EPL Power Rankings: The Player Each Club Most Needs to Step Up in 2011-12
With a summer's worth of transfer deals, contract negotiations and intense pre-season training sessions to come, the make-up of each English Premier League squad will look a lot different than it is now come the start of the new season.
Still, it is fairly safe to assume that each Premier League club current employs a player that they will be counting on to step up in 2011-12.
For some it is the established star required to deliver the goods once again, for others it is a player who flattered to deceive this past season. Then there are those looking to finally seize upon opportunities withheld either through injury or poor form.
Whatever the reason, here are the 20 players that 17 established top-flight and three newly promoted Championship clubs will be looking for big things from in the upcoming campaign.
Arsenal FC: Thomas Vermaelen
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Arsenal FC have issues right now. For a team that just qualified for the Champions League again, a surprising amount of issues. One of which is what to do about a shaky defence that cost the team at crucial times this past season.
While Arsene Wenger is said to be looking to reinforce his backline with a player possessing the physical, dominating presence they have lacked, his defensive headaches will likely subside with the hopeful return of a fit Thomas Vermaelen.
The Belgian international's injury-plagued year proved costly for the Gunners, leaving them without their best defender who would have continued to improve in what would have been his second full season at the club.
Wenger will be counting on Vermaelen to fit back into his defence without a hitch. In an increasingly competitive Premier League, every side will be keen to avoid any early hiccups, a risk Arsenal will face as they look to settle in a new-look defence.
The form of Vermaelen will be important in making sure this is not an issue early on while they hope he will not prove as inconsistent as some of his teammates as the big games come thick and fast.
Aston Villa: Marc Albrighton
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The continued emergence of Marc Albrighton was one of few reasons to be cheerful in an otherwise frustrating season for Aston Villa supporters.
That frustration looks set to continue. As they wait on the announcement of a new manager they also face the prospect of losing Ashley Young and/or Stewart Downing, two of the club's best performers.
The chances of both being allowed to leave seems unlikely, but whatever happens Albrighton's importance to the club will only continue to grow.
Villa's young winger is a lively threat for opposition fullbacks, always looking to push them on the back foot and create the space needed to swing his crosses in. This is an ability the club will rely on in creating chances for their main source of goals, Darren Bent, especially if either of the duo of Young and Downing move on.
As a product of the club's youth system, Albrighton is also someone the fans will attach themselves to. The England under-21 international will be called upon to provide good performances early on in what may prove a difficult start in a season of potential uncertainties for Villa.
Blackburn Rovers: Nikola Kalinić
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It is not certain Nikola Kalinić will be at Blackburn Rovers by the start of the 2011-12 campaign. After Sam Allardyce was fired, Kalinić was all but frozen out by new manager Steve Kean for the remainder of last season. With Kean looking to bring in a couple of new strikers, their current Croatian forward's days at Ewood Park may be numbered.
A player once described by Slaven Bilic as "the future of Croatian football", Kalinić has shown flashes of ability that suggest he may be worth persisting with.
He is blessed with height that makes him useful when Blackburn adopt a more direct approach and has an elusiveness on the ball combined with a good eye for goal that makes him a tricky prospect for opposition defenders.
Still only 23-years old, Kalinić may now have acquired the necessary experience he needed to at last make a substantial impact in the Premier League. Blackburn have lacked a consistent goalscorer of late, a role their Croatian striker may still take up.
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Bolton Wanderers: David Wheater
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A decent 2010-11 season for Bolton Wanderers tailed off somewhat towards the end. As they look forward it will be interesting to see what manager Owen Coyle has in mind as he looks to improve his team.
One such move was made with the acquisition of David Wheater in the January transfer window earlier this year.
At Middlesbrough Wheater was for a while touted as once of the best young central defenders in England, prompting rumours of a move to one of the country's bigger clubs. This hype was curtailed somewhat when Boro were relegated and Wheater opted to remain in the northeast, only moving on when the club failed to get promotion back to the top-flight.
Since joining Bolton, Wheater has competed with Zat Knight for a starting position alongside Gary Cahill in the club's defence. The latter's future is unknown at this point, but should he remain or not, Wheater will called upon in helping to instill some defensive steel in a Trotters' defence that has especially conceded too many goals away from home.
