10 most important Premier League players for the 2015/16 season

Football fans all over the world had been waiting for the English Premier League to commence and their restlessness for everything that epitomises the Premiership has been rewarded just two weeks into the season! We've already witnessed a lot of drama, some controversies, Diego Costa getting mad, Mourinho getting mad and best of all – exhilarating football action. Having assessed all teams and their players, I've come up with a list of 10 most important players in the league. These are the players who will tilt the coveted Premiership title in their teams' favour, players who will make a different when the going gets tough.

#10 Harry Kane

2014/15 Statistics
Game Played	Goals Scored	Assists Provided
39 (12)	30	5

The stats prove that Harry Kane has matured from a highly-rated young talent to a star striker. With the departure of flop striker Roberto Soldado to La Liga’s Villareal and the ageing legs of veteran Emmanuel Adebayor, the England national team's striker has more opportunities to shine at the top level of English football.

With a striker-deficit, the Spurs have all their hopes hanging on the 22-year-old frontman. And if he continues his form from last season, Mauricio Pochettino’s side will definitely give the top teams of England a tough time and finally seal a top four berth to qualify for next year’s Champions League.

#9 Romelu Lukaku

2014/15 Satistics
Games Played	Goals Scored	Assists Provided
41(11)	21	7

The 22-year-old Belgian has been touted as one of the best young talents in the English Premier League. The ex-Chelsea striker has lived up to the hype by finding the net 10 times and setting up another 5 for his team-mates last season.

Lukaku is a complete package; he is strong, instinctive, pacey and has an eye for goal. After a fantastic pre-season and excellent start to the 2015-16 season by scoring two and providing an assist for one more, the Everton frontman has sent a clear message to his striking-counterparts and has cemented his position as one of the most important players in the league.

Everton’s boss Roberto Martinez is determined to bring out the best from the Belgian after signing him from Chelsea for a club record £28 million. If Lukaku goes all guns blazing and receives support from bright young talents like John Stones, James McCarthy, Gerard Deulofeu and Ross Barkley, Everton will give the top Premier League teams a few nightmares.

#8 Jordan Henderson

2014/15 Statistics
Games Played	Goals Scored	Assists Provided
56(2)	8	14

Many football fans might not expect Jordan Henderson to be on this list but the 25-year-old midfield man is an incredibly vital cog in the Liverpool machine. After the departure of club legend and midfield magician Steven Gerrard, Henderson has been handed the responsibility of being the captain as well as the midfield anchor for Liverpool.

If Brendan Rodger’s Liverpool are to end 2015-16 season on a high, Henderson must lead his team from the front. Last year, he was one of the most impressive midfielders in England, having started all but two of Liverpool games; he's a true team man and a hard worker.

#7 Diego Costa

2014/15 Statistics
Games Played	Goals Scored	Assists Provided
34(4)	20	3

Diego Costa is now amongst the world’s top strikers after his impressive debut season at Stamford Bridge. The Brazilian-born striker found the net 20 times, with both the media and critics hailing the Spanish International as a star. That will put added pressure on him to score more goals in his sophmore season.

With Chelsea’s world-class midfield quartet of Cesc Fabregas, Eden Hazard, Oscar and Willian there is no shortage of creative delivery, and Costa is known for his fantastic conversion rate. The ex-Athletic frontman is an absolute beast in the penalty box, and he bullies defenders with his pace, strength and competitive spirit; his passion and desire to win whenever he is out on the field are evident from his style of play.

If he manages to stay away from of injuries and cards, Costa might end up scoring 30+ goals this season.

#6 Wayne Rooney

2014/15 Statistics
Games Played	Goals Scored	Assists Provided
43(0)	20	8

Wayne Rooney is a well-known figure in world football and has been so for the past 7-8 years. The ex-Everton Striker is considered, among certain groups, as the most complete striker in the world.

Rooney is an unselfish player who is ready to do anything for his team. He showed that last season by playing as a defensive midfielder, an attacking midfileder, a winger, a false-9 and as a striker for Louis van Gaal's United, and did reasonably well in all the positions; such is his versatility and class.

