Predicting the Top 10 Scoring Midfielders in the English Premier League

What qualities define a game-changing midfield player? Is it the ability to make crunching tackles, keep possession in the centre of the pitch, provide service and assists for strikers or score goals? The best of the best can do multiple of these, if not all of them.

Though holding midfielders deserve a lot of credit for the tireless work they put in chasing the ball in every match, it's the attacking midfielders who get the most acclaim, in particular the flashy ones.

Whether it be Frank Lampard or Charlie Adam striking a ball from 35 yards or Nani twisting and turning his way through the defence, we love watching footballers pull off what seems impossible.

Whether it be right after making an inch-perfect through-pass or scoring a cracking goal from outside the box, it's safe to say that these 10 midfielders have an eye for goal.

Rafael van der Vaart

Van der Vaart is hands down the most obvious selection for this list. Last season, the Dutchman led Spurs with 13 Premier League goals and eight assists in 28 appearances.

With one year of Premier League football under his belt, van der Vaart is keen on putting together another great season. You can expect him to be one of Tottenham Hotspur's leading goal scorers in 2011-12.

2011-12 Prediction: 14 goals

Nani

Manchester United's Portuguese winger Nani is coming off a stellar 2010-11 campaign. He appeared in 33 Premier League games last term, scoring nine goals and providing 14 assists. Nani's good run in form has continued in the early part of this season.

After an impressive showing for United in the World Football Challenge that saw him bag two goals and one assist in three games, Nani pulled through with a man-of-the-match performance versus bitter rivals Manchester City. His 94th-minute winner completed United's comeback from down 2-0 to a 3-2 triumph, giving the Red Devils their first trophy of the season.

2011-12 Prediction: 10 goals

Gareth Bale

Bale is coming off an award-winning season—literally. The Wales international was named the PFA Players' Player of the Season and Tottenham Hotspur FC's Young Player of the Season.

In 30 Premier League games in 2010-11, Bale scored seven goals. Look for Bale to improve on last year's breakout season in 2011-12. His incredible display against Inter Milan in the Champions League, despite defeat, was the greatest individual performance I have ever seen.

2011-12 Prediction: 10 goals

Frank Lampard

Despite having a poor season in 2010-11, with respect to his high standards, Lampard still managed to scored 10 goals in the Premier League.

Lampard's season was shortened by injury, allowing him to only play in 25 Premier League games. If he finds full fitness in 2011-12, expect Lampard to be amongst the Premier League's top scorers. Don't forget that the England international takes all the penalties at Stamford Bridge.

2011-12 Prediction: 15 goals

Samir Nasri

Whether Nasri is playing with Manchester City or Arsenal in 2011-12, he will score goals. The Frenchman is reportedly being shopped by the Gunners, with Emirates 24/7 reporting that Wenger would let him go £22 million.

Nasri scored 10 goals in 30 Barclays Premier League games for the Gunners last season. His production should increase this year to the tune of 12 to 15 goals.

 2011-12 Prediction: 12 goals

Yaya Touré

Last season, Yaya Toure was one of the best all-around players in the Premier League. He did everything for Manchester City. Whether it was scoring goals, defending or setting up his teammates, Toure was the beating heart of a City team that won their first trophy since 1976.

With a load of controversy surrounding Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli this summer, Roberto Mancini will need Yaya Toure to start the season on great form. The Ivory Coast international scored eight goals in the Premier League in 2010-11, but expect double digits this time around.

2011-12 Prediction: 10 goals

Charlie Adam

In 2010-11, Charlie Adam nearly pulled off the unthinkable: keeping Blackpool in England's top flight. In his first season with Liverpool, Adam is keen on earning a place in the Merseysiders' first team.

His ability to stretch the field with accurate long balls gives Liverpool a great outlet to launch counterattacks next season. Adam is a tremendous free-kick specialist and also has a knack for putting away penalties with ease.

2011-12 Prediction: Nine goals

Ashley Young

2011-12 will mark Ashley Young's debut season with Manchester United. Young is coming off a seven-goal season in the Premier League with Aston Villa.

Some may view this as a surprising pick, but the fact is that Young will have many more chances to score as part of United's attack. He will also be fancied in many set-piece situations, increasing his opportunities to score goals.

2011-12 Prediction: nine goals

Charles N'Zogbia

Charles N'Zogbia is the heir apparent to Ashley Young and Stewart Downing at Aston Villa. Last year with Wigan, N'Zogbia enjoyed the best goal-scoring season of his career, tallying nine goals in 34 Premier League games.

Aston Villa signed the French winger for £9.5 million. Villa's only other summer signing was goalkeeper Shay Given, meaning that N'Zogbia is likely to be one of Villa's featured attackers.

2011-12 Prediction: 10 goals

Adel Taarabt

Taarabt helped lead Queens Park Rangers to promotion from the Championship after a magnificent campaign in 2010-11. You may remember Taarabt from his days with Tottenham Hotspur, where he failed to establish himself as a first-team player from 2007-10.

After being loaned to QPR from 2009-10, Taarabt sealed a permanent move to join the Hoops. In 2010-11, Taarabt put up a remarkable 19 goals and 16 assists in 44 appearances in the Championship.

This summer he has been linked to a move away from Loftus Road, with PSG the leading contender to get the Moroccan's signature. But if Taarabt stays with QPR, he will be one their leading scorers yet again.

2011-12 Prediction: nine goals