Who Are the Pivotal Players in the Premier League?

Is there any reason why Manchester United and Arsenal are stuttering into the new season, while Liverpool and Chelsea are sitting at the top?

Well I can pinpoint at least one reason—for the first two games, Manchester United and Arsenal were both without their lynch pins, Cristiano Ronaldo and Cesc Fabregas respectively, while Liverpool and Chelsea have Steven Gerrard and John Terry fit and leading their teams to the top of the Premiership.

Of course, it wouldn’t be fair to put the wins on Gerrard and Terry, and nor should we blame poor results on the absence of Ronaldo and Fabregas. Teamwork is definitely important. Yet we cannot deny the fact every team has its own lynch pin—that one player who has exerted the most influence and been the most consistent player throughout all the club’s games.

In my humble opinion, we can measure the extent of influence of that player by observing the results of the club in the player’s absence, which is what I have attempted to illustrate above.

With this as a measurement parameter, (in my opinion) some nominees are already obvious—Steven Gerrard for Liverpool, and Cristiano Ronaldo for Manchester United.

Who, then, are the stars for the rest of the clubs?

I have compiled this list based on players still remaining at the club as at the start of the 2008/2009 Barclays Premier League Season. I dare not say I did a great job—I left out newly promoted clubs Hull, Stoke, and West Brom, but I definitely put in a lot of effort to compile this.

In no order of merit…

Arsenal
Pivotal Player: Cesc Fábregas

Arsenal’s midfield dynamo with seven goals and 20 assists is the obvious choice. Fabregas’ creativity was sorely lacking in the Gunners' first two games of the season. When he came back for the Newcastle game, Arsenal won 3-0. It is anyone’s guess why he was only used as a substitute for Spain’s European 2008 Championship!

Notable Mention: Emmanuel Adebayor

Aston Villa
Pivotal Player: Gareth Barry

There is a reason why Rafael Benitez made the Aston Villa captain his top transfer target. His statistics are not astronomical, just nine goals and 10 assists. His ability to score, assist, and a tireless work ethic to provide cover for the back four made him the outstanding player for Villa.

Notable Mention: Ashley Young

Blackburn
Pivotal Player: Roque Santa Cruz

Frankly my first choice was Brad Friedel, but he has moved on to Aston Villa. In his first season with Rovers, Roque Santa Cruz displayed an uncanny ability to be at the right place at the right time. The Paraguayan finished the season as the club’s top scorer, with 19 goals. The £3.5m that Blackburn paid for Santa Cruz now seems like a bargain!

Notable Mention: Morgan Gamst Pedersen

Bolton

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