Aston Villa hitman pipped to crown by Everton’s best player…
Here’s the top 10 players outside the Premier League’s top six clubs, courtesy of fanatix.
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We know Liverpool finished behind Everton last term, but if we included Reds’ players, the list would probably have looked a bit one club biased!
So here’s the top 10:
10) Emanuele Giaccherini – Sunderland & Italy
How the Black Cats snapped up this diminutive 15 cap Italian international, we’ll never know. The winger/playmaker will provide Di Canio’s side with the attacking flair they so desperately need this season.
9) Kevin Mirallas – Everton & Italy
The Belgian flyer will be even more important to the Toffees this year now his international compatriot Marouane Fellaini has left Goodison Park. Mirrallas is a brilliant dribbler, and is capable of scoring and assisting goals.
8) Hatem Ben Arfa – Newcastle & France
At his best, the French international winger is practically unplayable. Ben Arfa struggles with injuries and consistency, but with his fondness for scoring wondergoals, he has the ability to play at the highest level.
7) Dimitar Berbatov – Fulham & Bulgaria
Arguably no player in the Premier League has as good a touch as the sulking Bulgarian. It’s a shame he can’t run, or he’d be regarded as one of the best players in the world.
6) Yohan Cabaye – Newcastle & France
With two players featuring in this list alone, it’s difficult to see how Alan Pardew’s side struggles so badly last season. Cabaye is a brilliant passer, and has fantastic ability from set-pieces. No wonder Arsenal and Manchester United tried to sign him this summer.
5) Pablo Osvaldo – Southampton & Italy
Osvaldo has all the qualities to tear the Premier League alight this season. He’s very hard-working, and has the tenacity needed to succeed in England. The Italian international bagged 17 last term for Roma, and will be regarded as a big success if he gets close to that for the Saints.
4) Asmir Begovic – Stoke & Bosnia
Easily the best keeper outside the top six – the giant Bosnian should be playing at a higher level. He’s brilliantly consistent from balls delivered into the box, and is a huge presence in goal.
3) Michu – Swansea & Spain
What a signing Michu turned out to be for Swansea. The Spaniard arrived in Wales last summer, and took the Premier League by storm, bagging 18 goals in his debut year. Now deployed in an attacking midfield position behind Wilfried Bony, Michu will act as a creative force for Swansea this term.
2) Christian Benteke – Aston Villa & Belgium
Only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have scored more league goals in 2013 than Benteke. The 22-year-old is unbelievably powerful, and kept £24m signing Darren Bent out of Paul Lambert’s Villa team last season. With three goals already this term, Benteke has started this season where he left the last.
1) Leighton Baines – Everton & England
There isn’t more that can be said about how crucial Baines is to Everton. The Toffees finished fifth last season, and predominately because of the multiple chances Baines created down the left-flank. He was the only player in Europe last term to create over 100 goal-scoring chances last season, and he did so from the left-back position. Take a bow, Leighton Baines.