Heroic footballers enter the pitch, score a few goals, become sponsored by sports companies willing to shell out mega bucks, and then retire. Well, at least that’s often the general gist of what’s entailed when becoming a most sought after player. The Premier League is no stranger to witnessing such events, and talent flurries in and out season by season. Already the division has unravelled as something mighty extraordinary, not least in terms of wowing and/or slightly balmy transfers, but the level of goal scoring ability is rocketing to new dimensions. Hold on to your hats, because there’s so much more to come, but here are some of the most functional, innovative players to grace the field thus far, and an in-depth look at their Premier League impact.
Gameweek 1
Branislav Ivanović (Chelsea)
Firstly, I should state that the Serbian is a defender, therefore, any goals scored are bonkers and an absolute bonus for his team. This man was my initial Fantasy Football transfer following his unexpected success against Burnley. His goal secured Chelsea their third and final on the night, and has since been a formidable opponent for any side to face. Latterly, his 3rd-minute strike in the back of Everton’s net during Gameweek 3 ensured Chelsea’s impressive 6-3 victory. Ivanović is certainly a player to keep the eyes poised on (not to mention he’ll earn you a few points).
Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool)
I’ve never been a fan of fast food, and so I find his Subway commercial extra distasteful (in every way) and his voice has echoed around my head when I have watched a game thereafter. Despite that advert irking me somewhat, I’ve found Sturridge’s playmaking exceptional of late. I was certainly sceptical, as I often am, during the World Cup bid, but even there he performed fairly well. His bounding energy and extremely noble, humble innings give him the qualities of a persistent hard worker. Although I was obviously rooting for Southampton, his goal against my home team was shattering and sublime. Sturridge’s execution should be rewarded, but let’s hope Mario Balotelli doesn’t steal too much of his thunder…
Gameweek 2
Dušan Tadić (Southampton)
Another sensational Serbian winning me a wealth of Fantasy points is Saints’ awesome new signing, Tadić. Good looks aside, I’ve been monitoring his creativity on the ball and I’m finding rare fault. His tenacity is commendable and his through-balls are bestowing opportunity after opportunity upon his teammates upfront. Despite Southampton’s nil-nil draw against West Brom, this number 11 is forever crafty; this was also obvious in Gameweek 1 against Liverpool. I’m thoroughly excited to see how far Tadić can run with my team, and feel confident that he was positively a bargain given how he has already shone (week 3 offered much the same action from the man).
Steven Naismith (Everton)
The Scotsman has constantly been on the prowl for his club since the dawn of the season, and as weeks pass, he seems stronger attacking the goal. His midfield position allows him to trail throughout the middle, but sneak upon the opposing keeper. Week 2 was no different, and his fabulous skills were yet again on show in the week gone by. His 45th-minute strike cleared Everton another point, and aided their 2-2 draw against Arsenal. Without that stunning shot, the men in blue would have forfeited any chance of an equaliser. (His goal against Chelsea in week 3 helped Everton look slightly less humiliated).
Gameweek 3
(There were many captivating players on the ball this week).
Diego Costa (Chelsea)
Can this man do no wrong? He perhaps has to be one of the most intelligent signings during this summer’s transfers, and all the way from the prodigious Atlético Madrid, he has a breadth of experience to impart on his fellow teammates. Chelsea is utterly streets ahead of most teams in the Premier League currently, and it seemed many people thought Didier Drogba was set to be the saviour once again, but I would beg to differ; Costa is it. Despite a huge amount of denied chances for the Spaniard, Costa opened and closed the match in style; his first goal hit in the first minute, whilst his second slammed in behind defenceless Tim Howard in the 90th. What a stellar player, and the first two weeks hammered with much the same force (week 1: once against Burley; week 2: once against Leicester City).
Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton)
The Frenchman is of inordinate worth to Saints; last season he managed to mesh midfield and attack together, and seems to be giving the same attention to both again. After the departure of fellow budding footballers, including Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert, Schneiderlin might have felt like a fish out of water. However, he is asserting phenomenal focus and determination on the ball, and slots in oh so nicely with Dušan Tadić and the dashing Graziano Pellè. I have no interest in Sam Allardyce throwing his weight around, despite the referee making a poor corner decision (it clearly should have been a goal kick); Saints would have won anyway, Schneiderlin’s two goals just squared that, on top of Pellè’s ace shot.
Nathan Dyer (Swansea City)
The 26-year-old winger and ex-Southampton player seems something of a rising star, and Swansea is a cracking team to be part of. I can’t begin to express how impressive they were against West Brom, and Wayne Routledge was another to constantly pique my interest. However, it was Dyer who really bubbled to the surface; I should imagine his two goals had something to do with that. I feel it was also his sheer effort on the ball that alerted my attention quite so much; within 2 minutes of the match, he had scored, which shows expert skill and undivided mental mapping when scanning the pitch for a route to the goal. Excellent. (He was also the one to give Swansea their win over Burnley).
Rolando Aarons (Newcastle)
At the tender age of 18, Aarons is already exerting enough energy to make it very far in the game. He harbours the sort of raw drive that England will seek to nurture and bring forward in future international tournaments, but for now, his skillset is most certainly required at Newcastle. Taking Yoan Gouffran off was a rather wise calculation from Alan Pardew, as his 73rd-minute strike saw him net something wonderful. After this, he had several attempts which unfortunately didn’t bring him the results he had yearned for, though I think we’ll be seeing a few more tricks from this youngster.
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