The local leagues around the World have had a break for a week now and things will resume this weekend. This gives us the opportunity to look at some of the star performers in the English Premier League so far.
Manchester City and Chelsea have lived up to their billing as the two most likely teams to fight it out for the title while Southampton have surprised everyone with some strong showings, proving all those people wrong who were expecting a difficult season for them after a mass exodus of players.
Team of the season so far:
Goalkeeper
Thibaut Courtois:
The Belgian has been so good that Petr Cech, Chelsea’s first choice keeper for the last 9 years, had to wait for an unfortunate injury to make his first appearance this season. With an attack line like Chelsea’s, the focus was never going to be on their defence as Chelsea under Mourinho have always been a good defensive unit. But had it not been for Courtois’ key saves in the opening few games, the blues would have lost many more points.
Clean sheets: 2
Saves made: 7
Defenders
César Azpilicueta:
Sometimes, it’s really hard for some people to acknowledge the fact that Azpilicueta is a world class defender. Why? because he isn’t a very modern and flashy full back. The Spaniard just gets on with the game and does everything the manager asks him to do, without causing too much fuss or attention. The former Marseille man has been so good that £20m signing Filipe Luis has rarely made it to the first team.
Interceptions/game: 2.14
Tackles won/game: 3
Clearances/game: 5.14
John Terry:
Since the arrival of Jose Mourinho, Terry has found a new lease of life. The former England international was relegated to the bench by Rafael Benitez before making a strong comeback last season under Mourinho. In the heart of defence, Terry and Cahill formed a formidable partnership that resulted in Chelsea having the best defensive record last season. This season, Chelsea have the 2nd best defensive record so far, largely thanks to the their captain.
Interceptions/game: 0.86
Tackles won/game: 1.29
Clearances/game: 5.86
Jose Fonte:
With the departure of Dejan Lovren to Liverpool, a lot was expected of Fonte by manager Ronald Koeman (let’s not talk about the fans as they had pretty much given up all hope on Southampton) and the Portuguese has definitely lived up to it. Fonte isn’t the quickest defender, but his strength and reading of the game has made up for it so far. Southampton boast the best defensive record so far in the league thanks to Fonte’s leadership skills. About time he gets regular game time for Portugal!
Interceptions/game: 3
Tackles won/game: 1.43
Clearances/game: 4.86
Branislav Ivanovic:
The Serbian has been a model of consistency in the last few years and has proved his versatility at the same time. He probably had his best season at right back in the last campaign and has carried that form this year too. He has been a menace in the opposition penalty box so far after joining in attacks and has 2 goals to his name. Ivanovic hasn’t shied away from his defensive duties either, as indicated by the stats below.
Interceptions/game: 1.71
Tackles won/game: 2.57
Clearances/game: 4.86
Midfielders
Morgan Schneiderlin:
After an unsettled summer at the club, the main question being thrown at Schneiderlin was can he get his head right and help prevent a calamitous start for Southampton. The answer is pretty much in the league table! The Frenchman got his head right from the start, and a strong showing against the Liverpool midfield in the opening day was a sign of things to come. The presence of Wanyama has helped him too, but it would be wrong to take away the deserved credit from Schneiderlin, who has shown brilliant energy at the middle of the park.
Interceptions/game: 2
Pass completion: 88%
Cesc Fabregas:
Any team would be incomplete with a playmaker, and if you lack some one of Fabregas’ quality then your team is definitely incomplete! The former Arsenal man has returned to the Premier League and how! He has 7 assists in 7 games so far, and his partnership with Diego Costa looks like the one that could lead Chelsea to the title come May.
Assists: 7
Key passes: 7
Pass completion: 85%
Angel Di Maria:
Being the most expensive signing in the Premier League will have some amount of burden on your shoulders, but ask Di Maria that question and he wont know what you are talking about! The Argentine has been in mouthwatering form and has carried Manchester United single handedly at times. His pace, trickery, delivery have been immaculate so far. Such good is his form that even miss-hit shots turn into assists!
Goals: 3
Assists: 3
Key passes: 13
Gylfi Sigurdsson:
Sigurdsson’s return to Swansea has been a happy one so far as the Icelandic international has been at the heart of Swansea’s attack this season. The Welsh side find themselves 5th in the league largely due to the creativity and awareness of the 25-year old. He has the second highest number of assists, behind only to Fabregas.
Assists: 6
Key passes: 12
Pass completion: 84%
Forwards
Graziano Pellè:
From being an unknown material to possibly winning the best goal of the year award; there is only so much that one can achieve in a span of weeks! Graziano Pellè’s arrival at Southampton is exactly what the fans needed after the departure of key stalwarts is Adam lallana and Rickie Lambert. Pellè has surprised everyone with his pace, skills and finishing- probably the best at the moment after a certain Diego Costa!
Goals: 4
Diego Costa:
Costa’s arrival is already being termed as the ‘final piece of the jigsaw’ that Chelsea lacked last season. The Spanish international has it all – Pace, strength, trickery, and finishing! 9 goals in 7 appearances, need we say more?
Goals: 9
Stats via Whoscored