EPL 2017/18: 5 players poised to have a breakout season

Andreas Pereira

Jose Mourinho is a man on a mission. The Portuguese manager might have won the treble in his first season at the club but he knows that for him to truly win over the fans of the club, he will only have to ensure that his side improves their performances in the season to come. With the side making waves in the transfer market with their acquisition of the Lukaku and Victor Lindelof the focus is largely on new players.

However, one youngster who has come through the academy ranks since joining from PSV Eindhoven in 2011 is in all probability the missing piece in the puzzle that Mourinho has been looking for in the transfer market. Andres Pereira, who spent the last season on loan at Granada comes into the side fresh from his exploits in La Liga and is set to become an integral part of Mourinho’s side in the current season.

While the Duffel-born youngster is equally comfortable plying his trade on either wing, his best moments in his short career thus far have come in the centre of the park. He is quick, can carry the ball with ease and has an eye for a pass that very few young footballers do.

The very fact that he created 52 chances last season (more than the likes of Juan Mata, Ander Herrera and Henrikh Mkhitaryan) speaks volumes about his creative abilities and we would not be surprised if Mourinho gave him an extended run in the side at the expense of other more prominent names.