Some are already established as the best players in the Barclays English Premier League while others will be keen to make an instant impact as they prepare for their first taste of English football’s top flight. We look at 10 players who should be worth watching this season.
1. » Wayne Rooney , Manchester United
After a fabulous season for Manchester United, Rooney had a disappointing World Cup campaign and that will only serve to fire him up for another goal filled season for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side. Rooney made light of Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit last season with 34 goals in all competitions for the club. The 24 year old will again be the driving force for United as they attempt to wrestle the title back from Chelsea.
2. » Joe Cole, Liverpool
Liverpool have taken a real gamble on Joe Cole and the 28 year old has a point to prove after joining the Reds on a four year deal from Chelsea in the summer. Cole played a bit part in the Blues’ double winning success last season due to injury and Carlo Ancelotti’s reicence to give him a regular first team berth. Cole has all the tricks and flicks in his armoury that will endear him to the Anfield faithful but his work rate is another matter. Still, expect him to flourish alongside Steven Gerrard.
3. » Yossi Benayoun, Chelsea
A clever piece of business by Chelsea saw them snap up Benayoun for a £5million fee. The 30 year old former Liverpool midfielder will provide the Blues with all the trickery and unpredictability they have lacked in the recent seasons. A supremely talented midfielder with a fine work rate, Benayoun will be a massive hit at Stamford Bridge and make the home fans soon forget the loss of Joe Cole.
4. » Aaron Lennon, Tottenham
Lennon, 23, knows he needs to make his mark this season after a torrid period on the sidelines. Lennon’s progress last season was hampered by a groin injury and he only returned in time to make it into Fabio Capello’s 23 men World Cup squad. But Lennon, like the rest of the England squad, failed to shine in South Africa. Now the Tottenham winger will be itching to prove that he has lost none of the pace and trickery that made him such a threat to defences.
5. » Marouane Chamakh, Arsenal
The Morocco striker joined the Gunners on a free transfer from Bordeaux this summer having been on Arsene Wenger’s radar for some time. Scorer of 14 goals for Bordeaux as they won the 2008-09 French leauge title, he is a strong linl-up man who should work well with the likes of Andrey Arshavin and Cesc Fabregas, if the Spaniard remains at the Emirates Stadium.
6. » David Silva, Manchester City
Silva, a star of Spain’s Euro 2008 winning squad but more of a bit-part player in their 2010 World Cup success, will ease into the Premier League and show the class that prompted City to pay a reported £24million for his services. City boss Roberto Mancini believes Silva, 24, can make a big impact in the top flight and he certainly possesses all the quality to spearhead City’s charge for a place in the Uefa Champions League at the end of the next term. Full of class.
7. » Frederic Piquionne, West Ham
Although something of a veteran at 31, Piquionne has already shown that he loves the EPL. The talented striker helped Portsmouth to reach their second FA Cup final in three years last season during a season-long loan from Lyn. But he linked up with former Pompey boss Avram Grant at Uptopn Park on a three year deal this summer and is sure to be among the goals once again.
8. » Ashley Young, Aston Villa
Surprisingly left out of Fabio Capello’s World Cup squad for the finals in South Africa, Young, 25, remains one of the most exciting talents in the EPL. His pace and trickery can bamboozle any defence but his ability to curl the ball into the penalty area and his accuracy from set-pieces make him a real tour de force. Young’s omission from the World Cup squad will provide him with the necesary desire to ensure that Capello does not make the same mistake again.
9. » Jermaine Beckford, Everton
Another player with the ability to be a real hit in the top flight is Everton new recruit Beckford. The former Leeds striker has all the quality needed to make the leap from League One to the top flight and Everton boss David Moyes will ensure that Beckford gets it right. The striker proved to be a real handful at Leeds and at 26, this is Beckford’s main shot at the big time. Expect him to shine.
10. » Andy Carroll, Newcastle
Handed the number nine shirt at newly promoted Newcastle, Carroll is set to build on his superb season with United last term. Carroll was instrumental in Newcastle’s return to the Premier League and will hope to follow in the footsteps of such legends as Jackie Milburn, Alan Shearer and Malcolm MacDonald. A real handful for defenders, both o nthe ground and in the air, Carroll, 21, has all the credentials to be a hit in the top flight.