Wilshere, Lukaku and Sterling make my top-six stars of the season so far, but who is my No 1?

Eden Hazard is my best player so far this campaign
Christian Benteke ranks among the three worst
Crystal Palace's Joel Ward doesn't get enough credit
Arsenal fans' chant about Wojciech Szczseny is the best in football
Just what is the point of Charlie Adam?

PUBLISHED: 18:38 EST, 30 December 2013 | UPDATED: 08:43 EST, 31 December 2013

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These six players don’t always grab the headlines; others may have scored more goals, others might actually be better. But pound-for-pound, for me, the following players have either improved dramatically or they’ve had a bigger impact for their team than anyone else.

6 Jack Wilshere

To have had as many injuries as he has had, and to come back and become a regular in Arsenal’s central midfield this season with the competition for places at the Emirates shows just how brilliant Wilshere is. He is so good on the ball it’s a joy to watch. And he is strong; watch him hold off challenges from opponents who think they can out-muscle him because he’s only 5’7”.

Midfield maestro: Jack Wilshere (left) has been influential in the middle of the park for Arsenal this season

He’s starting to add goals to his game – the one against Norwich earlier this season was so special I described it as the best ever in the Premier League. The Arsenal fans love him that’s for sure, but if there is one criticism it is that he gives the ball away too much. But he isn’t knocking it three yards back to a centre half all the time – he is trying passes with imagination and creativity and they won’t always come off.

But many of them do, and those passes prove Jack Wilshere is an English footballer we should treasure, and one we will definitely need in the heat of Brazil in the summer.

Sportsmail Freestyle with JACK WILSHERE

5 Romelu Lukaku

After a draw at Norwich on the opening day of the season, Everton were then held to goalless draws at home by West Brom and away at Cardiff. I was at two of those three games and whether it was Nikica Jelavic or Arouna Kone up front both strikers were useless. Looking back it’s hard to believe that team are now playing free flowing football with plenty of goals and sitting in a Champions League position. The difference? Romelu Lukaku.

As soon as he arrived the whole club got a lift. He keeps defenders busy in a way Jelavic and Kone can only dream about. Of course other Everton players have played well – Seamus Coleman, Gareth Barry and Ross Barkley all looking special. But if you don’t score you don’t win, and Lukaku’s arrival was a masterstroke from Roberto Martinez. Bear in mind Jose Mourinho had told everyone earlier in August that Lukaku wasn’t going anywhere on loan. Bringing in the Belgian wasn’t in Martinez’s plans, that’s for sure. It’s a gem that fell in his lap and he’s making the most of it.

Loan star: Romelu Lukkau has been an instant hit at Everton after signing on loan from Chelsea in the summer

The downside is, he’s not an Everton player. Even if his goals lift them into the Champions League, and Everton find the resources to finance a deal, Chelsea are hardly likely to sell him to a rival. The other interesting aspect of this Lukaku deal is that it could be the catalyst for a re-think and a massive change to the loan system.

Will the Premier League continue to allow established international players give a club a temporary boost to lift them into a position that doesn’t truly reflect their level? If I borrow £1million I can’t call myself a millionaire can I? It’s one to watch. For now though, Everton have Lukaku, and they are great to watch.

FOOTBALL FREESTYLE with Romelu Lukaku

4 Fernandinho

In early June, when Sportsmail’s Jamie Redknapp described Fernandinho as the signing of the summer, I thought he’d lost it. Jamie suggested the Brazilian buy from Shakhtar Donetsk could go on to be the best midfielder in the Premier League this season. Just proves that Jamie knows his stuff.

His performances tend to be overshadowed by Sergio Aguero's goals, a Yaya Toure free-kick, Vincent Kompany’s leadership or David Silva’s passing but Fernandinho is box to box, he’s a threat, he’s full of running and quality, plus he’s been excellent for Manchester City. My view is that he’s made the difference to see them through their Champions League group. Will Luiz Felipe Scolari take notice in time for the World Cup or, at 28, is Fernandinho just too old to add to his five international caps?

