The beauty of playing in the English Premier League is that no matter what club you ply your trade for; you have a chance to impact the final table. Players can go from pub trivia fodder to national team player (John Ruddy anyone?) and from solid contributor to top defender (Vincent Kompany) in just 38 games thanks to the highly competitive nature and the ever-increasing global exposure of England’s top league. Last year was a shining example of this as players like Anthony Pilkington, Michael Vorm, and Demba Ba turned into household names with consistent outstanding play and players like Alex Song, Juan Mata and Victor Moses took their game to the next level (Moses wouldn’t have caught Abramovich’s wandering eye before last season and Song is even drawing interest from Barca! Daily Mail)
Every season there are a couple players who seemingly come out of nowhere to play a key role in the Premier League drama and a couple solid contributors who make the step up to EPL star. Who will breakout in 2012/13? Let’s have a look at 4 players who are early contenders.
James McClean – Sunderland
The young 19-year old Irishman was almost left off this list as one could argue he was one of the breakout stars of the second half of last season scoring 5 goals in 20 starts once given the opportunity by new manager Martin O’Neill. A full season under O’Neill should provide a further launching pad for this exciting winger and experienced poacher Steven Fletcher looks set to join from Wolves (ESPNSoccernet) to provide an additional target for McClean’s pinpoint crosses. Expect a big season from McClean as Sunderland fights for a top-half finish.
Michu – Swansea
Michu looks like the latest in a series of tremendous purchases for the Premierships’ resident Welsh club. 15 goals from midfield in La Liga is no small feat not to mention doing it in your first season in Spain’s top league AND doing it for tiny Rayo Vallecano. Michu should slide right into Gylfi Sigurdsson’s vacant role and with Leon Britton already present to distribute, Michu should be free to focus on attacking and provide a similar return to Sigurdsson. I expect Michu to make an instant impact as the situation is perfect for him at Swansea and players often find the adjustment from La Liga to the EPL to be relatively seamless.
Hatem Ben Arfa – Newcastle
Already a well-known name in world football, Ben Arfa can never seem to stay healthy for a full season and show his full potential. Newcastle was full of breakout players last campaign (Krul, Cabaye, Cisse, Ba) and Ben Arfa looks set to join them this season if he can stay fit. It’s hard to believe Ben Arfa is only 25 (he made his Champions League debut in 2005 for Lyon) but when he is on his game the enigmatic Frenchman is a force with his pace and flair. He looked lively for France in Euro 2012 despite a disappointing row with former coach Laurent Blanc and should carry that confidence into the new season.
Kerim Frei – Fulham
Although he only made 16 appearances for the senior team last season, Frei was electrifying to watch in near every run-out even turning in a man of the match performance against Chelsea in April. Danny Murphy’s departure coupled with the rumored departures of Dempsey and Dembele might just open up a semi-regular place in the team for the young Turkish international, and from what I’ve seen out of him up to this point I think he’ll do well in the league once given consistent time on the field. He looks confident running at defenders and is extremely quick with the ball at his feet. Martin Jol has a great track record developing young talent and I expect he recognizes he has a potential star on his hands. Look out for Frei!
Any other players that you think might make the step up? Let me know in the comment section and I’ll be back to identify 4 more players in part 2.
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