THE GAME CHANGERS
Football as we all know is played by 11 men with the option of substituting 3. It is the ultimate team sport. Everyone of the 11 men has an important role to play and not only is it vital but it is also unique. However, some players shine at their roles, they stand out from the rest of the team. They become what we call "key players". The presence or absence of this players largely influences the outcome of the game and eventually the overall team performance. I aim to look at the "game changers" in every team in the English premier league.1. Manchester City
The defending champions have not had the great start that they had last season. The campaign has started rather slow for them though still unbeaten. The key players remain largely unchanged from last season. The men dictating the team are Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure and their very influential captain Vincent Company. Aguero, the dangerous and pacy striker, won the league for the Etihad boys last with a last minute strike. He scored key goals for the team that helped them win the league and consequently won Manchester City Player of The Year.
Yaya Toure plays a vital role in the midfield of the city boys. He is seen as the heart of the team. He links the defense with the attack. Provides asssists and scores some important goals too. He is rated as one of the best midfielders in the EPL.
Vincent Kompany is one of the best center backs in the world. He forms a solid rock at the heart of the Citizen's defence. He scores some important goals too. (Manchester United can attest to this).
2. Manchester United
This is a tough one. The key players from last season have started on the bench. There is one obvious one though: Robin van Persie. Hurts to admit this as an arsenal fan. van Persie will be looked upon to score goals for the team. If he stays injury free, he will be very key to the Red Devils. Wayne Rooney also remains a very key player for the team. He is a prolific goal scorer and his assists remain vital. Lastly, Antonio Valencia also holds a lot of keys to Manchester United's race to the title. He can play on the wing and right back equally well. He provides assists for the team. On top form he is a player to watch.
3. Arsenal
This season the gunners have had a better start than last season. The players look more like a team and have generally improved. It is hard to pick a key player but there is always that special one. For the gunners I think the key men will be: Santi Cazorla, Lukas Podolski and Mikel Arteta. Santi Cazorla is already showing some amazing statistics. He creates goal scoring chances and scores them too. He has already been seen as buy of the summer by many football pundits.Lukas Podolski, the Prince, also a summer signing is showing his worth already. He is a world class finisher and we have seen his ability defending and tracking back. Mikel Arteta has taken on two new roles at the club: a defensive midfielder kind of role and the vice-captain. He has shown that he is adept at breaking up the opponents play and starting Arsenal's attack with his brilliant passes and vision. In only his second season with the team, he is a favorite to many fans already.
4. Tottenham Hotspur
After a disappointing end to last season and a poor start to the season, Tottenham have recorded important wins in their last two matches. The key players in the team are: Gareth Bale, Jan Vertonghen and Clint Dempsey. Gareth Bale was influential in Spurs 4th place finish last season. The pacy winger scores important goals and provides important assists. Jan Vertonghen is a very versatile defender. Besides getting the blocks in you can be sure he will be getting the goals in as well.Clint Dempsey scored the winner against Manchester United. He was an influential player for Fulham and he will continue to be for Tottenham in the battle to a Champions League spot.
5. Newcastle United
Newcastle United will be relying on the services of Papiss Cisse, Hatem Ben Arfa and Demba Ba. Papiss and Ba have proven to be natural goal scorers and their goals contributed to the success of the team last season. Hatem Ben Arfa is a massive talent and when he puts his mind and legs to it he can be a game changer. He can score from tight angles and also assist.
6. Chelsea
Chelsea possesses a range of great talent so it is difficult to say who is the game changer. I will pick Juan Mata, Fernando Torres and Branislav Ivanovic. Juan Mata is a consistent performer who can score and asssist. He is a highly talented playmaker and a game changer. Fernando Torres is the most inconsistent player in the EPL but he possesses talent that cannot be ignored and on top form he is a very dangerous striker. Defender, Branislav Ivanovic has been a key player for Chelsea. He has been both key in defense and attack for Chelsea.