It is a big opportunity for Wheater to prove himself a Premier League defender, and that he was worth the hype that surrounded him early on in his career.
Chelsea: Fernando Torres
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Is Fernando Torres the man to lead Chelsea to that long-desired and elusive Champions League trophy or just a £50 million folly?
It is has been a difficult start to his Stamford Bridge career, as Torres is a man who was already out of form now bound by the weight of such a huge price tag. But though he has struggled, there is a legitimate argument that a player who, because of international duty, has not had a full summer off since 2007 was running on empty. This, coupled with misguided insistence on him playing injured at Liverpool two seasons ago, has left him in desperate need of a rest.
Torres has got that now, and has a summer to recuperate physically and mentally. The Spanish striker will need to make the most of it as he knows Chelsea can't wait for him any longer come the beginning of the new season.
There will be a new manager and likely further investments in the squad, and Torres will be required to spearhead a new charge into the future for Chelsea with the goals and all-around forward player that made him one of the most feared strikers around just a couple of years ago.
Everton: Mikel Arteta
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Everton may be approaching something of a crossroads this summer. Another slow start once more derailed preseason optimism in 2010, before the Toffees' tried-and-tested squad eventually guided them to a respectable seventh place finish.
After years of such solid achievement, questions have to be asked whether manager David Moyes can continue in such fashion, especially with a lack of the substantial investment needed to help the club progress further.
This is why they will need another big year from their influential Spanish playmaker Mikel Arteta.
Injuries have restricted the amount of games Arteta has played the previous two seasons but he remains a pivotal figure in making Everton tick on the pitch. As one of the club's more experienced performers he will also be tasked with incorporating the emerging crop of young players the club have come to be reliant upon into one of the Premier League's most consistently well-performing teams.
Fulham: Bobby Zamora
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Bobby Zamora's injuries last season couldn't have come at a worse time. After a tremendous season with Fulham in 2009-10, he had earned his first England cap and was going into the new campaign as one of the Premier League's in-form strikers.
It says something about the confidence level Zamora is now playing at that once fit he got going exactly where he left off, finishing the season with six goals in only 12 appearances.
Zamora is not the only player of quality in a small, but talented Fulham squad. But should they wish to maintain their current position as one of the Premier League's best teams outside of the top six or seven, his goals and performances will be vital for the Cottagers.
It is not easy maintaining form at the top-level, but all indications are that Zamora has matured into the kind of consistent performer any club would be lucky to have.
Liverpool: Andy Carroll
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Like the once-idolized Spaniard he effectively replaced at Liverpool, Andy Carroll has a hefty price tag to justify. Unlike Fernando Torres, he also has the pressure of living up to the tag of one of English football's bright young stars.
With Luis Suarez, Steven Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt to share the load, not to mention possible further investment bringing someone else in, Carroll is not required to carry the goal scoring burden to quite the extent he was at Newcastle United.
Still, Liverpool would not have spent the money they did if they were not expecting goals from him. Carroll will be required not only to be the physical, focal point of their attack, but also capable of linking up with the aforementioned players in the passing style Kenny Dalglish will continue to look to implement.
Manchester City: Mario Balotelli
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Whether Carlos Tevez stays or not, Manchester City will be looking for more goals from their other expensively purchased strikers this upcoming season.
If Tevez does leave, much especially will be needed from Mario Balotelli.
While Edin Dzeko is certainly a striker with considerable finishing ability, Balotelli has a skill-set and arrogance that singles him out as being something a little bit special. Tevez has this in abundance, qualities that always make a potential game-changer.
Indications are Balotelli has this capability too. If Tevez leaves he will need to utilize it in providing an x-factor for City. If the Argentinian remains, he may well have a teammate capable of lighting up the Champions League and a serious Premier League challenge with him.
Manchester United: Anderson
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It looks likely Manchester United will look to bring in a midfielder or two this summer, the retirement of Paul Scholes and the lessons taught by Barcelona in the Champions League final make that all but certain.
Sir Alex Ferguson will still likely be looking to get something out of Anderson too.
It has been an up-and-down few years for the Brazilian since he arrived at Old Trafford. Strong, influential performances have also been tempered by spells when he has not looked up to much at all.