In control: Fernandinho has dominated the Manchester City midfield since joining the club from Shakhtar

Sportsmail Freestyle with Edin Dzeko, Jack Rodwell and...

3 Adam Lallana

This goalscoring midfielder who can run with the ball and pass it, is having a great season.

talkSPORT sends me to a Premier League game each Saturday and when I’m told it’s Southampton I’m happy because Lallana is the kind of player I could watch all day. His goal against Hull City was very special, but it’s not just about hitting the back of the net.

His link-up play with Jay Rodriguez in particular has been top class. If Lallana can take that Premier League form to the international stage consistently then he has a massive future for his country as well as his club.

International star? Adam Lallana could be an England regular if he maintains the form he shows for Southampton

Adam Lallana: Thoroughly disappointed with both results

2 Raheem Sterling

Yes I know Luis Suarez has scored bags of goals and been brilliant but Liverpool needed him to make a difference in the two games after Christmas and he didn’t. Worse than that he reverted to type with some of his antics. Check out Suarez’s goals – other than Everton and Spurs he’s not scored against the big clubs. Flat-track bully? Listen, Suarez has been brilliant for Liverpool, but I’d prefer to focus on a player who has made huge strides to help Liverpool hit the summit this season.

In the summer, Raheem Sterling’s future was in doubt. Having made his England debut his form dipped, there were off the field headlines, and he wasn’t getting a start for Liverpool. Some suggested he needed to go out on loan. But as the season has gone on he has grasped the chance to help Liverpool in Daniel Sturridge’s absence and he’s had a big impact. He is also one of the quickest players in the Premier League, giving Liverpool something a little bit extra in attack. He ended the Chelsea game at right back, not ideal, but proof that he has grown into a real team player in a short space of time.

Speed to burn: Raheem Sterling has shone for Liverpool in the absence of the injured Daniel Sturridge

Raheem Sterling bicycle kick in England U21 head tennis session

1 Eden Hazard

We’ve been waiting a while for Eden Hazard to finally show everyone just how brilliant he is but finally he is doing just that. Last season when he was on top of his game Hazard was unplayable but it didn’t happen often enough. This season, in the absence of a decent striker, and with Juan Mata not trusted by the manager, Hazard has been thrust to the forefront. He has embraced Mourinho’s defensive priorities, and when he’s had the chance to shine he has done that, spectacularly sometimes.

I’ve seen Chelsea quite a few times this season and they’ve not impressed me greatly to be honest. Hazard has lifted them above the ordinary with some brilliant football, and he’s a huge reason why they are very much in the mix at the top of the table. I tipped Chelsea to win the title, and Hazard could well be the one to take them there.

Flourishing: Eden Hazard has stamped his authority all over the Chelsea team in Jose Mourinho's first season back

A GOOD PLAYER WHO NEVER, EVER GETS MENTIONED

Crystal Palace’s Joel Ward. Comfortable on the ball, defensively sound at full back, but recently shifted into central midfield by Tony Pulis. Even when Palace were awful he looked good, and this is his first full season at this level. He looks like he’s at home in the Premier League.

THE WORST THREE PLAYERS SO FAR THIS SEASON

1 Sebastien Bassong

The Norwich captain was the fans’ Player of the Season in 2012-13 but his form has dipped dramatically this campaign and is one of the reasons Norwich have struggled to pick up results.

Fall guy: Sebastien Bassong (left) has struggled to replicate the form he showed last season for Norwich

2 Kevin Nolan

He may have scored a goal against West Brom on Saturday, but Hammers fans know the highly-paid captain of West Ham has been well below his best this season - some were even glad when he was suspended for three games recently. Sam Allardyce has secured Nolan a couple of massive contracts in his career, which is some achievement for a player with no pace whatsoever, so he shouldn’t be letting his manager down.

3 Christian Benteke

As good as he was last season, the Belgian striker has been poor this campaign. What makes it worse is that he was awarded a fat new £60,000-a-week contract in July, after threatening to leave with a transfer request. It’s about time he started earning that kind of money.

