With the Premier League on the cusp of returning today, football fans are once again getting ready for another eventful ten months of excitement. The English campaign has been a source of brilliance, entertainment and excitement over the years and this coming season promises to be no different.
Most of the clubs have brought in some exciting new players to improve their team. In fact, the players that have played week-in week-out last season will be more eager to improve and make an impact. So, who might impress this season?
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was signed by Arsenal from Borussia Dortmund in the January transfer window last season. He settled in quickly, scoring 10 goals and provided four assists in just 13 Premier League appearances for the North London club.
A contribution of a goal every 75.6 minutes could bring fear to the most established defenders in the league. And with new a manger at the helm of Arsenal for Aubameyang, he could be an important player for Gunners’ title hopes.
His goal-scoring ability is just incredible, as he has always been there at the top end of Golden Boot race every season he played in the Bundesliga. His conversion rate of 41.7 per cent marks him out as one of the most deadly strikers for the coming season.
Though, it is still not clear in which role Aubameyang will play under Unai Emery. Despite this, Aubameyang will definitely score goals, which is something he always does. If he carries on his exploits from last season, it will be a surprise if Aubameyang is not a contender for the 2018-19 Premier League Golden boot.
Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard has just come off a brilliant World Cup campaign in Russia that saw him lead Belgium’s golden generation to a third place finish. His tally of 3 goals and 2 assists is impressive on its own, but it was his all round game play that captured the imagination of the fans around the world.
He completed 100 per cent of his nine take-ons and drew seven fouls against Brazil, which proved especially crucial in the counter attacks as Belgium won the game. This proves that Hazard had a brilliant World Cup and he will be back in the Chelsea team as a confident man.
The Belgian is brilliant when running at defenders. In the Premier League last season, he logged 6.1 successful dribbles per 90 minutes at a success rate of 81 per cent, which is extraordinary.
Like Messi and Neymar, the threat that Hazard poses with the ball at his feet forces defenders to rush out and close him down. This type of ability means that Hazard is tasked with leading transition attacks, making him the critical piece to Chelsea’s attack.
Eden Hazard is an elite playmaker who creates sizeable amount of chances in any system of play. And after his eye catching performances during the World Cup in Russia, he will be in the spotlight for Chelsea once again.
And as he tries to replicate his form from Chelsea’s two previous title winning seasons, he will surely want to help his side win another title.
Alexis Sanchez
In his last full season in the Premier League at Arsenal, Alexis Sanchez was so potent that he was ranked among the best players in England. But in his first few months at Old Trafford, he scored only three goals in 18 games.
This coming season though, could be a crucial season for the forward as there have been several encouraging signs which have suggested he could deliver for Manchester United after some impressive showings during United’s pre-season tour.
During his 2016-17 Premier League season for Arsenal, Alexis Sanchez produced 24 goals and 11 assists, which is a brilliant record. He ranked top for chances created for Manchester United during the last five months of the league. These prove that Sanchez could be a vital player for United this season.
And he will be desperate to hit the ground running with a strong start to the season. Moreover, he can have no excuses with a full pre-season behind him and no issues with fatigue after not being involved in the World Cup this year.
Sanchez’s importance will only increase this season and it seems clear that the experienced forward needs to take responsibility and influence games for Manchester United. But there is no doubt that he will deliver for the 20-time Premier League champions.
He has the winning mentality and the experience to become an important player as United look to start the season strongly, and ultimately win the Premier League title after five years. He will surely want to win his first Premier League Golden Boot and place his name among one of Premier League greats, which he is quite capable of.
Mohamed Salah
Not even Mohamed Salah would have expected to have a season like he did for Liverpool, and his blistering 44 goals in all competition were there for all to see. It is hardly any wonder that he is being touted as the heir to the Ronaldo-Messi duopoly in the Ballon D’or awards.
He is the man who ended Harry Kane’s dominance of the Premier League Golden Boot last season by becoming the first player to score 32 goals in a 38 game season. Mo Salah (as he is better known) quite simply shot to the very top, as far as the best footballers in the World are considered.
His perfect left foot is magical to watch. His 27 left footed goals in a total of 34 goals in the Premier league can scare most of the elite Premier League defenders. His 0.69 goals per match last season prove how much of a brilliant striker of ball he is.
He is a proven, prolific goal scorer. He has thrived in both the Serie A and the Premier league, so there is no reason why he would not excel once again this season as well. The fact that his Liverpool side is considered to be one of the title challengers this season makes him a player to watch out for.
He will surely be considered as one of the best players in the world if he could lead his side to the Premier League glory – something that he is very much capable of.
Harry Kane
One player who has proved he can score consistently in the Premier League is Harry Kane. At 24 years in age, the current Spurs player is one of the best strikers in the World.
The fact that he has proven himself on the biggest stage of them all, at the World Cup (Golden Boot winner with 6 goals) will surely make him one of the favorites for the Premier League Golden Boot trophy.
He has struck 105 goals in 139 Premier League matches for Spurs since the start of 2014-15 season. This proves how much prolific he is, and moreover, he is getting better season after season.
Harry Kane is an extremely confident player who loves to shoot from distance and involves his teammates with good hold-up play too. The two times ‘Premier League Golden Boot’ winner has scored at a rate of 0.71 goals per match in his Premier League career, a stat only top class strikers can record.
He is in his prime and a player Tottenham Hotspur can build around. He will be a very vital player for Spurs if they want to have any chances of winning the Premier League. And with his phenomenal consistency, Kane will be desperate to get his Golden Boot back.