Runaway Reds halfway to heaven

Best player

It is hard to look past Jamie Vardy. The Leicester striker has 17 goals－six more than closest rivals Tammy Abraham of Chelsea and Southampton's Danny Ings. Vardy is well on course to surpass the 24 he netted in the team's improbable title-winning campaign in 2015-16. His hottest patch came from Oct 19-Dec 8, when he scored in eight straight league games.

The 32-year-old appears to be benefiting from his decision to retire from international soccer with England, leaving him fresh for club duty. England manager Gareth Southgate could yet come begging ahead of the European Championship next June and July, however.