http://www.skysports.com/interactive/top_tens_story/0,25722,12193_7009885,00.html
Those who can't be arsed to open it.
10) Samir Nasri
Following his arrival in England in the
summer of 2008, it was almost impossible to see why Arsenal decided to
pay Marseille £15.8million. But the tricky French playmaker has proved
that, despite his critics, Arsene Wenger remains a shrewd judge of
talent. Nasri was a huge disappointment in his debut campaign, but began
to show flashes of his undoubted ability in 2009/10. And then, last
season, it was only frustrating injuries which prevented the France
international from adding to his 15 goals and creative vision.
9) Clint Dempsey
Almost unique on this list (although an argument could be made for No.5) in
that Dempsey has not won over the fans this season or dramatically
changed perceptions. Instead, he has simply elevated a Fulham career
that was in danger of becoming stagnant. Dempsey scored 12 Premier
League goals last term, five more than ever before, and the same amount
as Didier Drogba (and more than Wayne Rooney). At £1.5million, the
28-year-old is one of the greatest Premier League bargains.
Daniel Sturridge
Mr.
Sturridge has finally decided on a forename that allows him to be
successful. Started with Danny at Manchester City (promising), before
choosing Daniel at Chelsea (underused). This season, on loan at Bolton,
Dan has showed the qualities that many scouts expected. Lightning quick
with a desire to shoot on sight, Fernando Torres will have Dean's nephew
breathing down his neck. He scored eight goals in 12 games at the
Reebok Stadium and yet only has one Premier League goal for Chelsea.
7) Christopher Samba
Let's be honest, Blackburn centre-backs have never been the most glamorous of
accessories. But last season Samba, alongside new Manchester United
signing Phil Jones, emerged as one of the most dependable defenders in
the business. Such was Samba's power, organisation and communications
skills, he remains a transfer target for Arsenal.
6) Stuart Holden
The midfielder more than deserves his place on our list. Having started
just one Premier League game in 2009/10 after arriving in January, the
American international responded to a full pre-season with excellent
performances last term. While he would probably have added to his goal
tally (two all season) were it not for serious injury, the Aberdeen born
player displayed much needed quality in a Bolton side crying out for a
creative spark.
5) Leighton Baines
Baines is not yet established as an international class full-back, but his cameo for
England against the Switzerland in June indicates reasons for optimism.
Ashley Cole is now the wrong side of 30, and the Everton defender has
the necessaries to become a successor. Baines appeared in every minute
of the Premier League season, and was the winner of the Player of the
Season, Player's Player and Goal of the Season at Goodison Park. Mark
the season down as 'job well done'.
4) Lucas Leiva
Lucas was almost seen as a joke figure for several seasons, challenging
Michael Carrick for the most ineffective and insubstantial international
midfielder. But the Brazilian has inherited his country's No.5 shirt on
the back of two dependable campaigns for Liverpool. It was supposed
that he would drift back to Brazil and be forgotten. But the change has
been impressive, as last season Lucas made more tackles than anyone else
in the Premier League and was named Liverpool's Player of the Season by
fans.
3) Gareth Bale
There is a need to avoid being swept along by the hype. He has not been world-beating and he is
not the new anyone. He has improved. A lot. Seven Premier League goals
and, lest we forget, the PFA Player of the Year. Bale's greatest
performances came in the Tottenham's enjoyable UEFA Champions League
campaign, but he has still emerged from the Premier League shadows.
2) Nani
In any other season, Nani would have topped the pile. An improvement of
more than 100 per cent on his previous goalscoring contributions was
almost overshadowed by his phenomenal record of 18 assists. Say it
quietly, but is the little man maturing? The signing of Ashley Young may
mean that Nani is ultimately forced out of Manchester United, but at
least he would now leave on a high.
1) Ali Al-Habsi
In truth, the name around which the list was formed. In 2009/10, the Omani
goalkeeper played two games for Bolton all season, a 4-0 Carling Cup
defeat to Chelsea and an FA Cup victory over Lincoln. Between May 2008
and August 2010 he had not played a minute of Premier League football.
When Roberto Martinez offered him a season-long loan, it was a
masterstroke. While not single-handedly keeping Wigan in the Premier
League, they would almost certainly have been relegated without him, and
he was voted Player of the Season by the supporters. The likelihood is
that Wigan will have to pay Bolton £5million for his services.
