The 10 Most Exciting Players in the Premier League This Season

The Premier League is undoubtedly one of the two best leagues in the world, with only Spain's La Liga as a rival. With all the money and investment the Premier League has attracted, most teams have star players from all over the world.

There are players that deservedly attract more attention with their style of play than others. Just because you are a great player, it doesn't mean that fans will flock to your matches or make glorious YouTube highlight videos of your play.

With that in mind, here are the 10 most exciting (not necessarily the best) players in the Premier League.

10) Peter Crouch, Stoke City

There's nothing more exciting in the Premier League than the anticipation of Rory Delap launching a 40-yard heave of a throw-in into the box for Peter Crouch to get his head on.

OK, not really. But Crouch isn't the one-dimensional player you might expect someone of his 6'7" frame to be. Crouch is really quite skilled in his ball skills with his feet and in controlling the ball with his body.

Crouch tallied 14 goals and three assists for Stoke City last season. And his goals are often spectacular, such as his goal against Manchester City which he brought down with his chest, controlled with a juggling tap with the inside of his right foot, then volleyed a shot from 25 yards out over a helpless Joe Hart to the far post. 

If you're really lucky, you'll get a super-awkward celebration like his infamous robot dance afterward.

9) Clint Dempsey, Fulham

The starting point of an attack from Clint Dempsey may never be a certain fixed point, but the end point, more often than not, is the ball placed firmly in the back of the net.

Dempsey can play center or outside midfield as well as striker. His storming runs and high-tempo work rate that Americans can be famous for make him a threat any time he crosses the midfield line. Dempsey racked up 23 goals and six assists last season, which has made him a prime target in the transfer market for Liverpool.

Dempsey will also get stuck in on defense, something most offensive players are loathe to do. Dempsey has ranked in the top two in tackling among forwards in the Premier League the past three seasons.

To find Dempsey on the pitch, just look for the ball. Dempsey won't be far from it.

8) Ashley Young, Manchester United

Ashley Young does have one fault with his game. He seems to lose his balance and fall an awful lot when he enters the penalty area.

If you can look past that, you'll enjoy his ability to flash down the wing and make things happen. His stats from last season, eight goals and eight assists prove that he is equally adept crossing the ball to open teammates or cutting inside and finishing the run himself with curling efforts.

Sadly, we didn't see as much of Mr. Young as we should have last season, as various injuries kept him off the pitch for several weeks. Young, who only weighs 130 pounds or so, missed 13 Premier League games last season.

Both Manchester United fans and neutrals alike should hope Young stays healthy this season so his flair will be on display more often.

7) Luka Modric, Tottenham

Sadly, we may have seen the last of Luka Modric's talents in the Premier League. Modric seems determined to move to Real Madrid, even though he has four years remaining on his current contract.

If he does move, fans will miss Modric's silky passing skills and through balls. When the defense lays back, Modric can unleash bolts from long range that often find the corners of the net.

With the skills displayed in this YouTube video, it is no wonder why Tottenham are desperate to hold onto Modric, even with a 40-million-pound offer on the table.

6) Luis Suarez, Liverpool

If this was a list of the most likable players in the Premier League, Luis Suarez probably wouldn't make the Top 400. Something about a history of using racial slurs, committing infamous hand balls and even biting an opponent.

But you can't fault his determination and eye for goal. His audacious lob from near midfield against Norwich City will definitely be remembered as one of the best goals of last season.

Suarez's 17 goals and eight assists last season for Liverpool, despite the eight-game suspension for racial abuse, show why Liverpool have to take the good with the bad.

And besides, doesn't a little bit of unpredictability add to the excitement?

5) Wayne Rooney, Manchester United

I can already feel the backlash coming for having Wayne Rooney ranked this low on the list, so hear me out.

Mr. Rooney is a tremendous player. You don't score 34 goals in a season like he did in all competitions in 2011-12 if you aren't. His bicycle kick against Manchester City in 2010 was named the best goal in the 20-year history of the Premier League.

But because he is so good, plays by average players that seem exciting, Rooney makes look routine. Watch this YouTube video of his 2012 highlights. There's a lot of good, solid stuff in there. But there aren't a ton of "wow" moments. Rooney just kills you with technique and hard work.

That being said, if Rooney's in town, you should definitely buy a ticket and enjoy the show.

4) Papiss Cisse, Newcastle

If you are going to wear the No. 9 shirt at Newcastle, you better have the game to back it up.

In his short time in Newcastle, Papiss Cisse has proven that he does have the game to fill the shirt worn by Alan Shearer. Since transferring to Newcastle from Freiburg in Germany, all Cisse has done is score 13 goals in 14 appearances with the club.

If you didn't know Cisse from his torrid goal scoring rate, you should know him from this wonder strike volley with the outside of his right foot against Chelsea. The strike left Didier Drogba shaking his head and Petr Cech flailing about more than usual.

Of course, such skill and flair haven't gone unnoticed. Both Manchester City and Manchester United were interested in trying to deal for Cisse before he committed his future to Newcastle. It will be a treat to see what Cisse can pull off in his first full Premier League campaign.

3) Gareth Bale, Tottenham

There's not much Gareth Bale can't do on the pitch.

You want pacey runs down the sideline? Bale can do that. Need a pinpoint cross delivered to forwards crashing the goal? Bale's 14 assists prove that he can do that. Want a Beckham-like bending free kick into the back of the net. Bale has that department covered too.

Bale won the PFA Player of the Year award in 2010-11 despite Tottenham finishing only fifth in the table. Inter Milan surely still has nightmares from his performances against them in the Champions League, where he scored a hat trick at the San Siro (while Tottenham were down to 10 men), then picked up two assists in the return leg at White Hart Lane.

Bale has been around so long that you forget that he just turned 23 and should have been playing on Team GB in the Olympics. If he has the longevity of fellow Welshman Ryan Giggs, we should be enjoying Bale's play for another 15 years.

2) Sergio Aguero, Manchester City

Sergio Aguero's moment of glory in the 94th minute against Queens Park Rangers alone should get him on this list.

But taking just that moment overshadows the tremendous debut season Aguero had in the Premier League. Aguero proved his worth by scoring 30 goals in all competitions for Manchester City. Many of the goals were of spectacular fashion. His ball control in tight spaces and accuracy on his shots make him a threat anywhere near the penalty area.

The biggest threats to stopping Aguero's spectacular play may not be Manchester City's opponents, but Roberto Mancini and the strikers on Manchester City's bench.

It's hard to keep Mario Balotelli, Edin Dzeko, and Carlos Tevez all happy with enough minutes, not to mention Emmanuel Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz, who were out on loan last season. To keep his spot, Aguero will have to continue his fine play.

1) Robin van Persie, Arsenal

Robin van Persie is everything that you can ask for: skillful, precise and full of flair. 

Van Persie fully deserved his PFA Player of the Year and Golden Boot awards. Not only did he score 36 goals, but he added nine assists as well over all competitions.

If you need more convincing, just watch this video.

It would be a great shame to the Premier League, not just Arsenal, if van Persie leaves England for Juventus, as is the current rumor according to The Mirror.