Premier League players to watch this season

Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke made headlines this off-season after asking the Birmingham club for a transfer, only to sign a four-year extension 11 days later. The 22-year-old striker from Belgium boasts a tremendous balance of pace and power, scoring 19 goals last season.

Arsenal’s attacking midfield catalyst Santi Cazorla insisted he wasn’t interested in a move this off-season. Manager Arsene Wenger is certainly thrilled to keep him, as the versatile Spaniard is one of the best in the Premier League at controlling the rhythm of a match and creating offence from either the wings or the centre of the park.
Arsenal’s attacking midfield catalyst Santi Cazorla insisted he wasn’t interested in a move this off-season. Manager Arsene Wenger is certainly thrilled to keep him, as the versatile Spaniard is one of the best in the Premier League at controlling the rhythm of a match and creating offence from either the wings or the centre of the park.
Aston Villa’s big Belgian Christian Benteke made as much headlines as anybody this off-season due to the drama of first asking the Birmingham club for a transfer, only to rescind the request and sign a four-year deal 11 days later. The 22-year-old striker is a force with a tremendous balance of pace and power, scoring 19 goals in only 34 Premier League appearances for Villa as a rookie last season (AP/Jon Super)
Aston Villa’s big Belgian Christian Benteke made as much headlines as anybody this off-season due to the drama of first asking the Birmingham club for a transfer, only to rescind the request and sign a four-year deal 11 days later. The 22-year-old striker is a force with a tremendous balance of pace and power, scoring 19 goals in only 34 Premier League appearances for Villa as a rookie last season (AP/Jon Super)
There are likely few players in the league happier than Cardiff City’s Craig Bellamy. The 34-year-old Welsh forward was acquired in a free transfer last summer after a failed second go-around at Liverpool and proceeded to secure his boyhood club’s first promotion to the Premier League in 51 years. Known for a high production rate, Bellamy will be highly counted on for leadership and goals on a very inexperienced group from Wales’ capital (AP/Jon Super)
There are likely few players in the league happier than Cardiff City’s Craig Bellamy. The 34-year-old Welsh forward was acquired in a free transfer last summer after a failed second go-around at Liverpool and proceeded to secure his boyhood club’s first promotion to the Premier League in 51 years. Known for a high production rate, Bellamy will be highly counted on for leadership and goals on a very inexperienced group from Wales’ capital (AP/Jon Super)
Ever since Chelsea brought Juan Mata to Stamford Bridge from Valencia, the Spaniard has been dynamite. Perhaps the Premier League’s best passer, the midfielder Mata was the central London club’s Player of the Year for the second season in a row last year, and by all accounts will continue to be one of the league’s top players. The Spanish National Team does not often go outside their loaded domestic league when picking players, but for Mata, manager Vicente del Bosque tends to make an exception (AP/Julio Cortez)
Ever since Chelsea brought Juan Mata to Stamford Bridge from Valencia, the Spaniard has been dynamite. Perhaps the Premier League’s best passer, the midfielder Mata was the central London club’s Player of the Year for the second season in a row last year, and by all accounts will continue to be one of the league’s top players. The Spanish National Team does not often go outside their loaded domestic league when picking players, but for Mata, manager Vicente del Bosque tends to make an exception (AP/Julio Cortez)
Crystal Palace appears to have made a terrific signing when they inked José Campaña away from Sevilla on a four-year deal in mid-July. The talented 20 year old has captained Spain’s Under-20 squad and has been compared to Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla in terms of ball control and distribution from the midfield. He is not a huge goal scorer, and underwent surgery on his left foot for a fracture last March, but Campaña appears to be an intriguing bright light on a Palace side that will have to battle hard to avoid a quick relegation and return to the Championship (Getty/Steve Bardens)
Crystal Palace appears to have made a terrific signing when they inked José Campaña away from Sevilla on a four-year deal in mid-July. The talented 20 year old has captained Spain’s Under-20 squad and has been compared to Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla in terms of ball control and distribution from the midfield. He is not a huge goal scorer, and underwent surgery on his left foot for a fracture last March, but Campaña appears to be an intriguing bright light on a Palace side that will have to battle hard to avoid a quick relegation and return to the Championship (Getty/Steve Bardens)
Marouane Fellaini of Everton may be one of the Premier League’s most underrated players. The Belgium international can play all around the midfield, but thrives the most as a defensive midfielder, possessing an on-field presence almost as big as the afro-style hair-do he often wears. Fellaini drew negative attention to himself when he was banned for three matches last December for head butting Stoke’s Ryan Shawcross, but at six-foot-4.5, he is a tremendous threat in the air and he is quickly becoming the face of the Liverpool club (if he isn’t already) (AP/Martin Rickett)
