Gabby Agbonlahor has controversially left out Declan Rice, Kevin De Bruyne and Virgil van Dijk from his top ten Premier League players.

That is despite the trio being standout players in Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool's top-flight title pursuit.

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Rice has been one of the league's standout players - but not in Agbonlahor's eyesCredit: AFP

The ex-Aston Villa striker reeled off his best players of the 2023/24 season on the talkSPORT Breakfast show, with Jarrod Bowen sneaking into tenth spot ahead of Van Dijk.

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He said: "He's that guy at West Ham, he's got 15 goals in the Premier League in a team you can say doesn't play as attacking as other teams.

"I think with the squad being 26, he definitely goes to the Euros as well with England."

Surprisingly slotting in at number nine is the league's joint leading scorer Erling Haaland.

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Giving his reasoning, Agbonlahor stated: "The standards he set last season, this season he has missed a lot of chances."

Rice's Gunners teammate William Saliba occupies eighth place, with Villans shot-stopper Emi Martinez in seventh.

Commenting on the World Cup winner, he remarked: "There's a reason why he's the best goalkeeper in the world for me."

De Bruye's midfield partner Rodri - dubbed 'Mr Reliable by Agbonlahor - was then picked at number six, with Bukayo Saka named in fifth.

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De Bruyne and Van Dijk were also left out of the top ten best players list

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West Ham forward Bowen was included in Agbonlahor's top ten for this seasonCredit: Getty

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As has City striker Haaland, though he was only selected in ninth placeCredit: Getty

As for number four, Agbonlahor said: "Ollie Watkins, I wanted to put him higher because he has been outstanding.

"What he's done for Aston Villa this season - 19 goals Premier League goals, 12 assists, zero penalties - he's been outstanding, definitely goes to the Euros, and you can argue that he deserves to break into the starting team."

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Chelsea star Cole Palmer was named in third spot, with Agbonlahor saying: "He's been outstanding, and when you watch him, he looks better with every game.

"No Palmer against Arsenal, no Chelsea.

They really rely on Cole Palmer."

Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard was then selected in second place, with the Norwegian maestro boasting 16 Premier League goal involvements this term.

"When you watch Odegaard, his first touch, his clever balls, he's an outstanding player and one Arsenal need to definitely keep for the rest of his career", Agbonlahor commented.

And as for his best player this campaign, few would argue against his choice of City forward Phil Foden.

Agbonlahor said of the Three Lions magician: "He's a player that, not many players in the Premier League are world class, Phil Foden is world class.

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Agbonlahor named Odegaard and Foden as his top two players in the Premier League

"16 Premier League goals, he's the main man now, in previous seasons it's been De Bruyne.

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"He's been outstanding, he can play anywhere across the front line, even as a false nine.

"We have to build a squad and a team at the Euros around Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham."


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