Tottenham Hotspur – Harry Kane
For a team that was in contention for the title for much of the previous season, Tottenham have undergone a rather quiet transfer window and are also not being given enough credit for their 3rd-placed finish last season. With a squad to match that of the Manchester clubs and the London duo of Arsenal and Chelsea, Spurs are fully functional and raring to have another go at the Premier League title.
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They relied on Harry Kane for most of their goalscoring last season, and that hasn’t changed during the transfer window with no player of comparable talent brought into the squad. Kane scored his first of the season in a 4-0 rout of Stoke on Saturday and looks primed for another purple patch this year. No other Spurs player provides the combination of intelligent linkup play, technically adept finishing and efficient off-the-ball work done by the Englishman.
Watford – Etienne Capoue
Relying on their big front 2 of Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo, Watford managed a respectable 13th-place finish last season. With a respectable spread of talent in all positions across the squad (albeit the problem a leaky defense which needs to tighten up this season), they are well set for another uneventful season in the Premier League, having spent big on acquiring Roberto Pereyra from Juventus, Daryl Janmaat from Newcastle and Zuniga on loan from Napoli.
With Pereyra and Valon Behrami as his partners in central midfield, versatile Etienne Capoue will now have a little more freedom to express himself in the various roles that he repeatedly finds himself playing. Technically sound, physically a specimen and a manager’s tactical dream to have, Capoue will remain as Watford’s lynchpin this season as well.
West Bromwich Albion – Claudio Yacob
It’s been a long time coming, but finally, West Brom have shown a semblance of continuity in the Premier League with their 5th consecutive season in the division this year. With a settled backline and talented attackers like Jose Rondon and Saido Berahino present in the squad, West Brom present a tough run-in for every team in the Premier League.
The combative defensive midfielder from Argentina has stamped his authority on a talent-laden West Brom midfield in the past few seasons, establishing himself as an irreplaceable component of the Baggies’ setup. As a proactive player, Yacob provides the pivoted balance vital to any Premier League team, staying behind the line of the ball for the most part and providing necessary cover to his defenders.
West Ham United – Dimitri Payet
With Europa League football in sight, a number of reliable forward options, a reliable backline and with captain Mark Noble to steer the midfield ship, all West Ham lacked till then was the sprightly presence of a no. 10. This need was filled perfectly by mercurial Dimitri Payet, whom West Ham bought from Marseille for what is now a bargain price of around 11 million pounds.
Payet has had an exemplary year or so with the Hammers, with a few spectacular goals and assists to show for it – along with a 6th-placed finish above Liverpool in the league last season. Having played an important role in France’s Euro campaign, he has already lit up this season with a spectacular Rabona assist in a losing cause to Watford on Saturday. We can rest assured that more of the same is to come from in the games to be played later on this season.
