15 Premier League Players off to Hot Starts

We're only three games into the 2011-12 Premier League season, but we've already seen some players stand out.

This article will list 15 players who have caught the attention, not only by scoring goals, but producing performances that have jumped their team into solid starts. Let's remember, it is only three games in.

After their hot starts, you could make a list from just Manchester City and United players, but I have tried to spread things around the league.

 

Players on the Bubble

Cutting a list down to 15 was always going to be a challenge.

Here is a few of players I think just missed out.

West Brom's summer signing Shane Long has been a lift for Albion, scoring twice already, including a debut goal against Manchester United. 

Gabriel Agbonlahor's pace and goal poaching ability make him hard to contain, he has only scored one goal so far though which isn't enough to cut a place.

Some believe he is very overrated but Man United's Brazilian Anderson has looked composed in midfield, he's also grabbed himself a goal.

 

Tim Krul (Newcastle)

The Dutch keeper has had a solid start to the 2011-12 season.

So far Krul has kept two clean sheets, against Arsenal and Sunderland in his three starts.

He has conceded only once at home to Fulham, but Newcastle remains unbeaten.

Newcastle doesn't have the best strikers in the league, so it's key Krul retains form at the back of the club are to succeed with him as their number one keeper. 

Franco Di Santo (Wigan)

When you play for a small team like Wigan Athletic, it's hard to breakthrough and get noticed by the neutral. 

Di Santo signed for Wigan in 2010, but had a lackluster year, scoring only once.

Refueled in 2011, Di Santo won a penalty in a 1-1 draw with Norwich on opening day, and then scored both goals in a 2-0 win over QPR.

Wigan who has five points from three games are still considered a team who could easily be relegated, so Wigan fans will be hoping he can keep some consistent form. 

Steven Taylor (Newcastle)

Steven Taylor has been on top form to start the 2011-12 season.

Three solid 90 minute performances, including stand out games against Arsenal and then Sunderland on the road.

Along with Krul, Taylor will have to keep up his form if Newcastle is to achieve a top 10 finish. Known to be inconsistent, the 25-year-old still has time if he was to ever push for an international cap with England.  

Danny Welbeck (Man United)

After a season long loan at Sunderland last season, Welbeck has returned to Manchester United ripping to go.

Earning a position in the starting 11, Welbeck started all three games ahead of Dimitar Berbatov and has scored two goals in the process.

Unfortunately for Welbeck, in his last game against Arsenal, he hobbled off with a hamstring injury and his return is unknown.

Welbeck is a rarity in football today, playing for his home town team after joining the club as a youth in 2005 at the age of 14.  

Jose Bosingwa (Chelsea)

Jose Bosingwa has been the stand out player for Chelsea this season.

He scored his first goal since 2009, grabbed an assist and a clean sheet in his three starts this season.

Chelsea's next two games are on the road, first at Sunderland and then Man United.

Chelsea kept 15 clean sheets last season, and with so many goals being scored in the Premier League lately, a solid defense is proving a much needed aspect of a team.

Ivan Klasnic (Bolton)

After Bolton lost Johan Elmander to Galatasaray and Daniel Sturridge returned to Chelsea after his loan spell, the question of goalscorers was raised. 

The season started and Bolton still lacked strikers. The chance opened up for Ivan Klasnic to start games (something he has struggled to do since arriving at Bolton back in 2009) and he has reached out and grabbed it.

Klasnic has started all three games, scoring in each one of them. 

The Wanderers have since signed striker Tuncay Sanli on loan for the season, but if Klasnic continues this form, goals shouldn't be such a big worry for the club. 

Charlie Adam (Liverpool)

Many wondered how Charlie Adam would step up at Liverpool after his offseason move from Blackpool, and so far, things have looked good.

Adams has played 90 minutes in all three games, picking up two assists and scoring his first Liverpool goal against Bolton Wanderers.

Liverpool fans will be excited at the prospect of Adam teaming up with Steven Gerrard in Liverpool's midfield once the injured captain returns.  

Wayne Hennessey (Wolves)

Wolves have made a surprisingly good start to the season, and you can thank keeper Wayne Hennessey for that.

Hennessey has pulled off back to back clean sheets against Fulham and Aston Villa and has only conceded one goal away at Blackburn.

Wolves expectations are still set at mid-table and anything more would be seen as a good season. 

 

Luiz Suarez (Liverpool)

After the selling of Torres, Liverpool put their faith in the signing of Luiz Suarez.

The deadly striker has started the season in form, and has left reds fans saying "Fernando who?"

He has scored twice in three appearances (starting two of three games) and has looked lively leading Liverpool's line.

With the additions to this Liverpool squad, Suarez could guide Liverpool back into the Champions League if he retains this form.

If he can keep fit, expect Suarez to get close to the 20-goal mark in his first full season in the Premier League.

Sergio Aguero (Man City)

Aguero is slowly introducing himself to Premier League followers, scoring three goals in three games.

With the competition for places in the Manchester City squad, Aguero will have to be on form to be starting games, but you would imagine that he would be given time after City spent £38 million on him.

Only 23, Aguero has plenty of years ahead of him and City fans will be hoping he can bring potential Premier League glory to Eastlands over their bitter red Manchester rivals.

Matty Jarvis (Wolves)

Another Wolves player to cut into the top 15 is midfielder Matt Jarvis.

Coming off an impressive 2010-11 season, Jarvis has expectations to live up to. He was Wolverhampton's player of the season and was called into the England squad.

So far this season, he has grabbed a goal and had a hand in two in his three games.

He is another key player on the Wolves squad and his drive will keep Wolves safe from relegation. 

David Silva (Man City)

Silva has been in fine form at the start of the season, netting two goals in three games.

Although his second goal against Bolton was a tad lucky, the midfielder is a constant threat and looks dangerous with the ball at his feet. 

David Silva signed for Manchester City back in 2010, and the play maker will need a big season if Manchester City is to string together consistent enough performances to win the league. 

Ashley Young (Man United)

Ashley Young's pace and agility make him a tough player to mark, and so far this season, he has been unstoppable. He has scored twice (as his winner against WBA was dubbed an own goal) and set up five goals already, nearly half as many as his 11 last year.

Manchester United paid an undisclosed fee for Ashley Young back in June and the English winger was the biggest signing Sir Alex's side made.

Young has the chance to blossom with Manchester United and establish himself as a key player on Fabio Capello's England side.

Edin Dzeko (Man City)

Edin Dzeko has been somewhat of a sleeper at Manchester City.

After the preseason antics of Mario Balotelli, the rumors around Carlos Tevez and the signing of Sergio Agero, many had forgotten about the Bosnian striker.

Dzeko has already scored six goals, which included four at White Hart Lane against Tottenham.

Last year, he only managed to score twice in the league, and it seems that the competition for places is bringing out the best in him.

If he gets the game time, consider him a major contender for the golden boot award. 

Wayne Rooney (Man United)

Wayne Rooney has been as dangerous as ever in his first three games. The English striker has netted five times and assisted two.

Playing the full 90 in all three of Man United's games, Rooney had a match to remember against Arsenal and scored a hat trick, two being free kick's curled in from the edge of the box.

Rooney has only really had one big year in the League, scoring 26 goals back in the 2009-10 season. That dropped off dramatically last year when he only scored 11, but you would bet he will surpass that this season.