Those who can't be arsed to open it.
10) Samir Nasri
Following his arrival in England in the
summer of 2008, it was almost impossible to see why Arsenal decided to
pay Marseille £15.8million. But the tricky French playmaker has proved
that, despite his critics, Arsene Wenger remains a shrewd judge of
talent. Nasri was a huge disappointment in his debut campaign, but began
to show flashes of his undoubted ability in 2009/10. And then, last
season, it was only frustrating injuries which prevented the France
international from adding to his 15 goals and creative vision.
9) Clint Dempsey
Almost unique on this list (although an argument could be made for No.5) in
that Dempsey has not won over the fans this season or dramatically
changed perceptions. Instead, he has simply elevated a Fulham career
that was in danger of becoming stagnant. Dempsey scored 12 Premier
League goals last term, five more than ever before, and the same amount
as Didier Drogba (and more than Wayne Rooney). At £1.5million, the
28-year-old is one of the greatest Premier League bargains.
Daniel SturridgeMr.
Sturridge has finally decided on a forename that allows him to be
successful. Started with Danny at Manchester City (promising), before
choosing Daniel at Chelsea (underused). This season, on loan at Bolton,
Dan has showed the qualities that many scouts expected. Lightning quick
with a desire to shoot on sight, Fernando Torres will have Dean's nephew
breathing down his neck. He scored eight goals in 12 games at the
Reebok Stadium and yet only has one Premier League goal for Chelsea.
7) Christopher Samba
Let's be honest, Blackburn centre-backs have never been the most glamorous of
accessories. But last season Samba, alongside new Manchester United
signing Phil Jones, emerged as one of the most dependable defenders in
the business. Such was Samba's power, organisation and communications
skills, he remains a transfer target for Arsenal.
6) Stuart Holden
The midfielder more than deserves his place on our list. Having started
just one Premier League game in 2009/10 after arriving in January, the
American international responded to a full pre-season with excellent
performances last term. While he would probably have added to his goal
tally (two all season) were it not for serious injury, the Aberdeen born
player displayed much needed quality in a Bolton side crying out for a
creative spark.
5) Leighton Baines
Baines is not yet established as an international class full-back, but his cameo for
England against the Switzerland in June indicates reasons for optimism.
Ashley Cole is now the wrong side of 30, and the Everton defender has
the necessaries to become a successor. Baines appeared in every minute
of the Premier League season, and was the winner of the Player of the
Season, Player's Player and Goal of the Season at Goodison Park. Mark
the season down as 'job well done'.
4) Lucas Leiva
Lucas was almost seen as a joke figure for several seasons, challenging
Michael Carrick for the most ineffective and insubstantial international
midfielder. But the Brazilian has inherited his country's No.5 shirt on
the back of two dependable campaigns for Liverpool. It was supposed
that he would drift back to Brazil and be forgotten. But the change has
been impressive, as last season Lucas made more tackles than anyone else
in the Premier League and was named Liverpool's Player of the Season by
fans.
3) Gareth Bale
There is a need to avoid being swept along by the hype. He has not been world-beating and he is
not the new anyone. He has improved. A lot. Seven Premier League goals
and, lest we forget, the PFA Player of the Year. Bale's greatest
performances came in the Tottenham's enjoyable UEFA Champions League
campaign, but he has still emerged from the Premier League shadows.
2) Nani
In any other season, Nani would have topped the pile. An improvement of
more than 100 per cent on his previous goalscoring contributions was
almost overshadowed by his phenomenal record of 18 assists. Say it
quietly, but is the little man maturing? The signing of Ashley Young may
mean that Nani is ultimately forced out of Manchester United, but at
least he would now leave on a high.
1) Ali Al-Habsi
In truth, the name around which the list was formed. In 2009/10, the Omani
goalkeeper played two games for Bolton all season, a 4-0 Carling Cup
defeat to Chelsea and an FA Cup victory over Lincoln. Between May 2008
and August 2010 he had not played a minute of Premier League football.
When Roberto Martinez offered him a season-long loan, it was a
masterstroke. While not single-handedly keeping Wigan in the Premier
League, they would almost certainly have been relegated without him, and
he was voted Player of the Season by the supporters. The likelihood is
that Wigan will have to pay Bolton £5million for his services.
Last edited by crump on Thu Jun 30, 2011 9:42 am; edited 2 times in total
Just goes to show how underrated he really was.
