The men that Mata this coming season.
The new Premier League season is just around the corner and several clubs will be trying to finish at the top of the table. In each of the top five clubs in England’s top flight, there is a player that that club simply can’t do without, whether by scoring 20 plus goals or operating in the midfield and controlling the game. Here are five players who will be crucial to their clubs next season.
Robin Van Persie- Manchester United
The Dutchman’s first season at Manchester United was magnificent and he was ultimately the difference between the Red Devils and their main title rivals Manchester City. Both of the Manchester clubs were desperate to land Van Persie last summer, with the Dutchman entering the last year of his contract at Arsenal and looking to move away from the Emirates. In the end, Manchester United was the only club that Van Persie wanted to play for, due to the history of the club and his admiration for the clubs manager Sir Alex Ferguson. The Scot had always been interested in signing Van Persie but never thought he would have the chance to work with him as he thought the Gunners would never sell the striker to one of their title rivals.
In the end, Arsenal had no choice and the signing gave United a huge boast. The Dutchman was the quality signing that they need and he soon flourished at Old Trafford, scoring several vital goals, such as the winner against Manchester City in United’s 3-2 victory at the Etihad in December. He finished as the Premier League’s top goal scorer and United will need more of the same this season if they are to reclaim their title. New manager David Moyes will be desperate for his first season at United to go smoothly and he will need Van Persie firing on all cylinders for that to happen. The Dutchman could become even more crucial to United if they end selling Wayne Rooney, who wants to leave the club this summer. Van Persie is arguably the Premier League’s finest marksman and if he can score a similar amount of goals to what he did last season, then the Red Devils will come close to retaining their title again.
Yaya Toure- Manchester City
Manchester City have many key players from Sergio Aguero to David Silva but their most important is Yaya Toure, the man who drives their midfield. Toure is huge figure at the heart of City’s midfield, the man who carries the ball forward and also acts as a buffer for City’s defence. During City’s 2011/2012 title victory, Toure was hugely important, scoring several vital goals and also setting up plenty of opportunities with his powerful forward runs. Last season, Toure’s participation in City’s first team was hampered by injury and his appearance at the African Cup of Nations and that was clearly felt at the Etihad. With Toure gone, City lost a valuable cog in their armoury. They started to be dominated by teams in midfield without the former Barcelona player to break up attacks for them.
City clearly missed Toure last season and if they are to bounce back and win the Premier League title this season, they will need Toure to be fully fit and focused. Although the manager at the Etihad has changed, with Manuel Pellegrini replacing Roberto Mancini, Toure’s role in the midfield will surely stay the same. The midfielder is a player who always seems to rise to the occasion and give City a match winning performance when they most need it. If he stays fit then City have a real chance of reclaiming the Premier League trophy from their bitter rivals, Manchester United.
Chelsea- Juan Mata
Mata has become Chelsea’s most influential player since he moved to Stamford Bridge from Valencia two years ago. Despite a disappointing campaign from the Blues last season, Mata still shone, scoring plenty of wonderful goals while playing clever passes that set up goals. With Jose Mourinho returning to Stamford Bridge, Mata will once again need to play an important role if the Portuguese second spell at the Blues is to get off to a good start. There was speculation earlier in the summer that Mourinho was considering selling Mata and then using the money he received to fund his own transfer targets. It appears that speculation was false and it now appears that Mourinho will offer Mata a new lucrative contract to stay at Chelsea for even longer.
This will please the Blues fans, who were shocked at the reports that Mata could have been sold. The Spaniard has become a fans favourite during his time at Stamford Bridge and won the clubs player of year award last season, showing just how much affection the fans have for him. If Chelsea are to win the Premier League for the first time since 2010, then Mata will need to have another impressive season, setting up goals for the strikers and also popping up with a fair share of goals himself. Mata is now at his peak and has the opportunity to become one of the Premier League’s greatest ever midfielders. He is already regarded as the best midfielder currently in the Premier League and that could be re-enforced if helps the Blues to the Premier League title.
Arsenal- Jack Wilshere
Wilshere is becoming the face of English football and will surely play a key role in Roy Hodgson’s side for next summer World Cup in Brazil. Before that, Arsene Wenger will hope that Wilshere has a fantastic season for Arsenal and that most importantly he stays fit for a large part of it. Wilshere’s early career has been hit hard by injury, with him missing most of the last two seasons through several ailments. Still, every time he has played for Arsenal, he has looked like a world class player in waiting and could become one of the best midfielders in English football if can get a good run of games together. Wilshere is unlike most English players in that his technical ability is exceptional. He can spot a pass and play it, making him a strikers dream.
Arsene Wenger has always liked players like this and Wilshere will be given a real chance to stamp his place on Arsenal’s midfield if he stays fit. If the England international can stay fit throughout the entire season, then he could lead Arsenal to the title. Whenever he plays for the Gunners he seems to lift them and if can do this throughout the course of the season, then Arsenal could stay near the summit of the Premier League table with the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea. Arsenal are almost certain to add reinforcements to their squad this summer, with Wenger having a record transfer budget to spend on players but the most important player in the Arsenal team may well already be at Emirates. The Gunners just need to keep him fit. If they do, Wilshere could have a huge impact on the Gunners season.
Tottenham Hotspur- Gareth Bale
Bale scored 21 goals for Spurs last season and was without doubt their stand out player. He won three individual awards and is now regarded as one of the best attacking players in world football. He scored 21 Premier League goals for Spurs last season and acted as their top goal scorer and most creative player. However, his excellent performances last season didn’t go unnoticed, with Real Madrid interested in bringing the winger to the Santiago Bernabeu. Madrid are reportedly ready to pay a world record fee to sign Bale, thought to be around £85 million. The winger himself would like a move to Real Madrid, feeling that he is at the right point in his career to move to one of Europe’s best teams. This has put Tottenham in a difficult position.
An £85 million transfer fee is a lot and Andre Villas Boas could overhaul the clubs squad with that type of money. However, Bale is so important to Spurs due to the goals he scores and creates. Spurs need Bale at White Hart Lane to help them push their way into the Premier League’s top four and there is no doubting that the task of getting into the Champions League will be much easier if the winger is at the club. With the right reinforcements, Spurs could even make a bid for the Premier League title, as long as Bale is at White Hart Lane. However, it is clear that the player wants to leave and although he won’t hand it a transfer request, it is unlikely that he will be in the right state of mind to start Spurs Premier League season. If Spurs do keep Bale, even for one season, they would be a much more formidable opponent and would make a real charge for the Premier League’s top four. Time will tell whether Bale is willing to wait one more year before making his dream move to Real Madrid. Spurs fans will hope that they can keep their main man for just a little longer.