All gone wrong: Christian Benteke has failed to find the net with the same regularity he showed last season

Enlarge

Durham in disguise: MailOnline Sport columnist Adrian watches Arsenal from the away end at Newcastle

BEST CHANT

My better half is a Gooner so her Christmas present was a ticket in the away end at Newcastle on Sunday and of course I went with her – in disguise.

I laughed out loud at the Arsenal fans’ song for their keeper, to the tune of London Bridge Is Falling Down.

'Wojciech Szczesny built my house, built my house, built my house.

'Wojciech Szczesny built my house – he is Polish.

'Fabianski f**ked it up, f**ked it up, f**ked it up.

'Fabianski f**ked it up – he is Polish.'

Singing: Wojciech Szczesny has become a fans' favourite after making the No 1 jersey his own at Arsenal

Sadly it might be just a matter of time before the song is banned. Someone will be deeply offended by the Polish stereotype (although the song seems to suggest there are good and bad Polish builders out there, which isn’t surprising or even offensive is it?). Of course there is an expletive in the song so it has little or no future really. Clearing up racism and offensive songs at football grounds is a great thing, but let’s hope we don’t go too far with it. Football fans have a great sense of humour.

PLAYER I JUST DON’T GET

Charlie Adam rounded off his year by injuring yet another Tottenham player, something he seems to have built a career on. On Sunday he launched into the ankle and foot of Paulinho, forcing the Brazilian off. In years gone by he has twice taken out Gareth Bale – once when he was at Blackpool and once in a pre-season match in the USA when he was with Liverpool, and he went in knee high on Scott Parker two seasons ago and saw red. So I know Adam can cause injury to opponents with reckless fouls but I want to know if there’s anything else he can do.

Bad boy: Charlie Adam (left) injured Paulinho (right) on Saturday in his latest dangerous incident

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aNDYnORWICH, Norwich, United Kingdom, 2 days ago

Worst 3: 1.Bassong 2. Bassong 3. Bassong . Oh, and Hughton (AKA Coco The Clown) gives him a fat new contract as he thinks he's a valuable asset. Reminds me of Titus Bramble, personally.

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Mr reality, Planet earth, 2 days ago

Wilshere gets praise from anyone who he tweets. He knows what side his bread is buttered in terms of getting talked up by the press. Most Arsenal fans prefer it when he doesn't play - based on current form.

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rsc1993, London, United Kingdom, 2 days ago

Wilshere has been well off his best this season and has been overshadowed by the majority of the Arsenal midfield this season. Coutinho has been incredible this season, while he offers next to nothing defensively theres no one better in the league to be leading a counter attack currently

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hodge82, Liverpool, 2 days ago

Ramsey? Suarez? Coleman? Not in there? Are you nuts? More questions? Yes please. P.S. Sterling?

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patto69, Belfast, 2 days ago

Once the media singled out Wilshere 'as the future of England' it was a target on his back. Time after time he is singled out for attention and the cowardly tackle through the back. He deserves to be in the top 6.

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Stretfordhead, Houston Texas., 2 days ago

Wilshire? Really?He won't even get on the plane to Brazil.

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The Voice of Reason, England, United Kingdom, 2 days ago

£30m Fernandinho? He cant even get past £17m Paulinho in Brazils midfield. Lets face it a manager who has WON the World Cup knows a bit more about a players ability than me or anyone else. Let me ask a question to those that disagree, How many times have you won the World Cup? Yaya Toure is twice the player Fernandinho is and he should be on this list instead.

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kev.a, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom, 2 days ago

I was there on Sunday, and yes, there is no denying the fact that Charlie's challenge on Paulinho was strong and hard. As a fan I fully understand the Spurs' fans reaction, which of course has been exacerbated by previous events! Paulinho is a top player and I hope he makes a speedy recovery. As for Durhams' comments and the article in general it has served its purpose by attracting so many reactions!