With nine games gone in the premier league now, we can now to start to assess each team’s start. But which players have really stood out? In this article we’ll be looking at the key players who’ve played consistently well throughout the nine games (in Tottenham and Everton’s case eight). Let’s go.
David Silva
The Spaniard was superb in his debut 2010/11 season and he’s been even better so far this season. With his mesmerizing runs, clever passes and confident finishing, it could be argued that Silva is the ultimate creative player. His side, Man City are currently at the top of the premier league, and manager Roberto Mancini described Silva as “one of the best players in Europe and the world”. In this kind of form, it’s very hard to disagree. At this stage, the £24 million Man City paid Valencia last year for Silva’s services looks like a more than reasonable price.
Best performance: Manchester United away in a 6-1 win.
Juan Mata
Last season, the main criticism of Chelsea was their lack of creativity. They needed someone with trickery, ball control and good crossing ability. Like Man City did with David Silva, Chelsea looked at a Valencia player to resolve this issue and Juan Mata was the man they chose. A goal on his debut against Norwich instantly endeared the Spaniard to the Chelsea fans and Mata’s performances have been consistently impressive, form which looks set to continue for the remainder of the season.
Best performance: Sunderland away in a 2-1 win.
Yohan Cabaye
At the start of the season, hardly anybody would’ve thought Yohan Cabaye would be on a list such as this. However the Frenchman has been in inspiring form this season with performances which make Newcastle one of only two unbeaten sides in the premier league so far, along with leaders Manchester City. With a range of passing that would fit into the majority of, if not all premier league teams, Cabaye’s quality should never be underestimated.
Best performance: Aston Villa away in a 1-1 draw.
Wayne Rooney
The man who many consider to be one of the top five players in the world has unsurprisingly had a superb start to the 2011/12 season. With an almost unprecedented two hat-tricks in two games against Arsenal at Old Trafford and then away at Bolton, the man nicknamed “Wazza” has been as determined as ever to give Manchester United at 20th English league title. Despite not scoring since September 18th in the league at the time of writing, you have to assume Rooney will get or be very close to the premier league’s “Golden boot” award in May.
Best performance: At home to Arsenal in a 8-2 win
Sergio “Kun” Aguero
When any player comes from a foreign league to the premier league, many people expect the player regardless of the price tag, to take a while to settle in. However, Man City’s Sergio Aguero hasn’t needed any “settling in” time. Two goals in just over thirty minutes on his debut against Swansea, a goal in a 6-1 demolition of Manchester United at Old Trafford and a hat-trick against Wigan are just some of the performances which have put Aguero at the top of the goal scoring chart alongside Wayne Rooney.
Best performance: At home to Wigan at the Etihad stadium in a 3-1 win.
Honourable mentions
-Mario Ballotelli, Daniel Sturridge, Edin Dzeko, Ashley Young, Emmanuel Adebayor, Ro