The English national team leadman and Manchester United captain can inspire Van Gaal’s troops back to the top of Premier League after having two average seasons since the departure of the legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

#5 David Silva

2014/15 Statistics
Games Played	Goals Scored	Assists Provided
38(3)	12	9

The words 'magician' and Silva are almost synonyms these days. The Spanish midfield maestro has lead the Manchester City attack for several years now with his twists and turns, exceptional ball-control in tight areas and breathtaking vision. He's been the saviour for Manchester City on multiple occasions.

The ex-Valencia player has already started the 2015-16 season on a high with incredible performances against West Brom and title rivals Chelsea - scoring one goal and assisting his teammates for another three.

Silva has been the most consistent midfielder in the Premier League in the past five seasons, and judging by the way he's playing football, fans all around the world know that’s not going to change anytime soon.

Pellegrini’s men can again hope to win the coveted Premier League title if Silva’s magical form continues till the end of the season.

#4 Mesut Ozil

2014/15 Statistics
Games Played	Goals Scored	Assists Provided
30(1)	6	9

German wizard Mesut Ozil is arguably one of the best midfielders in the world right now. Arsenal’s midfield main man has been on the top of the world from a very young age but hasn’t quite been able to replicate his Real Madrid form since his world record transfer.

Ozil’s inconsistent performances had garnered criticism from football pundits and fans alike, but he keeps silencing his critics with world class performances one after the other, with the most recent one being at Selhurst Park last week.

The German World Cup winner has racked up 175 assists in his career and has the most assists for an Arsenal player since his arrival at the club. The absence of a potent finisher in Arsene Wenger’s squad has marginalized Ozil’s sting a little, but with Wenger’s eagerness to sign a striker and Theo Walcott approaching full fitness and Alexis Sanchez for company, Ozil has the options to regain his magic touch.

He can destabilise the deepest of defences with his exceptional vision and incisive passing. The Gunners are optimistic after witnessing a fantastic pre-season by Ozil and are drooling at the prospect of having to see him at his best this season.

#3 Eden Hazard

2014/15 Statistics
Games Played	Goals Scored	Assists Provided
49	19	11

Saying “[Eden] Hazard is better than [Cristiano] Ronaldo” would be a little far-fetched but there is no denying that the rise of star Eden Hazard has been meteoric in the past few seasons.

At the tender age of 24, he has already earned a place in the current Top 5 footballers in the world, and has been often compared to the legends Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and own-countryman Enzo Scifo. All these comparisons speak volumes of the greatness Hazard possesses.

The Belgian midfielder had started every game for Chelsea last year in the Premier League and has been called upon by his boss Jose Mourinho to outdo his previous year’s performances this season.

#2 Sergio Aguero

2014/15 Statistics
Games Played	Goals Scored	Assists Provided
37(4)	32	8

Sergio 'Kun' Aguero has been the Premiership's highest goal scorer for the past 2 seasons. The Argentinian poacher is one of the best players in the league with exceptional goalscoring records. He is a total dominator in front of goal; he has been giving EPL defenders nightmares with his pace, dribbling skills and potent finishing ability – which were all in evidence in the goal he scored against Chelsea this weekend.

Aguero has long been a fan favourite, having scored the most memorable EPL goal ever - the clincher during injury-time against QPR on final game day to lead Manchester City to their first ever Premier League title in 2012. Manuel Pellegrini’s men will be hoping to produce a spectacular season with Aguero at the helm of all the action.

#1 Alexis Sanchez

2014/15 Statistics
Games Played	Goals Scored	Assists Provided
49	24	12

The rise of Alexis Sanchez as an individual talent has sky-rocketed in the last 12 months after his big money move to the Emirates Stadium. The ex-Barcelona man has mesmerised the Emirates faithful with his exceptional skills and willingness to give everything from day one.

Already a fan favourite, Sanchez has been praised by critics and fans alike for his 100% display every time he is out there. The Chilean winger is pacey and skillful, and his hard work and willingness to recover the ball are second to none in the team.

Arsene Wenger’s team already boasts a world class midfield trio of Mesut Ozil - Aaron Ramsey - Santi Carzola; with Jack Wilshere as backup there is an abundant supply for the Arsenal wing-man to topple his debut season stats. Arsenal's long awaited quest to win the coveted EPL title might be fruitful this year if Sanchez manages to produce the goods, like he almost always does.

The Gunners would be hoping for a successful injury-free season for the superstar. Given the amount of impact Sanchez has had in one year, it's enough to put him on the top of this list in a very competitive league.

Edited by Staff Editor