David Silva, Wayne Rooney and the Premier League's Top 10 Players of the Season

The international break has given everyone time to draw breath after a blistering start to the Premier League season.

Manchester City lead the way at the top having blitzed even their biggest rivals away from home, while Newcastle and Tottenham have shown real signs of staying power in the race for Champions League qualification. 

But which players have been the pick of the bunch?

With comments and opinions welcomed, here's the top 10 of 2011-12 so far.

1. David Silva

The Spanish schemer has unlocked the best defences the Premier League has to offer on a weekly basis and was the architect of the most significant result of the season so far.

David Silva's magnificent through-ball for Manchester City’s sixth goal at Old Trafford last month was the perfect example of his abilities as a footballer—accuracy, poise and perfect technique.

Silva’s displays have been enough to force his way into the reckoning for the all-conquering Spanish team, and his two goals against Scotland in a Euro 2012 qualifier in Alicante capped yet another superb display.

If he keeps it up, expect the former Valencia player to be picking up a few personal awards at the end of the season.

2. Robin Van Persie

The Dutch striker has appeared to be carrying Arsene Wenger’s side on his slender shoulders for most of this season.

A haul of 11 goals already has certainly given fans at the Emirates something to smile about after a terrible few months; van Persie looks to be in the form of his life. 

Most importantly (and whisper it quietly), he has remained largely injury-free for the past 12 months, which has undoubtedly helped his progression to truly becoming a world class player.

The 28-year-old under-performed in Holland’s run to the 2010 World Cup Final and still has something to prove at international level, but he couldn’t be more popular in the red half of north London at the moment.     

3. Wayne Rooney

After starting the season in fabulous form in front of goal, Rooney has been used as a central midfielder by Sir Alex Ferguson in the last couple of games and showed his considerable abilities in the new role.

The 25-year-old’s best position remains the shadow striker’s role and United supporters will hope he will be back alongside Javier Hernandez after the international break.

Ferguson must be secretly pleased that Rooney was not in the England squad to play Spain and Sweden as it will give his most important player the opportunity to get some much-needed rest.

They will definitely need him to be firing on all cylinders as the winter unfolds if they are to deny that team down the road.

4. Mario Balotelli

"I’m not mad, even if sometimes I do things that are a bit strange," Mario Balotelli has said.

But besides his exploits off the pitch, Balotelli has been in sparkling form for City.

His reaction to scoring the opening goal in the 6-1 rout at Old Trafford was one of the most memorable moments of the season so far, and his performances have paid back the faith Roberto Mancini has invested in the Italian international.

How long things stay rosy in Balotelli’s garden remains to be seen, although he has shown a willingness to mature as a player—if not as a man.

Playing with fireworks, smoking, and playing with your i-Pad on the bench isn’t everyone’s idea of preparation for a big match, but what works for the goose...   

5. Yohann Cabaye

The Frenchman arrived at Newcastle in the summer to little fanfare, yet he has orchestrated the rise of the season’s surprise package so far.

Pulling the strings in midfield alongside workaholic Cheick Tiote, Cabaye has thus far been the standout performer for the Toon Army, capping his displays with a brilliant goal against Wigan last month.

The 25-year-old has also become a regular for his country under Laurent Blanc, but may come under pressure for his spot as the build-up to Euro 2012 intensifies.

Inspiring Newcastle to the Champions League for the first time since 2003 wouldn’t be a bad way to persuade him otherwise.   

6. Ledley King

It’s surely no coincidence that Tottenham’s magnificent run of seven wins in their last eight matches have coincided with King’s return to the heart of their defence.

After making only six appearances last season, Harry Redknapp’s decision to only play his inspirational captain in Premier League matches is so far paying dividends.

The 31-year-old has even been tipped for an England recall with John Terry’s woes increasing, but that may be a bridge too far at the moment.

But if he can somehow make it through to the end of the season without breaking down, then King could be putting on a different white shirt in the summer.  

7. Luis Suarez

Despite only arriving at the start of the year, Suarez has already become indispensable to Kenny Dalglish.

Just as Steven Gerrard was once the team’s talisman, the Uruguayan striker is now the focal point of everything on the pitch for Liverpool; their fortunes this season will rest largely in his hands.

So far, he has produced some jaw-dropping goals and performances, but struggled to find the consistency required to lift his side into the top four.

That will surely come as he settles into his new surroundings, but the question remains whether the supporting cast is good enough to give him a hand.

8. Juan Mata

It all seemed so easy for Juan Mata when he first arrived in England.

The Spaniard was outstanding for Chelsea in the opening weeks of the season, but has suffered a slight dip as his club have stuttered.

His understanding with Fernando Torres could turn out to be the key for Andre Villas Boas as the season progresses, with Chelsea now looking like they are in a fight for the top four rather than the title.

Things can change very quickly in the Premier League though, so don’t rule out Mata pushing his compatriot Silva for individual honours at the end of the season.  

9. Micah Richards

Not good enough for England, but undoubtedly good enough for this list is Micah Richards.

Richards was the man of the match against City’s remarkable win at Old Trafford, and must be wondering what he has to do to be selected for his country.

The Leeds-born defender has been in superb form all season and has relegated Pablo Zabaleta to the subs bench for Roberto Mancini’s league leaders. 

And although captain Vincent Kompany almost makes it, Richards gets the nod for his all-action displays on the right flank. 

Surely, Fabio Capello can’t keep ignoring him if he becomes part of the first City side to win the title in more than 40 years.  

10. Fabricio Coloccini

Newcastle’s rise to the giddy heights of the top three has been built on the bedrock of their superb defence, and the Argentinian with the frizzy hair has played a major role.

Together with Danny Simpson and Steven and Ryan Taylor, Coloccini has ensured Alan Pardew’s side has only conceded eight goals from 11 matches so far—a testament to what having a settled back four can do for you.

Each have been ever-present in the Premier League so far, but there’s no doubt who Newcastle fans would miss most if he were absent.