Marouane Fellaini of Everton may be one of the Premier League’s most underrated players. The Belgium international can play all around the midfield, but thrives the most as a defensive midfielder, possessing an on-field presence almost as big as the afro-style hair-do he often wears. Fellaini drew negative attention to himself when he was banned for three matches last December for head butting Stoke’s Ryan Shawcross, but at six-foot-4.5, he is a tremendous threat in the air and he is quickly becoming the face of the Liverpool club (if he isn’t already) (AP/Martin Rickett)
By all accounts, the Fulham faithful were expecting more goals when the south London club signed Hugo Rodallega away from Wigan in July, 2012. The 28-year-old Colombian international managed to find the back of the net only three times in 33 games for the Cottagers and the heat is on him to do more than that in 2013-14. Dimitar Berbatov was tremendous for Fulham last season and the club will look for the two forwards to find a meaningful partnership moving forward (AP/Sang Tan)
By all accounts, the Fulham faithful were expecting more goals when the south London club signed Hugo Rodallega away from Wigan in July, 2012. The 28-year-old Colombian international managed to find the back of the net only three times in 33 games for the Cottagers and the heat is on him to do more than that in 2013-14. Dimitar Berbatov was tremendous for Fulham last season and the club will look for the two forwards to find a meaningful partnership moving forward (AP/Sang Tan)
After five years as a fixture on the Wigan Athletic backline, newly promoted Hull City snatched up the stout Honduran defender Maynor Figueroa from the relegated club in June on a free transfer. More often than not, Figueroa has featured as a left-back in the Premier League while playing in the centre for his nation, but he is equally adept at playing both positions. The move is hardly as a surprise as it was Steve Bruce, currently Hull’s manager, that brought Figueroa across the pond from Honduras’ Olimpia five years ago when he was Wigan’s boss (AP/Clint Hughes)
After five years as a fixture on the Wigan Athletic backline, newly promoted Hull City snatched up the stout Honduran defender Maynor Figueroa from the relegated club in June on a free transfer. More often than not, Figueroa has featured as a left-back in the Premier League while playing in the centre for his nation, but he is equally adept at playing both positions. The move is hardly as a surprise as it was Steve Bruce, currently Hull’s manager, that brought Figueroa across the pond from Honduras’ Olimpia five years ago when he was Wigan’s boss (AP/Clint Hughes)
It’s difficult to argue that Liverpool’s Luis Suarez is currently the most controversial player in the Premier League. The Uruguayan forward’s talent is clearly world class, with 38 goals in 77 appearances for the Reds, but his repeatedly inappropriate non-soccer antics have been repugnant. In two seasons at Anfield, Suarez has been fined and suspended twice; first for racial abuse towards Manchester United’s Patrice Evra, and then last season for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic. Multiple times in the off-season, he declared his desire to leave the club and claimed that Liverpool failed to make good on a promise to him that they would transfer him if they failed to qualify for the Champions League next season. Nevertheless, Suarez remains in Liverpool red to begin the pre-season, albeit dealing with an apparent foot injury; yet don’t be mistaken, he is as dynamic and talented as anybody in the game (AP/ Peter Byrne)
It’s difficult to argue that Liverpool’s Luis Suarez is currently the most controversial player in the Premier League. The Uruguayan forward’s talent is clearly world class, but his repeatedly inappropriate non-soccer antics have been repugnant. In two seasons at Anfield, Suarez has been fined and suspended twice; first for racial abuse towards Manchester United’s Patrice Evra, and then last season for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic. Multiple times in the off-season, he declared his desire to leave the club and claimed that Liverpool failed to make good on a promise to him that they would transfer him if they failed to qualify for the Champions League next season. Nevertheless, Suarez remains in Liverpool red to begin the pre-season, albeit dealing with an apparent foot injury. (AP/ Peter Byrne)
The son-in-law of Diego Maradona, Sergio Aguero lit up La Liga for Atletico Madrid for five seasons and then, after being signed in 2011 by Manchester City for £38 million, he has proceeded to not miss a step and dominate the Premier League as well. The 25-year-old Argentine prefers to be a central forward, though has loads of technical ability to play in support as well, and does nothing but score goals (to the tune of 35 goals in 64 appearances). City managed to re-sign Aguero, keeping him at the City of Manchester Stadium until 2017, despite strong speculation that he was being heavily targeted by Real Madrid (AP/David Davies)
