AS THE TITLE race heats up, we all know that the likes of Luis Suarez, Eden Hazard and Yaya Toure are going to have an impact on it, but what about those lesser lights at Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City?
We look at the water-carriers, the midfield sergeants and second-choice strikers whose position as understudy could yet see a promotion to club star.
Chelsea
Anthony Devlin / PA Archive/Press Association Images
Anthony Devlin / PA Archive/Press Association Images / PA Archive/Press Association Images
Nemanja Matic
Matic has been superb since making the move to Chelsea, putting in an average of three crucial tackles per game and the blues have kept five clean sheets in the nine games he has completed 90 minutes. If the Serbian continues to win possession without committing fouls as comfortably as he has been, Chelsea’s mean defence could hand them the title.
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Demba Ba
His two goals when only playing 14 minutes against Spurs shows just what the Senegalese forward is capable of when he gets his chance. It’s getting that chance that has proven to be the problem. However, games against Stoke and Swansea are exactly the fixtures where Chelsea could be crying out for a key 20 minute contribution from Ba.
Petr Cech
It might be a stretch to say he’s under-the-radar but Chelsea’s squad is so high-profile it’s difficult to pick a player that is. That said, Cech’s performances have gone almost unrecognised this year — in comparison to the likes of David de Gea who has saved Manchester United from an even worse season — despite keeping eight clean sheets in their 11 Premier League games in 2014.
Liverpool
Mike Egerton / EMPICS Sport
Mike Egerton / EMPICS Sport / EMPICS Sport
Jon Flanagan
The 21-year old has established himself as a key part of Liverpool’s title chase and has the ability to play either side as full back. While it’s not his bread and butter — indeed he has no assists to his name this season — an improvement in that part of his game could be the difference for the Anfield club.
Jordan Henderson
Henderson has been a revelation this season and has directly contributed to 10 goals for Liverpool, three himself and seven assists. While the 23-year has had some success down the right, he has been at his best when deployed in a centre midfield role. It is vital he plays to his best against Manchester City and Chelsea when they visit Anfield.
Raheem Sterling
Sterling’s biggest problem this season is the sheer variety of roles that Brendan Rodgers has asked him to play. Starting just 15 Premier League games, the 19-year old has appeared in no fewer than six different attacking positions and yet has still managed to contribute six goals and three assists. He’ll need to up that, however, in the remaining games.
Manchester City
Nigel French / EMPICS Sport
Nigel French / EMPICS Sport / EMPICS Sport
Edin Dzeko
If you look at Dzeko’s scoring stats this season, his goals have come in bursts, including a streak of seven in six games in all competitions between January 8 and 29. That he has scored three in his last two — including, of course, two in the Manchester derby — should signify what is to come. Arsenal and Southampton, watch out.
Fernandinho
With Yaya Toure getting most of the plaudits in the City midfield, it’s easy to forget about his Brazilian sidekick but the 28-year old’s work rate could be key, especially when trying to stem Liverpool’s attacking threat on April 13. Three goals and three assists in 25 league appearances is not to be sniffed at either but it’s stopping the goals where Fernandinho will prove his worth.
Martin Demichelis
The only player on our list who could conceivably cost his team the title, Demichelis has already cost City on a number of occasions this season and Manuel Pellegrini will have nightmares before the 33-year old faces Suarez and Sturridge. If he sticks by Demichelis, will City’s title bid be in trouble?
Who have we missed? Who do you think will prove an unexpected hero or villain in the the title run in. Let us know in the comments below.
Nine under-the-radar players who could have an impact on the Premier League title race
AS THE TITLE race heats up, we all know that the likes of Luis Suarez, Eden Hazard and Yaya Toure are going to have an impact on it, but what about those lesser lights at Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City?
We look at the water-carriers, the midfield sergeants and second-choice strikers whose position as understudy could yet see a promotion to club star.
Chelsea
Nemanja Matic
Matic has been superb since making the move to Chelsea, putting in an average of three crucial tackles per game and the blues have kept five clean sheets in the nine games he has completed 90 minutes. If the Serbian continues to win possession without committing fouls as comfortably as he has been, Chelsea’s mean defence could hand them the title.
Demba Ba
His two goals when only playing 14 minutes against Spurs shows just what the Senegalese forward is capable of when he gets his chance. It’s getting that chance that has proven to be the problem. However, games against Stoke and Swansea are exactly the fixtures where Chelsea could be crying out for a key 20 minute contribution from Ba.
Petr Cech
It might be a stretch to say he’s under-the-radar but Chelsea’s squad is so high-profile it’s difficult to pick a player that is. That said, Cech’s performances have gone almost unrecognised this year — in comparison to the likes of David de Gea who has saved Manchester United from an even worse season — despite keeping eight clean sheets in their 11 Premier League games in 2014.
Liverpool
Jon Flanagan
The 21-year old has established himself as a key part of Liverpool’s title chase and has the ability to play either side as full back. While it’s not his bread and butter — indeed he has no assists to his name this season — an improvement in that part of his game could be the difference for the Anfield club.
Jordan Henderson
Henderson has been a revelation this season and has directly contributed to 10 goals for Liverpool, three himself and seven assists. While the 23-year has had some success down the right, he has been at his best when deployed in a centre midfield role. It is vital he plays to his best against Manchester City and Chelsea when they visit Anfield.
Raheem Sterling
Sterling’s biggest problem this season is the sheer variety of roles that Brendan Rodgers has asked him to play. Starting just 15 Premier League games, the 19-year old has appeared in no fewer than six different attacking positions and yet has still managed to contribute six goals and three assists. He’ll need to up that, however, in the remaining games.
Manchester City
Edin Dzeko
If you look at Dzeko’s scoring stats this season, his goals have come in bursts, including a streak of seven in six games in all competitions between January 8 and 29. That he has scored three in his last two — including, of course, two in the Manchester derby — should signify what is to come. Arsenal and Southampton, watch out.
Fernandinho
With Yaya Toure getting most of the plaudits in the City midfield, it’s easy to forget about his Brazilian sidekick but the 28-year old’s work rate could be key, especially when trying to stem Liverpool’s attacking threat on April 13. Three goals and three assists in 25 league appearances is not to be sniffed at either but it’s stopping the goals where Fernandinho will prove his worth.
Martin Demichelis
The only player on our list who could conceivably cost his team the title, Demichelis has already cost City on a number of occasions this season and Manuel Pellegrini will have nightmares before the 33-year old faces Suarez and Sturridge. If he sticks by Demichelis, will City’s title bid be in trouble?
Who have we missed? Who do you think will prove an unexpected hero or villain in the the title run in. Let us know in the comments below.
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