5 attacking tridents to send shivers down Premier League defenders

This summer has seen a host of attacking talent make their way into the Premier League from across Europe. Playmakers that will spin webs around defences, wingers that’ll leave the full-backs chasing shadows, and strikers to give goalkeepers nightmares.

If you’re a Premier League defender, continue reading this piece at your own risk. Here’s listing attacking trios taking shape in the Premier League in order of their strength.

#5 West Ham: Manuel Lanzini, Marko Arnautovic, Chicharito

Javier Hernandez, the 'Little Pea' is back in the Premier League

After finishing 11th in the table last season, Slaven Bilic looks set to put things right this time around. He’s made a statement of intent by breaking West Ham’s transfer record and signing up Marko Arnautovic from Stoke City. And he wasn’t stopping there, as he brought Javier Hernandez back into the big time. He’s successfully nudged off suitors for Lanzini, 24, and looks like he’s got a force to reckon with this year.

Arnautovic’s goal scoring record hasn’t really been as impeccable as his man-bun, with a return of 22 goals in 4 seasons. Yet at the ripe age of 28, the enigmatic attacker looks set for lift off under Bilic. And a Mexican workhorse for company can do no harm. Chicharito has the fifth best minutes per goal ratio in Premier League history. And with previous experience in the League, that £16 million price tag looks like quite the bargain.

Manuel Lanzini, meanwhile, is a creative riot, notching up 8 goals and 2 assists last term. He can send defenders into a tizzy and possesses a special ability from deadball situations. With two brand new forwards to aim at up ahead, it looks like the Argentinian and co. are more than ready to go!

#4 Liverpool: Philippe Coutinho, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane

Mohamed Salah set to take the Premier League by storm?

We continue the trend of breaking banks as Liverpool made the record-signing of Mohamed Salah. You can imagine Jurgen Klopp grinning from ear to ear imagining the mayhem Salah and Mane’s pace can cause in the Premier League. That, clubbed with the samba magic of Coutinho, considering he stays, and the boss can get ready to unleash multiple bear-hugs this year.

At the age of 25, Salah boasts quite a bit on his CV. After an underwhelming spell at Chelsea, the Egyptian plied his trade in Italy and flourished last season with 15 goals and 13 assists in his 31 appearances for Roma. Liverpool fans have more to cheer about as fit-again Mane is back in training. The Senegalese attacker was quite a hit as was proven when he won the Liverpool player of the season award. Hoping his injuries are behind him, and with the African Cup of Nations shifted to the summer, can the Reds challenge for the title again?

One man who can have a considerable impact on that is their Brazilian midfielder Coutinho. He’s been strongly linked with a move to Barcelona that’s been staved off until now. The playmaker signed a new contract just last year, and Klopp is insistent that this current crop of players will stay together. Well, Premier League defenders must definitely hope otherwise.

#3 Manchester United: Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial, Romelu Lukaku

Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku look set to storm through

Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku would be dabbing their way straight to the bank as the Belgian completed his mammoth £75 million move earlier this summer. Well worth it according to some quarters as the Belgian racked up 25 goals in the league last year. With his buddy, Pogba, in charge of supply now, and Anthony Martial coming of age, the Devils look daunting!

After his world-record move last summer, Paul Pogba didn’t exactly light up the Premier League as he mustered just 5 goals and 4 assists. But with a likely push further up field this year, you can expect those numbers to rise. Zlatan’s shoes are big ones to fill, but if anyone can do so, Romelu can. Literally. He’s already impressing in pre-season, and under the tutelage of Jose Mourinho, the 24-year-old’s stature can only rise.

And on the left of this trident lies Anthony Martial. The Frenchman played a bit-part role last year, and if we can take anything from pre-season, it’s that he is a man on a mission. His wonder-assist in the friendly against Real Madrid is a reminder of what he’s capable of. If he, along with Pogba and Lukaku click this year, Old Trafford shall witness some sweet dance moves this season.

#2 Arsenal: Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, Alexandre Lacazette

Alexandre Lacazette has his eyes on the prize

After ‘Kyllian’ Arsenal fans’ dreams of the £100 million man this summer, Wenger went on to buy Alexandre Lacazette for around half the price in a club-record transfer. The striker has a formidable record in Ligue 1, and with the quality of his supply line going up a notch this year with Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, the Gunners can fire back after a disappointing campaign last year. Unless…

Ozil and Alexis, both of whom are in the final year of their contract, may move to new pastures. The German looks likely to stay with suitors being at a premium, and his focus on the pre-season. Can’t say the same about the Chilean though. The man’s a born winner and his frustration at his team mates was evident last season. He wouldn’t settle for anything less than winning, and no, Wenger, 4th place isn’t a trophy.

Yet, if the boss manages to keep this trio, the Arsenal faithful can brace themselves for goals galore. Alexis scored 24 in the league last year along with 10 assists, while Lacazette finished last season with the highest conversion rate in Europe’s top 5 leagues (38.9%). And with Ozil around, this trio is definitely capable of assisting Arsenal up the Premier League charts.

#1 Manchester City: Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Gabriel Jesus

Another addition to City's 'Silva service'

After his impressive showing against Manchester City last year in the Champions League, Guardiola paid £43m to bring a new Silva to town, Bernardo Silva. He’ll be joining Belgian livewire, Kevin De Bruyne in the City midfield, behind the Premier League’s golden boy, Gabriel Jesus.

The Belgian could never really push on to the heights he promised, yet finished the term with 18 assists, 3 more than any other Premier League player. Consistency is an issue Guardiola has cited with him, but it looks like the off season has done him good, as he played a vital role in City's humbling of Madrid 4-1 in a recent friendly. Silva, 22, ran the show over in the French league last year contributing to 17 goals, and together they can spin webs around Premier League defences.

Kun Aguero has been one of the league’s most consistent forwards. He boasts the most prolific minutes-to-goal ratio in Premier League history. It’d take something special to dethrone this attacker. And special is exactly what Gabriel Jesus is. The 20-year-old scored 7 and assisted 4 in his 10 appearances last term. You can expect some heavenly football from City if Jesus and co. click.