The son-in-law of Diego Maradona, Sergio Aguero lit up La Liga for Atletico Madrid for five seasons and then, after being signed in 2011 by Manchester City for £38 million, he has proceeded to not miss a step and dominate the Premier League as well. The 25-year-old Argentine prefers to be a central forward, though has loads of technical ability to play in support as well, and does nothing but score goals (to the tune of 35 goals in 64 appearances). City managed to re-sign Aguero, keeping him at the City of Manchester Stadium until 2017, despite strong speculation that he was being heavily targeted by Real Madrid (AP/David Davies)
The current incarnation of a historically brilliant line of Dutch strikers, Robin van Persie’s value to club and country truly cannot be understated. Recently named the captain of the Netherlands National Team, the 30-year-old Manchester United striker is a technically gifted goal-scoring machine that is equally comfortable playing as an out-and-out centre-forward, or as an off-set support attacker. He featured in all 38 games for the league champions – a rare feat in an otherwise injury prone career – and scored 26 goals, accounting for over 30 per cent of United’s offence. He was dominant in eight seasons for Arsenal from 2004-12, potting 96 goals in 194 appearances in that span, and clearly did not miss a beat after signing a four-year deal to stay at Old Trafford till 2016. (AP/Jon Super)
The current incarnation of a historically brilliant line of Dutch strikers, Robin van Persie’s value to club and country truly cannot be understated. Recently named the captain of the Netherlands National Team, the 30-year-old Manchester United striker is a technically gifted goal-scoring machine that is equally comfortable playing as an out-and-out centre-forward, or as an off-set support attacker. He featured in all 38 games for the league champions – a rare feat in an otherwise injury prone career – and scored 26 goals, accounting for over 30 per cent of United’s offence. He was dominant in eight seasons for Arsenal from 2004-12, potting 96 goals in 194 appearances in that span, and clearly did not miss a beat after signing a four-year deal to stay at Old Trafford till 2016. (AP/Jon Super)
In the last 25 years so, the trend was for French players to leave France to go to England and play. Although midfielder Yohan Cabaye already did that, departing Lille for Newcastle United in the summer of 2011, he may soon be in for a return trip to his homeland. The sublime ball distributor and free kick specialist has been heavily targeted by Paris Saint-Germain all summer and that trend continues, even while Tottenham has also made their interest in the France international known. As the season dawns, he remains the captain of the Magpies, yet for how much longer is a burning question around England’s extreme northeast. One thing is for certain: When Cabaye is in the lineup, Newcastle is a much better club. (AP/Scott Heppell)
In the last 25 years so, the trend was for French players to leave France to go to England and play. Although midfielder Yohan Cabaye already did that, departing Lille for Newcastle United in the summer of 2011, he may soon be in for a return trip to his homeland. The sublime ball distributor and free kick specialist has been heavily targeted by Paris Saint-Germain all summer and that trend continues, even while Tottenham has also made their interest in the France international known. As the season dawns, he remains the captain of the Magpies, yet for how much longer is a burning question around England’s extreme northeast. One thing is for certain: When Cabaye is in the lineup, Newcastle is a much better club. (AP/Scott Heppell)
There are those that feel that Norwich City overpaid for Dutch striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel, pulling him away from Sporting Lisbon for £8.5 million, but the prevailing argument that the Canaries are selling is that goals are expensive; and if there is something the man with the colourful name knows, it’s goals. Lanky at six-foot-one, the man known as “RVW” scored 28 goals in 55 games in Portugal, earning himself the nickname of “the wolf” for his tremendous poaching abilities around the goal. He loves to work off the back shoulder of defenders and in the gaps that inflexible backlines yield. Will he be worth all that cash? We’ll have to wait and see. (AP/Armando Franca)
There are those that feel that Norwich City overpaid for Dutch striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel, pulling him away from Sporting Lisbon for £8.5 million, but the prevailing argument that the Canaries are selling is that goals are expensive; and if there is something the man with the colourful name knows, it’s goals. Lanky at six-foot-one, the man known as “RVW” scored 28 goals in 55 games in Portugal, earning himself the nickname of “the wolf” for his tremendous poaching abilities around the goal. He loves to work off the back shoulder of defenders and in the gaps that inflexible backlines yield. Will he be worth all that cash? We’ll have to wait and see. (AP/Armando Franca)