7. Everton
Everton has shown some wonderful team displays and now lie second after six games. The key players in Everton are Leighton Baines, Kevin Mirallas and Marouane Fellaini. Baines is important with his tackles and sight for goal. He has been an important part of Everton's team since joining them. New signing Mirallas was top scorer in the Greek league before moving to Everton. He has great movement and great goalscoring ability. Fellow Belgian Fellaini has been hailed as a top midfielder and he has proved his goal scoring ability and amazing passing. He is strong and very pacy and has so far been the difference for Everton.
8. Liverpool
Liverpool may have had a poor start to the league but as a football fan I have learnt not to rule out a Liverpool come back. Brendan Rodgers is still trying to build a team but the players that stand out from the rest are: Raheem Sterling, Luis Suarez and of course Steven Gerrard. Raheem Sterling at only 17 has become a regular starter. He has wonderful pace and good dribbling skills. He has the ability to get past oppposing defenders and cause trouble. Luis Suarez has already score a hat-trick for his team. He has the ability to score goals that will see Liverpool back to Champions league football. Age may be catching up with Stevie but he is still very influential to the team's performance.
9. Fulham
Fulham will be looking to Berbatov to supply the goals to improve their mid-table performance, Brede Hangeland to keep the defense impervious and Mladen Petric who has already scored 3 goals in 4 appearances for the team.
10. West Bromwich Albion
I'll start with Romelu Lukaku. Although he has been loaned to the Hawthornes by Chelsea he has been very influential thus far. James Morison and Shane Long are also very influential performers for WBA. They are game changers.
11. Swansea City
One of the key players for Swansea is in almost everyone's fantasy premier league team... Michu. He has been exceptional this season so far scoring 4 goals now. Nathan Dyer ha been a great influence so far scoring 2 goals in 2 appearances. Ki Sung-Yueng if he breaks into the first team will be a great addition to a solid looking Swansea team. He is known for his vision, technique, long range passing and shooting, along with his good set-pieces.
12. Norwich City
Norwich city star players are Grant Holt, Steve Morison and Robert Snodgrass. The three possess a potent ability to score goals and keep Norwich in the top flight.
13. Sunderland
Sunderland will require Stephane Sessegnon to replicate the form he was in last season, Sebastian Larsson and Steven Fletcher are also key players for Sunderland. Fletcher's form has been great so far scoring 5 goals so far.
14. Stoke City
I am tempted to put defenders as star players for Stoke. They play such a defensive game with high balls to look for their striker. Ryan Shawcross is a massive defender, top talent. Peter Crouch will also be massive for the Britannia outfit. Jermaine Pennant is also a star player for Stoke.
15. Wigan Athletic
Last season Wigan staged the bravest battle ever against relegation. It was amazing. They had Victor Moses then...now they don't. They will be looking at Franco di Santo and Arouna Kone to get the goals to keep them in the EPL. Shaun Maloney is also a key player for the latics. Maloney is known for his set-piece accuracy, technical ability and confidence when shooting.
16. Aston Villa
| Aston Villa star players will be Charles N'zogbia, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Karim el-Ahmadi. The team will be looking at this players to improve on their last season 16th place finish. | ||||||||
17. Queen Park Rangers
Barely surviving last season, I don't think QPR will be waiting for another team's result to help them survive. Esteban Granero, Bobby Zamora and Adel Taarabt will have to shine for the team to battle relegation.
18. Southampton
Adam Lallana has been wonderful this season. So wonderful that he earned himself a call up to the England squad. Rickie Lambert has also been exceptional. Lastly, Jay Rodriguez also another wonderful performer. The three players are key in Soton's survival.
19. Reading
I haven't watched a full match pitting Reading FC but I think alongside the team captain Jobi McAnuff, Pavel Pogrebnyak and Danny Guthrie are the key players for the party Russian owned team.
20. Westham United
I find it very hard to pick a star in this team. Westham have come back to the premier league with a formidable team. However, I think Ricardo Vaz Te, Matt Jarvis and Andy Carroll will make the difference for Westham.
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