The new boys who have made the biggest impact on the Premier League this season.10. Lukas Podolski
The German international joined Arsenal from FC Cologne with the task of helping the Gunners replace the goals of Robin van Persie. Podolski made an immediate impression, scoring his first goal with a well-taken finish in a 2-0 win against Liverpool at Anfield. He has gone on to contribute 9 goals and 9 assists in the league – not bad at all for his first season in England.
9. Kevin Mirallas
One of many talented Belgians in the Premier League, Mirallas has certainly made an impression in the latter half of this season. After joining from Olympiacos, £6million looks like a decent price for the 25-year-old, who has shown a knack for scoring fine individual efforts, and causing defences problems with his dribbling skills. He only has 4 goals and 3 assists in the league, but there looks like there’ll be more to come from him next year.
8. Chico Flores
Part of the Spanish revolution at the Liberty Stadium, Chico joined from Serie A side Genoa for just £2million, and has looked one of the most solid defenders in the Premier League. The 26-year-old is also a Capital One Cup winner in his first year with the club, and has definitely played a key role in the Swans’ second successful season in the top flight.
7. Loic Remy
Despite only joining half way through the season, Loic Remy looks a top Premier League player already. The Frenchman has 5 league goals in 10 appearances for a struggling QPR side, who will almost certainly lose the player they signed from Marseille to one of a number of interested clubs still in the division. His recent strike against Wigan is a realistic contender for goal of the season.
6. Santi Cazorla
Part of a summer overhaul at Arsenal, Santi Cazorla looks like becoming one of Arsene Wenger’s best signings. The Gunners were able to somewhat surprisingly land the Spanish playmaker without much competition for a fee of around £15million from struggling Malaga. 12 goals and 10 assists in the league make him one of the most productive midfielders in the country, and a surprise omission from the PFA Player of the Year shortlist.
5. Matija Nastasic
At just 20 years of age, the Serbian centre-back shows remarkable composure and intelligence for his age. Signed for Manchester City from Fiorentina, he looks a sound long-term investment for the Champions. Arguably the only positive to come from City’s business in the transfer market last summer. Desperately unlucky not to be a candidate for Young Player of the Year.
4. Eden Hazard
It didn’t take long for the signing from Lille to establish himself in England, with Hazard notching up one goal and five assists in his first three league games for Chelsea. The 22-year-old cost big money for the Blues and had been a target for the two Manchester clubs, and they will regret missing out on him after a great first season in the Premier League. The Belgian joins his team-mate Juan Mata as a contender for PFA Player of the Year.
3. Jan Vertonghen
The summer signing from Ajax had been likened to Arsenal’s Thomas Vermaelen on arrival, but now looks a far superior player. Vertonghen has been deployed at centre-back and left-back for Tottenham this season, and has looked comfortable in either position. He’s looked pretty comfortable in front of goal too, with four strikes in the Premier League, making himself an instant fans’ favourite at White Hart Lane.
2. Christian Benteke
If Aston Villa avoid relegation from the Premier League this season, they will have one man to thank – Christian Benteke. The summer signing from Genk has been a revelation for the club, justifying manager Paul Lambert’s controversial decision to leave Darren Bent out of the staring lineup. They will struggle to keep hold of the powerhouse forward after a hugely impressive 15 goals and 4 assists in the league. The fourth Belgian on this list, and a deserved candidate for PFA Young Player of the Year.
1. Michu
The signing of the summer is undoubtedly Michu. After joining Michael Laudrup’s side for just £2million, the Spaniard has emerged as one of the Premier League’s deadliest finishers. Behind only Robin van Persie, Luis Suarez and Gareth Bale in the goalscoring charts, the 27-year-old has made himself a hero at the Liberty Stadium with his role in their Capital One Cup win, and will attract interest from a number of top clubs in the next transfer window.