Lifestyle -- 21 days ago
Words: Vincent Lim
The time has come once again. With the World Cup long gone and the Community Shield glimmering in the rear view mirror, the Premier League season is about to begin. We’ve found ourselves with several new additions to the league as well as players who have progressed in leaps and bounds, and they’re all looking to make some noise this year.
Alexis Sanchez
They didn’t think it would be possible, but Arsenal fans have been presented with this gifted Chilean winger, fresh from an impressive World Cup performance with his countrymen. Sanchez is a winger with speed, and it looks like he’ll be keeping the team’s resident Flash, Theo Walcott, out of the team, despite the latter’s insistence on being a centre forward. Apologies, Theo, you’re not. Having already shown us just how good he is by relentlessly terrorising Liverpool’s defence last weekend, the former Barcelona man looks like one of this season’s hottest prospects.
Romelu Lukaku
It’s sometimes easy to forget that Lukaku is only 21 years old. Just before being signed by Chelsea in 2011, he seemed more focused on his exams than anything else. Indeed, some might suggest his gargantuan £28 million price tag will be a weight too heavy for his young shoulders, but his performances in the past season suggest otherwise. A truly gifted player with an insatiable appetite for goals, scoring 16 whilst on loan last season, Lukaku will be out to prove that Jose Mourinho has made a terrible mistake in selling him to Everton.
Diego Costa
A shrewd signing from Mourinho, Diego Costa will be joining the Premier League after having just spearheaded Atlético Madrid’s disruption of Real Madrid and Barcelona’s lengthy dominance of La Liga. After his abysmal World Cup campaign with Spain this summer, Costa has silenced his would-be critics with a strong performance in pre-season, including an impressive brace in the first eight minutes of Chelsea’s win over Real Sociedad. Infamous for his tenacious style of play and anything goes attitude, he’ll no doubt be a controversial figure in the season to come.
Ander Herrera
The tale of Manchester United over the past few seasons has been one characterised by a need for a creative midfield player; it’s frankly becoming a bit tiresome. Yet, it would appear that new boss, Louis van Gaal, has secured just what United need, Herrera has been impressive in United’s successful preseason, demonstrating excellent vision and passing. Time will tell if he’s the real deal, but one thing’s for certain: he’s one to watch.
Raheem Sterling
It’s time for Liverpool’s tricky little winger to come of age. With notorious masticator, Luis Suarez, leaving the club, Brendan Rodgers will be calling upon a young name to be Liverpool’s saviour. A player with impressive pace, skill, and good judgment, Sterling is one of Liverpool and England’s very finest prospects. Having floated around the periphery of Rodger’s side until December of last year, Sterling has since produced some exceptional performances, and his manager has compared him to Lionel Messi. That’s an irresponsible stretch, but the kid’s certainly got heaps of potential. Let’s see if he fulfils it.
Vanishing spray
One of the most exciting parts of this World Cup, because let’s face it, the quality of football wasn’t great, FIFA’s vanishing spray is coming to the Premier League and Champions League this season. Having already made its debut at Wembley, with referee Michael Oliver humorously spraying Mikel Arteta’s boots, this new addition to the Barclays Premier League is no doubt going to be very entertaining. Perhaps the most anticipated of the lot.
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