Andy Carroll
Having amassed over £40million now in transfer fee’s one can
hardly consider Andy Carroll a surprise package for the upcoming season. In
fact the spotlight will be on Carroll as much as ever as he prepares for this
weekend’s kick off. However, this is a world cup year and you could hardly
argue any of the other English strikers left last season with particular world
cup form. Carroll did well at West Ham, although his season was restricted by
injury he helped West Ham finish a credible 10th. His return of 7
goals and 4 assists was not bad in 24 games but he gives West Ham a lot more
than that.
His style of play is so suited to the Hammers, he is the
ideal target man and almost custom built for Sam Allardyce’s team. He was fouled on average 2.2 times a game.
The only players who were fouled more were the likes of Maloney, Sterling and
Hazard, tricky wingers rather than strong centre forwards. His physical
presence unsettles defences and he gets on the end of many long balls. He
brings those around him into play through flick ons and knock downs, as well as
offering a threat from set pieces.
In the last 2 seasons Matthew Jarvis has been the
Premierships 6th most accurate crosser, averaging 2.1 accurate
crosses per game. When he was at Villa in the 2010/11 season Stewart Downing
was averaging the same. In short this quality of service combined with a style
of play perfectly suited to him, Andy Carroll may eventually prove that he is
worth the hype and book his place in Brazil.
Andy Carroll as an outball.
Kevin De Bruyne
Last season in the Bundesliga only 5 players finished with
more assists than Kevin De Bruyne (9). 4 of the 5 played in the Champions
League final. Mario Gotze and Marco Reus were tied with De Bruyne on the same
number. In short he is a creator of world class ability which he showcased
throughout the campaign last season. Not only does the Belgian have a fantastic
ability to create he also scores goals. He finished last season with 10
Bundesliga goals which is only one less than Chelsea’s new German star Andre
Schurrle. Domestically, De Bruyne was tied with Mario Gotze. The pair both
achieved 10 goals and 9 assists (although Gotze done it in fewer appearances,)
this shows the calibre of player De Bruyne is.
He saw plenty of action in pre-season for Chelsea, and could
fit perfectly into the 4-2-3-1 formation Mourinho is likely to implement. He
likes to play from the left of this system but is equally comfortable
centrally. Chelsea’s key strength lies in the creative young force which drives
on behind the striker. Hazard, Mata, Oscar & Moses all impressed last
season in that bank of 3, and with the return of De Bruyne and the acquisition
of Schurrle the London side will have more options and more cover.
His style of play is one which will excite Premiership neutrals
as well, he likes to get on the ball and make things happen. His close control
and skill is exceptional and he is a tidy long and short range passer. When
playing from the left he enjoys cutting inside, very similar to fellow Belgian
Hazard. If he is given enough playing time, De Bruyne might be one of this
seasons stand out performers.
Shinji Kagawa
In the same bracket as Andy Carroll, Kagawa isn’t a player
who if he has a good season, he will surprise many people. Making his name at
Dortmund, he left for Manchester last season and by the end of the campaign had six goals and a premiership medal to his name. Not bad you think,
but there was something about Kagawa’s performances which didn’t quite live up
to his reputation. On his debut against Everton as United lost, he was the
stand out performer for the reds. He played in the pocket of space behind
Rooney and showcased his potential. His ball control and positional play is
outstanding. He is a very intelligent footballer who hurts teams by drifting
around, getting into space, linking up with others and causing problems.
Because of Van Persie last season Rooney was forced to play either as the
secondary striker or in the number 10 role behind the Dutchman. Kagawa was
resigned to either the wing, the bench or the fitness table. This season with
the much publicised problems with Rooney, Kagawa could eventually see a lot
more game time in his favourite role.
Moyes is a fan of the player behind the striker, for years
at Everton had Tim Cahill and then eventually Marouane Felliani starring in the
role. Kagawa only finished with 3 assists in his 20 appearances. He isn’t a
player who will pick the ball up in that role and dribble; instead he enjoys
making angles and laying off the final ball. He wasn’t getting into these
positions enough last season either because of lack of game time or else being
played out of position. This season that could change.
With a pass success rate of 89.7% Kagawa was the league’s 13th
best passer last season. This is impressive considering how many more games the
other 12 had than him. This season could see Kagawa really fulfil his potential
and grow into possible one of United’s most important attacking options, under
Moyes and in his favoured number 10 role, the Japanese star could flourish.
Morgan Schneiderlin
What a signing the Frenchman has been for Southampton.
Joining from hometown side RC Strasbourg in 2008 for €1.2million the combative
midfielder has become a fans favourite at St Mary’s playing just under 200 times
for the club. Last season he picked up
Southampton’s fans player of the year award as well as the players player of
the year award.
Last season in the Premiership Schneiderlin averaged 4.1
tackles per game. An exceptional amount which was only beaten by Lucas Leiva. A
very combative player Schneiderlin has a fantastic ability to also read the
game which saw him make a league high average of 3.9 interceptions per game.
This means that on average Schneiderlin was making an average of 4 tackles and
4 interceptions per game, making him statistically the league’s best defensive
midfielder. He also very gifted with the ball at his feet, his pass completion
rate of 85.2% is equal to that of Chelsea trio Ramires, Eden Hazard and Juan
Mata.
Southampton have also captured the Kenyan midfield colossus
Victor Wanyama who is also a very combative midfielder. Early indications
suggest that Southampton intend for the two to partner each other which makes
for a very very difficult midfield to break down. This could result in
Southampton being this season’s surprise package; especially with the likes of
Gaston Ramirez and Adam Lallana who will be given license to create because of the
defensive platform in the midfield. At 23 Schneiderlin has been capped at every
level for France except senior, and if he can build on last year’s performances
then that could very soon change.
Emanuele Giaccherini
The main problem last season for Sunderland was how blunt
they looked in front of goal and at creating chances. They suffered a massive
loss through Steven Fletcher’s injury and then made safety in time under Di
Canio. The Italian has made the most signings in the league and none stand out
more than the Italian international Giaccherini. The rumoured fee is just under
£7million and the player may take the Premiership by storm.
Injuries and being played out of position at Juventus meant
he didn’t have the most enjoyable time in Turin, but Giaccherini played in
every game of Italy’s confederations cup. Sunderland will utilise him on the
wing where he should be able to use his pace and trickery. In Serie A
Giaccherini made on average 1.9 key passes per game, the 13th
highest in the league. Only Pirlo and Vidal at Juventus averaged more and they
played a lot more games than him. Di Canio is trying stamp his own mark upon
the club, changes in discipline and personal have been made. Giaccherini has
the ability now to become Sunderland’s key man and week in week out football if
he remains fit could do his World Cup chances no harm at all.
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