Ferguson will likely believe the good outweighs the bad, and with Scholes gone and Ryan Giggs not too far behind now is a prime opportunity for Anderson to stamp his claim for a permanent placing in the Manchester United midfield.
Unlike a new signing, Anderson would not have to worry about settling and adjusting to new teammates. He is energetic and can pick out a good pass, and if he is not the solution for any possible future meeting with Barca, he could still prove an important Premier League player.
Newcastle United: Leon Best
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After Newcastle United sold Andy Carroll to Liverpool for £35 million, club owner Mike Ashley said that the majority of the money would be used for adding to Alan Pardew's squad this summer. It is early days yet, but Ashley has previous to suggest he might not have been quite so forthcoming on the eventual use of that money!
If Pardew is not able to bring in the calibre of striker he wants to replace Carroll, and perhaps even if he does, an opportunity might be coming for Leon Best.
The 24-year old has not been the most prolific of strikers in his career so far. Injuries ruined the Irish international's first season with the Magpies but he still managed to grab six goals overall, including a hat-trick on his full debut in the 5-0 thrashing of West Ham United.
Regardless of who they possibly bring in, Newcastle will need goals if they want to remain in the Premier League a second straight season. It is a prime opportunity for Best to prove himself and finally come good.
Norwich City: Simeon Jackson
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There is very little in the way of Premier League experience in Norwich City. Several newly-promoted clubs have proved this is not necessarily a necessity in recent years, but this does place the emphasis on the players who got them there making the step up.
One of Norwich's most impressive performers, especially in the latter part of their promotion season, was striker Simeon Jackson.
Jackson did not start throughout the season, but he proved an effective contributor from the bench and he took his opportunities in the season's run-in, including scoring the goal that sealed their promotion at Portsmouth.
Blackpool showed what the lack of solid defence can cost you in the Premier League, but they also displayed the value of a player who can score goals. Like D.J. Campbell did for them, Jackson's years of work in the lower leagues might be about to pay off for Norwich.
Queens Park Rangers: Adel Taarabt
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At Tottenham Hotspur, Adel Taarabt was never given the chance his talent deserved. While Martin Jol spoke of his potential of becoming the best player at the club, Juande Ramos and Harry Redknapp shied away from using this maverick talent. Still, his rare appearances were memorable, containing flashes of the brilliant skill and attacking genius he has since shown at QPR.
Neil Warnock has given Taarabt the freedom needed to bring the best out of him and it paid dividends as they won The Championship. While their wealthy financial backers will surely bring in a big name or two to augment their title-winning squad, QPR will still rely on Taarabt being their difference maker.
Those few appearances with Spurs prove he is not afraid to take on the best the Premier League has to offer, he will need to translate this into consistency if his team is to make an impact this season.
Stoke City: Kenwyne Jones
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Stoke City spent £8 million to take Kenwyne Jones from Sunderland last summer, and while he enjoyed a decent first season for the Potters, the hope will be he will contribute a lot more in 2011-12.
Jones scored 12 goals in all competitions but critics believe a player with such enviable attributes as the pace, presence and power he possesses should get a lot more out of them.
Criticism of his inconsistency has surrounded Jones throughout his Premier League career, but when he is on form he is undeniably a lethal striker. If Jones can turn his great individual match performances into great displays over consecutive runs of games, he could be the player that transforms Stoke into a side capable of making waves in the top half of the table.
Sunderland: Jordan Henderson
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Sunderland's Young Player of the Year for a second season in a row, Jordan Henderson also made his England debut during the past campaign.
Henderson, who will be 21-years old at the beginning of 2011-12, has progressed to become a mainstay of the Sunderland side and one of their most reliable players. While by no means the finished article, his continued run of impressive performances mark him out as one of the country's brightest prospects.
It has been a steep learning curve for Henderson with so much of Sunderland's play running through him. Despite his young age he has quickly become one of their most important players. He will once more be asked to contribute at this level again.
EDIT: Since writing things have changed and it looks as if Jordan Henderson is joining Liverpool for an estimated £20 million.
You would think now club captain Lee Cattermole will be required to step up in that midfield as one of their main (fairly) well rounded players in that position. Steve Bruce will surely though be hoping to spend the money brought in for Henderson on a decent replacement.
