'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAPAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFwAAAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgQFBv/aAAgBAQAAAABvGWz/AP/EABQBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP/2gAIAQIQAAAAH//EABQBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH/2gAIAQMQAAAAf//EACMQAAEDAwQCAwAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwQFEiEABhEUQUJRcXL/2gAIAQEAAT8Ap23wzQ51UldozIDwQFIYb65BtypNvBx7/Q1Lo7Tst5fdqRuWVYtHn8ahbiKKK5HZmzEB0FDrTCUoW9xzalxRxkeR8Z07uCOXVlIjW8njDuv/xAAZEQABBQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQMUUpH/2gAIAQIBAT8AkN3TT//EABYRAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACEv/aAAgBAwEBPwCkP//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
It’s been little over a month since the 21st edition of Barclays Premier League took to the centre-stage, ending what has been a long, thrilling and for some, a partly frustrating summer transfer window (for me in particular). Many reputable players from all sides of the globe packed bags and made their way to England in hopes of making a name for themselves on the high altar of football. After five very entertaining game-weeks, here’s a countdown of 5 players who left no stone unturned in ensuring so.
5. Jan Vertonghen – Tottenham Hotspur
The Belgian International arrived at White Hart Lane after going public with his interest in joining the North London outfit amidst interest from cross-town rivals Arsenal. A bench warmer for Tottenham’s opening fixture of the season against Newcastle, Vertonghen produced a rather mediocre performance on his home debut against West Bromwich Albion. Since then, the former Ajax skipper generated solid defensive displays against Lazio (Europa league), Reading and QPR, and a man of the match performance against Norwich City. His no-nonsense defending has already won over the White Hart Lane faithful, who were treated to the Belgian’s show of adept positioning, timely clearing of the ball and effective tackling over the past few weeks. He made the starting line-up ahead of other notable names like Michael Dawson and Steven Caulker, and is certain to relegate the recovering Younes Kaboul to the bench.
Trending
4. Steven Fletcher – Sunderland
A familiar name to the Premier League audience, Steven Fletcher signed for Sunderland from Wolves in the dying minutes of the transfer window. Always known to be an efficient No.9, the Scot has justified his hefty price tag by slotting in all of the Black Cats’ goals so far. 4 goals in 3 matches, including a brace against Sunderland’s 2-2 draw against high-flying Swansea is a sign of things in store for fans at the Stadium of Light. Martin O’Neill heaped praise on the 26-year-old, citing the player’s clinical finishing, deceptive movement, good aerial prowess and “fox in the box” mentality as the key factors his side will benefit from. His target of 12 goals for the season now looks either like a critical underestimation of his own abilities, or an underestimation of the team, considering he has already scaled a third of his target in absolutely no time at all. An efficient combination with Adam Johnson and Stephane Sessengon is something to look forward to and would hopefully increase the number of times he finds the net, much to the wishes of Sunderland fans.
3. Michu – Swansea City
Coming to Swansea City for a little under 3 million, one has to be skeptical of all the hype and hoopla surrounding the attacking midfielder from Rayo Vallecano. Being linked to European Giants like Manchester United and Liverpool doesn’t help either. If being La Liga‘s top scorer from the midfield ahead of world class players like Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas and Ozil doesn’t speak for itself, then a stunning opening day performance studded with 2 goals and an assist goes a long way in doing so. Michu arrived on the Premier League scene with a bang, picking up four goals and an assist in his first three matches for Swansea. He provided another glimpse of his large array of abilities with a sublime curled finish against Crawley in the Capital One cup that took his total tally of goals to five. Playing in the hole just behind Danny Graham, Michu can be a lethal weapon in Swansea’s new start under Michael Laudrup. Blessed with ample vision, instant reflexes, timeless composure and the “Spanish touch”, he has fit seamlessly in the club’s tiki-taka style of play.
2. Eden Hazard – Chelsea
Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham – these were just a handful of clubs Eden Hazard was linked to. His endless comments on his possible future employer through social networking platform twitter frustrated many fans. He finally put an end to the transfer saga by announcing he was going to join the European Champions. Expectations were certainly sky high on the 21-year-old, especially after he plundered 20 goals and provided 16 more to round off a spectacular final season with French Club LOSC Lille, a feat for which he was named the Ligue 1 player of the year second time in a row.
Right from his debut, Hazard has delivered in sensational style for the league leaders, setting up 4 goals and scoring one. Be it his clinical through pass to Ivanovic, his cheeky back pass to Torres or his magnificent link up play with Mata, the mercurial Belgian in one way or another has been involved in anything and everything positive Chelsea have produced going forward. Premier league audience – Chelsea fans and rival supporters alike watched in awe as the Belgian displayed a sublime touch, trickery of the highest order and a killer eye for through passes. Roman Abramovich will be delighted to break his jinx and after a string of high profile flops like Shevchenko and Fernando Torres, Eden Hazard comes as a much welcome addition to the dressing room at Stamford Bridge.
1. Santi Cazorla – Arsenal
Of late, no list or countdown can be complete without a couple of Spaniards. After previously signing German International Lukas Podolski and Montpellier’s Olivier Giroud, many felt that Arsene Wenger’s wallet would be restricted to funding minor signings. But the Frenchman later pulled off a masterstroke by signing Santi Cazorla for 17 million from debt ridden Spanish Club Malaga, where he was the hero of their maiden top-4 finish. Though the gunners huffed and puffed in vain against Sunderland and Stoke, the midfield mastero set the stage on fire with his supreme touch, exuberant ball control, top notch passing, eye for the killer through-ball and tireless workrate. His outstanding performance at Anfield stood testimony to all the aforementioned traits and adjectives and earned Gunners their first victory of the new campaign. Commanding displays against Southampton and champions Manchester City in particular underline his importance to Wenger’s club, now devoid of key players like Alex Song and last season’s top scorer and FA Player of the Year Robin Van Persie. Regardless of the opposition, his scintillating performances at the Emirates will only give Spanish national coach Vincent Del Bosque a mean headache during selection.
Other notable mentions:
Shinji Kagawa – Fluid and silky, But his best is yet to come.
Alexander Buttner – Patrice Evra’s face (after his goal against Wigan) summed it all up.
Ki-Sung Yueng – Showed glimpses of brilliance against Everton. Expect more.
Oscar – Young and skilled. Needs more first team starts.
Raheem Sterling – not exactly a new recruit, but you get the point right ?
