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Who is the 2017/18 Premier League breakout star?

Soccer Saturday pundits
Image: The Soccer Saturday pundits have selected their breakout stars

This Premier League season has seen many players take their game to the next level. But who do the Soccer Saturday pundits pick as their breakout stars of 2017/18?

We asked Paul Merson, Matt Le Tissier, Charlie Nicholas and Phil Thompson to select the player they feel has hugely improved this season, and now become a key figure for their club.

Here are their selections…

Paul Merson: Trent Alexander-Arnold

To play in the big games Alexander-Arnold has played in, considering where he's come from, is remarkable. He's played in big, big football matches and shown unbelievable temperament.

Trent Alexander-Arnold celebrates after making it 3-0 at Anfield
Image: Trent Alexander-Arnold has played in key matches for Liverpool

It might just be a bit late for him to make it to the World Cup as England have some established right-back options ahead of him but he's nailed on for the next major tournament if he carries on doing what he is doing.

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Matt Le Tissier: Wilfried Zaha

The difference that Zaha makes to that Crystal Palace team is incredible. It has surprised me the levels that he has played at consistently this season. The difference to Palace's results when he's not been available is telling.

Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha saw two penalty claims turned down against Watford
Image: Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha has been key to their survival

Zaha has now gone from being an unpredictable talent to somebody who is really influencing games far more than ever before.

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Charlie Nicholas: Andrew Robertson

When Liverpool signed Robertson they never played him, then he got an odd game here or there - and now suddenly Liverpool fans are singing his name and he's on the brink of securing a Champions League winner's medal!

Andy Robertson has struggled to dislodge Moreno since joining Liverpool in the summer
Image: Andy Robertson has become Liverpool's first-choice left-back

It's a fantastic story where he's come from, going from Queen's Park, Dundee United and then Hull, and he sums up this story of this Liverpool side coming from nowhere to being superstars.

Phil Thompson: Raheem Sterling

Sterling has done more this season than I thought he would. I actually thought he might be vulnerable with the competition for places at Manchester City.

Raheem Sterling's stunning curler secured Manchester City a last-gasp win over Southampton
Image: Raheem Sterling has had his best goal-scoring season of his career

But to hold down his place, score the goals he has and improve his final ball has made him one of England's go-to men at the World Cup.

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