Swansea City: Scott Sinclair
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Any player for any of the newly-promoted teams face a challenge in stepping up to the demands of the Premier League. Not only is it challenging as a professional competing with some of the world's best players, but there is also the task of adapting to a new mentality. Where a few months previous you were in one of the best sides in your league, now you have it all to prove.
This, you imagine, will definitely be on the mind of Swansea City's Scott Sinclair. Unable to force himself into the first-team contention at Chelsea, he went through a string of loan spells as he struggled to find his place.
At Swansea the attacker has done just that, flourishing under the tutelage of Brendan Rodgers, a former Chelsea man himself.
There are players of greater experience in the club's squad than Sinclair, but there is no doubt he is one of the players most capable of making a different for the Swans in the top flight. It is no unsubstantial task, asking him to be the man for the Premier League's first Welsh club. But you would imagine he has something to prove.
Tottenham Hotspur: Tom Huddlestone
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Tom Huddlestone can hit a beautiful pass. There are few players in the world who can strike the ball as sweetly as the Tottenham midfielder, able to pick someone out across the pitch and switch it so elegantly. The same technical excellence applies to his shooting when he meets it right.
However as yet, he has been unable to take these skills and incorporate them into the all-round game of an influential, ball-playing midfielder he has the potential to be.
In fairness, injuries saw Huddlestone miss a big chunk of the season just finished, when he eventually returned for a few games he wasn't match-fit. But this upcoming campaign offers perhaps the last chance for him to really stamp his name on the Spurs midfield.
This has been a situation that has been forced by the emergence of the excellent Sandro, and the continued, imperious form of Luka Modric. The latter has been linked with Manchester United, but should he stay Huddlestone may find it more difficult than ever to get a starting spot.
He needs to step up now for himself, to take his chance. But also, in the knowledge that if he is playing, Spurs need him to take hold of games like his Croatian teammate is able to, to dominate the midfield against the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Steven Gerrard.
West Bromwich Albion: Scott Carson
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Scott Carson had something of an up-and-down year of it last season.
The West Brom goalkeeper played his part in keeping his club in the Premier League as they finished the season strongly, ending up in 11th place.
However Carson did struggle for form, with Boaz Myhill replacing him for a spell.
Carson is undoubtedly a talented goalkeeper, he has shown that at various points and would not have attracted the interest of Liverpool when he did if otherwise. However for some reason he has yet to achieve the sort of consistency all the best keepers possess.
West Brom will be counting on him next season as they look to avoid the difficult second season that has plagued so many sides who survived their first season in the Premier League only to go down the next. Carson will need to be at his best so his team do no concede the sort of silly goals that can lose them points that will prove invaluable down the road.
Wigan Athletic: Conor Sammon
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Conor Sammon's excellent goal scoring form in the first half of last season with Scottish Premier League outfit Kilmarnock, potting 18 goals in 27 games, prompted Roberto Martinez to try his luck with the Irishman. It paid off when he scored in the vital late-season win against West Ham United, helping to maintain Wigan's Premier League status.
Martinez will certainly be asking for more of the same from Sammon in the upcoming campaign.
The Latics were not the Premier League's worst scoring side, but they did struggle for goals. With Charles N'Zogbia likely to leave and Hugo Rodallega not certain to stay, Wigan could be without two of their main sources of goals.
Sammon has shown he has decent goal scoring instincts and if he is able to reproduce that on a regular basis, it would go some way to keeping his team in the top-flight. If he is able do to so, he will also earn the honour of being one of the few strikers to move from the SPL to England in recent years and replicate their goal tallies from above the border.
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Michael Kightly
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Such was the level of performance produced by Michael Kightly for Wolves in The Championship, Manchester United were reported to be interested in signing him.The winger went onto play a significant role as Wolves achieved their Premier League dream.
Sadly for Kightly it turned into a nightmare as injuries have denied him a proper opportunity to display his talents at the highest level.
And Kightly is most definitely talented.
Wolves would have benefited from a player who proved himself as one of the most consistently effective in the lower divisions, always positive and nearly always dangerous.
Kightly looks, hopefully, now to have overcome his injury problems. Should he force his way back into first-team contention, along with the likely permanent signing of Jamie O'Hara, Wolves could have the type of players that turn them from relegation scrappers into a mid-table side, or maybe better.
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