Gastón Ramírez is one of the league’s best kept secrets and after a year in the Premier League, you can be sure that Southampton is thrilled to have the 22-year-old Uruguayan international locked up for another three years. He was suspended for the last three games of the 2012 season after an incident in a match against West Brom, but his value to Southampton’s attack cannot be quantified. Ramirez is a versatile, creative attacking midfielder, equally adept at playing the wing – where he began his professional career – or in the middle, where he was put when he burst onto the scene with Bologna in 2010. He is a very valuable piece and bigger clubs are likely watching him closely. (Getty/David Ramos)
Gastón Ramírez is one of the league’s best kept secrets and after a year in the Premier League, you can be sure that Southampton is thrilled to have the 22-year-old Uruguayan international locked up for another three years. He was suspended for the last three games of the 2012 season after an incident in a match against West Brom, but his value to Southampton’s attack cannot be quantified. Ramirez is a versatile, creative attacking midfielder, equally adept at playing the wing – where he began his professional career – or in the middle, where he was put when he burst onto the scene with Bologna in 2010. He is a very valuable piece and bigger clubs are likely watching him closely. (Getty/David Ramos)
Despite rumours of serious interest from the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal, Stoke City keeper Asmir Begovic is committed to be a Potter long term. He lived in Edmonton for a spell and even featured in 11 matches for Canada’s under-20 team between 2004 and 2007, but Begovic has long put to bed any question of his allegiances and has been Bosnia-Herzegovina’s first choice national keeper since the summer of last year. His performances for Stoke have ranged from spectacular to woeful, but he garnered enough support at the West Midlands club to get a contract that keeps him there till 2016. Begovic enters the season as the undisputed No. 1 for his club and country and is as athletic and solid a keeper as any in the Premier League. (AP/Jon Super)
Despite rumours of serious interest from the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal, Stoke City keeper Asmir Begovic is committed to be a Potter long term. He lived in Edmonton for a spell and even featured in 11 matches for Canada’s under-20 team between 2004 and 2007, but Begovic has long put to bed any question of his allegiances and has been Bosnia-Herzegovina’s first choice national keeper since the summer of last year. His performances for Stoke have ranged from spectacular to woeful, but he garnered enough support at the West Midlands club to get a contract that keeps him there till 2016. Begovic enters the season as the undisputed No. 1 for his club and country and is as athletic and solid a keeper as any in the Premier League. (AP/Jon Super)
Emanuele Giaccherini, Sunderland’s recent transfer from Juventus in Serie A, is one of the more unique players in the world. At five-foot-six, the Italian does not possess other-worldly talent, or speed, or strength, yet he thrives due to his versatility to play almost anywhere in the midfield. His intensity and work rate not only earned him a spot on Italy’s 2013 Confederations Cup team, but made him one of the Azzuri’s key players – all in spite of massive criticism towards Italy manager Cesare Prandelli for including him in the first place. The 28-year-old understands attacking space and for the supporters of blue-collar underdogs, Giaccherini appears to be a potential fan-favourite. (AP/Antonio Calanni)
Emanuele Giaccherini, Sunderland’s recent transfer from Juventus in Serie A, is one of the more unique players in the world. At five-foot-six, the Italian does not possess other-worldly talent, or speed, or strength, yet he thrives due to his versatility to play almost anywhere in the midfield. His intensity and work rate not only earned him a spot on Italy’s 2013 Confederations Cup team, but made him one of the Azzuri’s key players – all in spite of massive criticism towards Italy manager Cesare Prandelli for including him in the first place. The 28-year-old understands attacking space and for the supporters of blue-collar underdogs, Giaccherini appears to be a potential fan-favourite. (AP/Antonio Calanni)
The biggest question surrounding Tottenham Hotspurs’ superstar Gareth Bale this off-season was not how good he is, but rather how much that remarkable, world class talent is worth. Since Real Madrid began expressing serious interest in the Welsh international midfielder this past May, numbers between £85 million and £105 million have been thrown around concerning his transfer fee, with the most recent news being disagreement on which end of that gaudy spectrum he belongs. Nevertheless, the north London club has maintained his services for the time being and there is little doubt that in terms of speed, intensity, strength and power in a winger, it is near impossible to find someone better in the Premier League (and maybe even the world). At only 24 years of age, the scary part about him is that he can still get better, and while it seems likely that one of the world’s giants will pick him up eventually, he will certainly fetch a steep price for his services. (AP/Sang Tan)
