Although he has not been at his brilliant best of late, Bruno Fernandes has proved himself to be one of the finest players in the Premier League on his day.
The Manchester United playmaker joined from Sporting Lisbon for an initial £47million in January 2020 and quickly set about scoring and assisting at will. His statistics make for eye-catching reading, with an astonishing 64 goal involvements (38 goals and 26 assists) in 99 outings in the English top flight.
He has only scored twice in the league this season, but a player of his calibre remains well-placed to judge his peers. The 28-year-old did just that towards the end of the 2020/21 campaign, when he picked out nine stars - excluding his United teammates - who are up there with the best in the Premier League.
Here, Mirror Football revisits his selections nearly two years down the line...
Kevin De Bruyne
The Belgian's inclusion comes as no surprise to any football fan. The key player at the heart of the Manchester City winning machine, De Bruyne has only matured like a fine wine since Fernandes praised him.
This season, he has contributed three goals and a remarkable 11 assists in all competitions, with many regarding him as the best midfielder in the world.
Ilkay Gundogan
He may not make the headlines as often as De Bruyne, but the German is a classy operator in his own right. Gundogan has helped City win four Premier League titles and remains just as important for Pep Guardiola as ever, earning the role of club captain this season.
Ruben Dias
The third City player to make the cut, Fernandes included fellow Portuguese Dias as one of the nine players he name-dropped in May 2021. The dominant centre-back is rarely missing from a defence which is otherwise chopped and changed by Guardiola, and was named FWA Footballer of the Year for the 2020/21 campaign.
Jack Grealish
Although he now plies his trade at the Etihad Stadium, Grealish was an Aston Villa player at the time when Fernandes was speaking. Having fired Villa to promotion from the Championship, the English playmaker was enjoying a fine second season back in the Premier League.
He would go on to earn a £100million transfer to City in the summer of 2021, but has struggled to live up to that price tag. This season, he has been involved in many a spat with Graeme Souness and has only scored once in all competitions.
Why has Jack Grealish struggled since his big-money move to Manchester City? Have your say in the comments...
Mason Mount
Another midfield mainstay for the Three Lions, Mount has earned many admirers for his tireless work rate, versatility and eye for a game-changing goal or assist. After a slow start to the season, the 23-year-old showed signs of his best form in October as he chipped in with two goals and four assists in all competitions.
Harry Kane
Like De Bruyne, Kane's inclusion on this list needs no explanation. The Tottenham talisman is one of the greatest strikers in the world and continues to prove it time and time again, even when those around him are struggling. Only City sensation Erling Haaland (17) can better Kane's tally of 10 Premier League goals this season.
Patrick Bamford
Fernandes heaping praise on Bamford might come as a surprise to some, especially as he has seriously struggled with injuries in recent months. However, his blistering performances during the 2020/21 season should not be forgotten; the 29-year-old plundered 17 Premier League goals for Leeds in their first season back in the top flight, although he is yet to score this time around.
Raphinha
Then a teammate of Bamford, the Brazilian was one of the most pleasing players to watch in England before sealing a move to Barcelona this summer. A technically-gifted winger eager with a direct edge, Raphinha scored 17 goals in two seasons for Leeds and now plays a bit-part role under Xavi at Camp Nou.
Mohamed Salah
The Liverpool phenomenon has smashed many a record since returning to the Premier League in 2017, earning countless team and individual honours in the process. Perhaps a victim of his own success, Salah has come in for criticism at times this season but was on the scoresheet in Tuesday's victory over Napoli, taking his tally to a commendable 12 goals in 19 appearances.
