ONE PLAYER TO WATCH FROM EVERY PREMIER LEAGUE CLUB THIS 2021/22 SEASON
The Premier League season has already kicked off and we’ve seen the first game from each team. Today I’ve decided to choose 1 player to watch from each team and explain why.
ARSENAL — Bukayo Saka
He’s definitely the one to watch this season for Arsenal. He’s only 19 and he was being moved about last season so he couldn’t fully settle in. He needs to choose a position and finally I think he’ll make his decision this season. Saka had to play left back, left wing back but when he played right wing, he played very well. In 15 appearances at the right wing spot, he got 4 goals and 2 assists and if he gets a full season on the right flank then he will excel.
ASTON VILLA — Emiliano Buendia
This guy is a very good player and his stats from last season back that up, 15 goals and 16 assists. If we take a look at another stat which is big chances created, he created 18 last year. One caveat is the fact that he plays for Norwich, a very attacking team but they could only play that way because of his creativity. Do not turn your eye at him and I think he’ll be the player of the season for Villa this year.
BRENTFORD — Ivan Toney
An obvious one but he is undoubtedly the one to watch. His movement in the box is very very good and that’s evident because all of his goals last season were scored in the box. If Toney does well, that means that Brentford are playing well because they are creating the chances for him to score.
BRIGHTON — Enock Mwepu
A lot of you may not have heard of this player be he performed quite well for last season. He played for RB Salzburg and he’ll be a great partner next to Bissouma. He’s a box to box midfielder but can also play that holding role. He could fill that Aaron Mooy gap who left the club last year so I do feel Mwepu will have a good first season.
BURNLEY — Nathan Collins
The reason he is the one to watch because I think he is perfectly suited for the Burnley team. He’s a great option because he can also play right back as well as centre back. His 1 on 1 defending last season was impressive and his successful duel percentage was 63% and of course he’s still only 20 years old so he can still improve.
CHELSEA — Christian Pulisic
I feel that this is a make or break season for him. We all know that there is an unreal player there but a lack of consistent playing time mixed with injuries means that he hasn’t excelled for Chelsea like we expected him to. He was averaging 64 mins per game last season and his stats were poor. 4 goals and 2 assists isn’t that good, especially playing for Chelsea. It really is now or never for Pulisic.
CRYSTAL PALACE — Michael Olise
This deal is amazing from a Crystal Palace perspective. £8.37m release clause was activated and this is a player who got 12 assists this year. For a 19 year old, he’s a silky baller and exactly what Palace needs. Despite him being so young, there is a lot of pressure on him to create and I feel he’ll be up for the challenge.
EVERTON — Jean Philippe Gbamin
His Everton career has been plagued with injuries but under Rafa Benitez, he could be rejuvenated. For his previous club, Mainz, he was a holding midfielder and didn’t really roam much but under Rafa, he could make him a box to box and let him carry the ball which is something Everton lack and that’s why I think he could be so key this season.
LEEDS — Jack Harrison
Harrison went under the radar last season because of Bamford and Raphinha but 8 goals and 8 assists is a very decent season. His move also became permanent this season and because of this, I think he’ll push his ceiling and achieve much more.
LEICESTER — Patson Daka
A very exciting striker. 27 goals in 21 games is very good but you do have to take it with a pinch of salt as it is the Austrian league. Another thing is that he did also miss 23 big chances. There is a good player in him and I think he’ll be a bit like Iheanacho in that it’ll take him a season or two to fully adjust but then he’ll become a monster.
LIVERPOOL — Diogo Jota
People may not expect this but hear me out and I’ll give my reasoning. He may have to be the main goal threat for Liverpool and it’s because of one reason. The African Cup of Nations. It starts on the 9th of January and ends on the 6th of February. Both Mane and Salah have qualified with their respective nations and it looks incredibly likely that they will go. Jota will have to step up in their absence and I think it’s key they try to keep the Portuguese winger fit.
MANCHESTER CITY — Jack Grealish
I didn’t pick him because of the high fee but because of the role he will play. According to multiple reports, he’ll apparently be a free 8 like De Bruyne is or how David Silva was utilised. I do think though that teams will target him defensively and test whether he’s switched on and can he make those tackles that they’ll need.
MANCHESTER UNITED — Mason Greenwood
The purchase of Sancho means that Greenwood can finally play striker, his preferred position. He scored 7 goals in 21 starts from right wing which shows that he gets in the right positions. He will still develop and grow and can also still be an option off the right but he prefers the striker position and I think he’ll soon become the main striker for Man United.
NEWCASTLE — Allan Saint Maximin
This player is an elite dribbler. 8.54 progressive carries per 90 and 4.79 dribbles completed per 90. These are elite numbers but if we take a closer look, these are quite far from the box and they are very deep. He needs to get closer to goal but can he do while playing for Newcastle? If he can do this, then he will achieve some amazing numbers.
NORWICH — Todd Cantwell
He really has to step up for Norwich this year. The comparison between Cantwell and Grealish has always been there and there is a discussion to be had on how similar they are but one thing about Grealish is that last year when Villa needed him, Grealish stepped up and became the main man. Cantwell has to do this if he wants to make the jump to become a class player.
SOUTHAMPTON — Kyle Walker-Peters
He’s really grown since joining Southampton and will continue to do so. Last season his defensive contributions and his attacking contributions are also slowly rising up as well. His pressing numbers are also quite good and he’s quietly turning into an all-rounded right back.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR — Ryan Sessegnon
I think under Nuno, Sessegnon could develop nicely. He was on loan last year to Hoffenheim and there were some flashes but nothing too crazy in terms of performances. Some people still don’t know his position and say he’s a left wing back or left bald when in fact he’s a left midfielder or left winger and he prefers to attack space rather than dribble, like a traditional winger.
WATFORD — Francisco Sierralta
Key in the best Championship defence last year and potentially maybe in Championship history. He’s very physical and that’s evident in his aerial duels, winning 73%. This means that he could also score some goals at the other end so don’t be surprised if he bags a few himself.
WEST HAM — Said Benrahma
This year I think there’ll be a role change for him. Lingard has vacated that central role, the no.10 and he’ll slot right in. He’s had a very good preseason and if West Ham do give him that freedom then he will do very well for them this season.
WOLVES — Francisco Trincao
A generational talent. Didn’t get a lot of minutes late year playing for Barcelona but that’s not too much of an issue as he did still manage to amass 3 goals and 2 assists. His linkup with Jimenez has been good and when Neto comes back, that front 3 will be lethal on the counter.
And there you have it. One player to watch from every club in the Premier League. Do let me know if you disagree with any and who you would pick instead.