The biggest question surrounding Tottenham Hotspurs’ superstar Gareth Bale this off-season was not how good he is, but rather how much that remarkable, world class talent is worth. Since Real Madrid began expressing serious interest in the Welsh international midfielder this past May, numbers between £85 million and £105 million have been thrown around concerning his transfer fee, with the most recent news being disagreement on which end of that gaudy spectrum he belongs. Nevertheless, the north London club has maintained his services for the time being and there is little doubt that in terms of speed, intensity, strength and power in a winger, it is near impossible to find someone better in the Premier League (and maybe even the world). At only 24 years of age, the scary part about him is that he can still get better, and while it seems likely that one of the world’s giants will pick him up eventually, he will certainly fetch a steep price for his services. (AP/Sang Tan)
There were few bigger on-pitch stories from last year’s season than the emergence of Swansea City’s striker Michu as an elite scoring force in the Premier League. Responsible for about 40% of the Welsh club’s goals in 2012-13, the 27-year-old Spaniard arrived from Rayo Vallecano for a fee of only £2 million and helped lead them to a Europa League appearance as a result of a League Cup championship over cindarella Bradford City in February, 2013. His performances earned him a new four-year deal earlier this year and a chance at cracking the Spanish national team appears almost within his reach. Equally adept at playing striker and attacking midfield, Michu is superb at holding up the ball in narrow formations and is extremely difficult to contain in the air. (AP/Andy Lloyd)
There were few bigger on-pitch stories from last year’s season than the emergence of Swansea City’s striker Michu as an elite scoring force in the Premier League. Responsible for about 40% of the Welsh club’s goals in 2012-13, the 27-year-old Spaniard arrived from Rayo Vallecano for a fee of only £2 million and helped lead them to a Europa League appearance as a result of a League Cup championship over cindarella Bradford City in February, 2013. His performances earned him a new four-year deal earlier this year and a chance at cracking the Spanish national team appears almost within his reach. Equally adept at playing striker and attacking midfield, Michu is superb at holding up the ball in narrow formations and is extremely difficult to contain in the air. (AP/Andy Lloyd)
Was West Bromwich Albion a solid defensive club that made keeper Ben Foster look good, or did Ben Foster make the Baggies’ defence look solid? Whatever the answer, West Brom finished higher in the Premier League table than they have in 30 years last season, with Foster equaling the club record with 10 clean sheets in the process. The 30-year-old has six England caps and was named both the team’s players’ and supporters’ player of the year last year, resulting in a contract extension of a minimum three years. While the jury is out concerning Foster’s future with the Three Lions, there is no doubting how much he means to West Midlands club. (AP/Jon Super)
Was West Bromwich Albion a solid defensive club that made keeper Ben Foster look good, or did Ben Foster make the Baggies’ defence look solid? Whatever the answer, West Brom finished higher in the Premier League table than they have in 30 years last season, with Foster equaling the club record with 10 clean sheets in the process. The 30-year-old has six England caps and was named both the team’s players’ and supporters’ player of the year last year, resulting in a contract extension of a minimum three years. While the jury is out concerning Foster’s future with the Three Lions, there is no doubting how much he means to West Midlands club. (AP/Jon Super)
With the Liverpool nightmare over for Andy Carroll, the powerful 24-year-old striker is looking to start a new era at West Ham. The Englishman was loaned out to the east London club last summer and was solid for the Hammers, putting up seven goals in 24 appearances and earning a permanent move to Upton Park by signing a six-year deal on 19 June, 2013 for a transfer fee of a West Ham record £15 million. Carroll is a handful for defenders of any calibre at six-foot-three, and the former prolific Newcastle product is still getting his feet wet with the England national team. Manager Sam Allardyce’s club struggled to score goals last campaign, netting only 45, so a lot of the weight of rectifying that situation looks to be placed on his broad shoulders. (AP/Alastair Grant)
With the Liverpool nightmare over for Andy Carroll, the powerful 24-year-old striker is looking to start a new era at West Ham. The Englishman was loaned out to the east London club last summer and was solid for the Hammers, putting up seven goals in 24 appearances and earning a permanent move to Upton Park by signing a six-year deal on 19 June, 2013 for a transfer fee of a West Ham record £15 million. Carroll is a handful for defenders of any calibre at six-foot-three, and the former prolific Newcastle product is still getting his feet wet with the England national team. Manager Sam Allardyce’s club struggled to score goals last campaign, netting only 45, so a lot of the weight of rectifying that situation looks to be placed on his broad shoulders. (AP/Alastair Grant)

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