Therefore they find themselves rock bottom in the Premier League, with 19 points from 27 games. But one of their shining lights this season has been Jermaine Defoe. The Beckton born striker has scored goals wherever he has played in the past. West Ham, Bournemouth, Tottenham, Portsmouth, Toronto and now Sunderland; it doesn't matter where he goes, he still scores goals. At 34 years old he may be past his best, but despite his old age he is still considered as one of the most lethal finishers in the Premier League. Admittedly, Defoe doesn't do much on a football pitch. He's not very quick any more and he lacks the physical presence to hold the ball up for midfield runners. But what he does do, and what makes him so irreplaceable, is that he scores goals. He has pretty much won the vast majority of their 19 points through his goals alone. Of the 24 goals that Sunderland have scored, 14 have been scored by Defoe. That means Defoe alone has contributed 60% of Sunderland's overall tally. That is a remarkable statistic and proves Defoe's status of irreplaceable.  It can be said in great confidence that without Pickford and more importantly without Defoe, the Black Cats would already be relegated and would have points in the single figures.

Those also taken into consideration: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, David De Gea, Kasper Schmeichel, Eden Hazard, Toby Alderwiereld, Sadio Mane, Diego Costa, Jordan Pickford

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