Expect big things from these players and with Sky Sports you can be there alongside them every step of the way with 116 live games…
After one of the most unpredictable title races in its 22 year history last season, the Barclays Premier League makes a welcome return to action this month.
There are so many questions to be answered; are Man City still the team to beat, how will Liverpool cope without Suarez, can Arsenal challenge until the end, will Man Utd return under Van Gaal and how will Ireland’s players fare?
With this in mind, we decided to take a brief look at the key players for every team, starting with last years top half.
Man City
Key Man: Yaya Toure
There were times last season when it looked like the Ivorian was almost single handedly dragging his team over the title winning line.
The talismanic midfielder scored 24 goals in all competitions and without him Man City would have lost the title. Fact.
There isn’t a single facet to his game that isn’t impressive. He can score, tackle, pass, defend, take free kicks and dribble aka the complete midfielder. Shame about that cake business though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPp5JU911kQ
Clip via – SVMMtv
Liverpool
Key Man: Raheem Sterling
With a certain Uruguayan having left the club, Liverpool will be looking for a player who can provide that much needed piece of flair, dynamism and magic in the final third.
Enter Raheem Sterling. Brendan Rodgers used the prodigious attacker brilliantly last year and his pace absolute terrified defenders.
Ominously the talented teenager is constantly improving with each game , especially his final ball and finishing. Expect him to add even more goals this campaign.
Chelsea
Key Man: Nemaja Matic
Chelsea look absolutely formidable this season and the abundance of attacking talent at ‘The Special Ones’ disposal is enough to make most teams quake in their boots.
Costa, Hazard, Schürrle , Fabregas, Drogba, Oscar et all will score plenty of goals, however, Mourinho would much rather make his team hard to beat than entertaining, this is why Matic is so important.
There were times last season, mainly before the Serb joined in January, where the Blues’ midfield looked absolutely ragged and disorganised. Newcastle, West Brom, Stoke and Basle all spring to mind.
The difference Matic made to the Chelsea team was immense. If you want proof then just look at the Atletico Madrid Champions League semi-final when he was cup tied.
Arsenal
Key Player: Aaron Ramsey
Oh, what could have been for Arsenal last season. There is no denying that Wenger’s men were the Premier League’s in-form team up until the Welshman got injured.
What happened after? The usual Arsenal season, they lost the big games when they really mattered but were still good enough to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.
Ramsey was easily their best player until his thigh injury, he scored 13 goals, and the Gunners missed him badly for the rest of the season.
Wilshere is rarely fit, Arteta is over worked and Ozil/Rosicky can be unpredictable. Rambo’s return is huge boost.
Everton
Key Man: Seamus Coleman
Ok we are being slightly biased here but don’t forget that Coleman was named in the PFA team of the year and rightfully so.
The Killybegs man was a revelation under Roberto Martinez who helped bring the talented defenders game on to the next level, Coleman scored 7 times last season.
Everton frequently switched their shape to operate with a back three and the decision to play Coleman and Baines as wing-backs reaped wonders for the Toffees.
The ex Sligo Rovers player has also been impressive for Ireland and Martin O’Neill will need him on top form because the road to France ’16 is a tough one.
Tottenham Hotspur
Key Man: Christian Eriksen
Apart from Tim Sherwood’s gilet and touchline tantrums there was very little to remember from Tottenham’s first season in the post Bale era.
AVB paid the ultimate price for his new look squad failing to gel but Christian Eriksen was the only undoubted success.
The Danish midfielder looks the archetypical No 10 and he frequently showed his brilliance with some deft first touches, expert vision and defence splitting passes.
Pochettino should be looking to build his attack around the Dane’s talents.
Manchester United
Key Man: Juan Mata
There are so many question marks about Man Utd that choosing a key player was very difficult.
What shape will they play? Will they sign some new defenders? Will RVP or Rooney be named captain?
The shape of their side in pre-season has been interesting with Van Gaal preferring a 3-4-3 formation but we feel that the Dutchman has to find a way to incorporate the brilliant talents of Juan Mata.
Rooney isn’t best deployed as a 10, Kagawa seems to be on the way out but Mata has showed glimpses last season, against Norwich and Newcastle especially, of what he does best.
The defence should be the immediate concern to Van Gaal but as we all know, it’s forwards that win you games and Mata will supply the ammo.
Southampton
Key Player: James Ward-Prowse
We all know who has left so lets take a look at what’s left.
Jay Rodriguez is still injured, Morgan Schneiderlin wants out, Gastón Ramírez hasn’t made the required impact and Victor Wanyama was used sparingly last season.
We are sure that Saints manager Ronald Koeman will strengthen because right now he desperately needs to.
Ward-Prowse featured 39 times last season which is very impressive considering the midfielder is still 19. Whenever we saw him he looked assured and composed on the ball but his key asset is his delivery.
Stoke City
Key player: Bojan Krkic
Mark Hughes deserves enormous credit for slightly changing the playing style of Stoke City. The Potters are still hard to beat, aggressive and organised, however, under Hughes they have started to open up and play a more attractive brand of football.
Stephen Ireland and Marko Arnautoivic were last seasons creative hub but we expect Bojan Krkic (yes that Bojan from Barcelona) to be the main man this season.
Two goals in his first 3 friendlies certainly takes some of the pressure off his shoulders and the 23 year old forward has undoubted quality. Potters fans will be happy to see that Hughes looks like he is the man to unlock it.
Newcastle United
Key Man: Tim Krul
We have a feeling that it could be a very long season for Newcastle United and their supporters.
The January departure of Yohan Cabaye saw the clubs results plummet, however, Loic Remy was there to fire them to safety… but he has left now.
Tim Krul has already proven himself as one of the leagues most consistent and impressive goalkeepers and he will need to be on top form again.
Don’t forget that the Magpies suffered heavy defeats to Arsenal, Man Utd, Southampton, Everton , Spurs, Sunderland and Swansea last season. Things could get very uncomfortable for Alan Pardew again this season but in Krul he has a quality ‘keeper.
