Stand-out Players 2015/16
Just over a season, Leicester have made their way to the top, while Chelsea have been sinking down to the bottom...(Okay, I guess Chelsea isn't doing THAT badly... Thank Hiddink.)
2014/15:
Current situation:
Crazy isn't it? How JUST over 1 season, SO much can change.
(But of course, not much has changed for Man Utd after Fergie left. *cries at that thought*)
With all these changes in the table, come changes in the players.
Some have gotten better, and some have become, well... not so good...
I have compiled a list of certain players whom I feel have made great contributions for their teams from between last season up to this point in time.
Let's start with the an obvious one,
1. Jamie Vardy (Leicester)
I feel like he truly deserves whatever recognition he has received so far.
For starters, he broke van Nistelrooy's record, scoring consecutively in 11 Premier League matches.
He was also the Player of The Month consecutively for October AND November in 2015.
AND has made a significant amount of contribution in adding up to Leicester's current standing in the EPL table.
But that isn't even the best part about him...
How much is he earning? £80,000 a week.
Now let's compare this to another player currently playing for an English club.
Any guesses? Obviously, it's none other than...
£300,000 a week.
(Keeping in mind that both of them are roughly around the same age.)
He has scored many goals for Man Utd during his time here, and not to mention the many achievements/awards he has earned for himself.
But what about now? He's definitely not doing as well as he used to, and this has been the case even before Sir Alex left... Remember that season when he was already having 'problems'? Sir Alex constantly benched him.
Why is it that even though he's way passed his peak, he is still earning more than any other average footballer?
His performance level does not justify his pay, unlike Vardy, who's earning almost 4 times less than him.
Next, we have someone who has been rather consistent since his arrival, in 2011.
#DaveSaves
2. David de Gea (Man Utd)
DaveSaves indeed... (ManU's ass every other week.)
What a world class goalkeeper.
Thank god for the screw up on his transfer to Real... Without him, Man Utd would be doing so much worse.
He was/is an essential part of the whole team, having made many unfathomable saves for the club.
After our strongest defenders left, there was no strong central defence. -
Ferdinand's smooth, elegant play, and Vidic's aggression is what made them such a dynamic duo.
-BUT we still performed reasonably well. Why? Because we had a good goalkeeper.
It's not a secret that Man Utd's defence isn't too strong...
We have Phil Jones, who's very prone to injury.
Luke Shaw has been out for a while.
Rojo and Valencia injured.
Darmian out, after his shoulder injury during the recent Sunderland
game.
Leaving us with just Blind and Smalling.
Weak central defence? Nothing De gea can't handle...
Seriously, he's saving our ass every single week...
A comment from a legendary goalkeeper on this Spanish player:
"De Gea is high, has good feet, comes with authority and is agile... has everything to be one of the greatest goalkeepers in the next ten years."
-Edwin van der Sar.
Another Manchester United Player...
(I'm not biased toward Man Utd, I swear. Okay maybe just a little bit... or a lot)
3. Anthony Martial (Man Utd)
Young and fast, skilful, and full of potential.
I feel as though he may possibly be the one and only chance of Man Utd turning their game around.
Martial was the recipient of the 2015 Golden Boy Award for the best under 21 plater in Europe, and award that i think he deserved very much.
He's quick and talented, and is only 20 years of age.
With his ability, he will just get better and better.
He's calm and composed when he plays, shows just the right amount of arrogance, and makes the trickiest goals look so effortless.
Okay okay... Last Man Utd player, I PROMISE!!
4. Jesse Lingard (Man Utd)
Another youngster... better yet, one who started his youth career at Manchester United at the age of 8.
Like, Martial, he's young and quick, and is very talented as well.
He's been pretty consistent and has vastly improved over the last few games.
My main concern with him is that he isn't performing at his fullest ability. I feel like the managers/coaches aren't quite working with him and all his potential.
5. Olivier Giroud (Arsenal)
Putting aside the fact that the man is flipping drop dead gorgeous, he's been a damn good player for Arsenal these few months.
A good striker scores.
A great striker scores and creates goals. That's what Giroud has been doing,-assisting.
Sure, he has had a lot of missed chances and hasn't scored much recently... but he is definitely a key player and an important asset in Arsenal's fight in snatching the championship.
Probably why Arsene Wenger has so much faith in him...
"I am not concerned about Giroud's form. He set up Ozil for the first goal against Bournemouth last week. For me, an assist or a goal is the same for an attacker."
6. Petr Cech (Arsenal)
Really, there isn't much to say about him.
He's a world class goalkeeper, one of the best really, and EVERYONE knows that.
He did well at Chelsea, and he's still doing well at Arsenal.
The good thing about being a goalkeeper is that you can stay in your prime for a long long time. You have the experience and the knowledge to bring out the best of your abilities even in your late thirties.
Take van der Sar and Schmeichel as examples.
Edwin van der Sar retired at 40.
Schmeichel retired in his late thirties and was still at his prime at Man Utd at the age of 35.
Cech is 33, and still has a good five seasons or so, of brilliance in him, to contribute to Arsenal.
As much as it annoys me that he's the reason why Manchester City is doing so well, I couldn't not include him in this list. Next, we have...
7. Sergio Aguero (Man City)
He's fast and physically very strong, and is currently one of the most lethal strikers in the Premier League.
He holds a record for the most goals scored in a single EPL match, 5 goals AND being the fastest to do so, in 23 minutes & 34 seconds.
And his headers? WOW.
His eye for the game, accuracy and perfect timing allows him to score all those outstanding goals.
He holds a record for the most goals scored in a single EPL match, 5 goals AND being the fastest to do so, in 23 minutes & 34 seconds.
And his headers? WOW.
His eye for the game, accuracy and perfect timing allows him to score all those outstanding goals.
He has also won 3 Premier League Player of The Month awards, having won the most recent one in January of this year.
He was out for a while, and his form after returning is obviously not as strong as it initially was, but still very remarkable considering his injury record.
He really is one to watch.
He really is one to watch.
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"Sometimes you have to force players into being better than what they think they are."
-Sir Alex Ferguson.
-Sir Alex Ferguson.
14.02.16
