Premier League's Most Valuable Players, Part 2
They lead from the front,are highly talented and the team is a completely different side when they are on the pitch.Every team has one.A player who can turn the game on its head, a player who can guide the team when the going is tough, a leader.Many times they have the hopes, aspirations and expectations of the fans resting on their shoulder.Whether they are a defender,midfielder or a forward they have the ability to come good in tough situations, to weather the storm which is what has endeared them to the fans so very much.Here is a list of one such player from the remaining teams.
Here's a link to the first part of the article featuring the most valuable player of the other 10 teams
Aston Villa: Ashley Young
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One of the best wingers in the Premier League, Ashley Young has been reveling in his new role as the second striker. Switching from wing to wing Young has been impressive this season.
He has managed to score 3 and has assisted in 7 goals. His biggest assets are his pace which he uses to good effect. He also loves to take on defenders and despite struggling in his new position at the start of the season, he has slowly started to impress and deliver the goods. In a team full of youngsters, Young provides some much needed experience and his versatility is a big asset to his team.
Aston Villa are currently struggling at thirteenth in the table but if Young can get back to his best, Aston Villa can still manage a top seven finish.
Sunderland: Darren Bent
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After orchestrating a move to Sunderland last year from Tottenham, Bent has established himself as one of the Premier League's best strikers. His England call up is just testimony to his growing reputation as one of the League's most consistent strikers.
Scoring 24 of Sunderland's forty eight league goals, Bent has continued from were he left off last season scoring eight goals in his first 11 games. Despite the signing of Gyan, Bent continues to remain Sunderland's most potent attacking force and is the fulcrum of Sunderland's attack.
His knack of scoring goals at big games and at crucial stages makes him indispensable and his experience at the top level makes him key to Sunderland's fortunes.
Fulham: Brede Hangeland
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The towering Norwegian centre back has been one of the Premier League's better defenders over the course of the last couple of seasons.
Courted by many top European clubs, Hangeland was instrumental in Fulham's run to the Europa League finals last season. A towering figure, Hangeland is a potent threat from set pieces and is aerial ability is vital in defense as well as when going forward. Hangeland's height neutralises the aerial threat for Fulham and is an extremely capable defender.
Hangeland's form will be crucial if Fulham are to have another great season.
Newcastle: Andy Carroll
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Newcastle's new no 9 may have huge shoes to fill, but he is surely living up to all the hopes and expectations.
Carroll has proved that all the hype and talk about him was justified bagging eight goals from 15 appearances. One of the best headers of the ball in the League, Carroll has been terrifying defenders with his physical presence and movement. Carroll also holds up the ball extremely well giving his teammates an opportunity to get involved and brings the entire team into the game and possess a thunderous shot.
The classic centre forward, Carroll has been an absolute revelation this season and is great form is one reason that Newcastle is finding itself in the top half of the table. If Carroll can continue his blistering form, Newcastle can even contend for a Europa League spot and he will be soon leaving a legacy of his own.
Wolves: Matt Jarvis
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Widely considered one of the best players yet to receive an English call up, Jarvis is by far Wolves's most talented and exciting players.
Playing in the wings, Jarvis has been tormenting defenders with his pace, movement and crossing. Jarvis possesses a wonderful delivery into the box and has found the net twice this season. An extremely dynamic presence down the left, Jarvis has been dazzling fans for the paast couple of years. One of the major shortcomings of this Wolves side is that they struggle to find goals and Jarvis will be essential for them if they are to improve in this area.
His crosses and balls into the box have to be utilised to their fullest if Wolves are to start scoring a few more. Jarvis's form will be critical to the survival of Wolves.
West Bromwich Albion: Peter Odemwingie
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Signed from Lokomotiv Moscow in the summer, Odemwingie has already impressed in his short stay.
Playing down the wings, Odemwingie was in impervious form during West Brom's impressive run that saw them occupy a sixth place position. Odemwingie brings along with some experience after playing at the top level in France and Russia and this will prove to be vital for West Brom this season. Scoring 4 goals including one against Arsenal and has proven to be a dynamic force down the flanks.
If Odemwingie can continue to score and create goals, West Brom will have a season to remember.
Blackburn Rovers: Christopher Samba
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Often considered rash, over-aggressive, Christopher Samba has been heavily criticised for being too physical. But the fact is over the past three seasons, he has picked up only 3 red card.
There is no denying the fact that Samba uses his physical strength to full advantage while defending and even while going forward. Strong in the air and with possessing good movement and reading of the game, Samba is the one of the Premier League's most underrated defenders. His no-nonsense defending may not be particularly eye catching but he gets the job done. Blackburn are a team that depends on set pieces and long balls for their goals and Samba's physical presence and heading is key to them while attacking and can play the part as a battering ram.
Samba's performances will be essential if Blackburn are to achieve success under new owners.
Birmingham: Roger Johnson
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Last season, Birmingham shocked many by managing a top half finish. Although Joe Hart received praise from all around for his performances in goal, the defense led by Roger Johnson was equally instrumental in their great performances.
Highly undervalued and underrated, Johnson has been going around doing his defensive duties admirably for the past two seasons and has established himself as one of the more consistent defenders in the Premier League. Leading the backline, Johnson has been a brilliant defender for Birmingham in the past two years. Strong in the air, Johnson can be seen making important interceptions and tackles throughout the game.
Birmingham are a team that depend on their defense to a large extent to get the points by maintaining clean sheets and to do that they need a strong, organised backline which is exactly what Johnson and his fellow defenders offer them. Johnson will have to continue his good form if, Birmingham are to repeat last season's heroics.
Wigan Athletic: Charles N'Zogbia
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Charles N'Zogbia is by far Wigan's most talented and best player and it is easy to see why. Possessing great skill and vision, N'Zogbia is turning out to be a great midfielder for the Latics.
An extremely potent creative force, N'Zogbia has been instrumental in most of Wigan's attacks and almost all noteworthy attacks seem to originate from his feet. A dynamic force for Wigan, N'Zogbia has already scored thrice this season and has been playing some scintillating football. Courted by many top clubs, his stock has been increasing rapidly over the last couple of seasons after putting in many a man of the match performances.
N'Zogbia's creativity will have to be at full flow this season if Wigan are to survive another season at the top level and he is capable of lifting Wigan out of their current predicament.
Stoke City: Kenwyne Jones
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After being signed by Stoke for a club record fee of 8 million pounds, Kenwyne Jones is proving to be worth every penny of it.
Strong in the air and good with the ball in his feet, Jones has been performing admirable this season for his new club. Scoring six goals already this season, Jones has been a real threat with set-pieces and is a good header of the ball. His style is suited to Stoke's overall way of playing in which they bombard the opponents box with balls and with Jones to finish it off, it is a great threat to have. Also his partnership with Fuller is turning out to be a successful one.
If Jones can continue his rich vein of form, Stoke can have a successful season.
