1. Adel Taarabt- For Taarabt, this season is about redemption. After being hustled out of White Hart Lane and accused of arrogance and disrespect by virtually every manager he's worked under, this year is the one where he plans to put things right. Originally, he didn't want to do it in England though. Perhaps the money wasn't right, or Loftus Road was just too small a stage - whatever the reason, it looked as though a move to PSG was in the offing. I warned in one of my earlier pieces to avoid players emerging from sagas - Taarabt is the one exception. He is a player that could go horribly wrong or terrifically right, and the collapsed transfer to Ligue 1 doesn't change that. Young, talented, goal threat from midfield and available for 6.5 million, the Moroccan could be worth a punt. As newly promoted players go, he is fairly pricey, but a brilliant showing in the Championship last year proves he fully warrants the money. Enigmatic, unquestionably talented; Adel Taarabt, lets see what you can do...2. Scott Sinclair- When you've just scored a hat trick in a Wembley final, you don't need much of an endorsement. A former youth team player at Chelsea, Sinclair was a key part of Swansea's push into the top division last year, and at only six million, he promises a cheap, albeit risky, option in midfield. Much like Taarabt, Sinclair has yet to prove himself at the highest level; filled with raw, untested potential he could be star or a flop. Even if his performances don't reach the heady heights expected though, his penalty taking responsibilities will act as a safety net for managers willing to take a risk - two conversions in the playoff final helped Swansea to promotion, and it is unlikely that the penalty taking responsibilities will fall to anyone else.
3. Jay Bothroyd- One of two players on the list with an England cap to their name, Jay Bothroyd has taken the Championship by storm over the last couple of seasons. Unable to gain promotion with Cardiff though, Bothroyd chose to walk away from the Welsh side this summer. QPR was his eventual destination, and the former Arsenal youth player will relish the opportunity of a crack at the Premiership. More cosmopolitan than most British strikers, Bothroyd has already played in a top European league, performing admirably in Serie A while at Perugia. Like most on this list, Bothroyd is available for a knock down price, and if picked by Neil Warnock, is more than likely to find the net.
4. Kieran Dyer- It's safe to say that Dyer's stay at West Ham couldn't have been much worse for all involved. Plagued by injuries, the one time England international was unable to make his mark at Upton Park, as the Hammers plummeted into the Championship. However, initially signed as Taarabt's replacement, Dyer has found a root back into top level football with Queens Park Rangers. At a startlingly low 4.5 million, Dyer is an obvious choice in midfield, even if only to make up the numbers. Assuming he has finally shaken off persistent injuries, Dyer will guarantee goals and assists in abundance next season - though then again, the injuries are a worry.
5. Anthony Pilkington- By far the least well known of the players featured, Anthony Pilkington is a winger who has impressed me for a very long time. While at Huddersfield last season, he put on quite a show against Arsenal at The Emirates, bamboozling their defenders all day long in what proved to be a very uncomfortable match for the below par Gunners. However, next year is set to be his first in the Premier League, so a place in the starting line-up might be a little too risky, however, at only 4.5 million he deserves a shot at the bench.
No comments:
Post a Comment