10 Premier League Players Who Will Flame out in September

Now that international week is over, it's time to turn our attention back to the domestic leagues. And since some of the players have been away from their clubs for more than a week, this weekend's games could be very interesting.

Through three weeks of the season, several players stood out for their superb play. Wayne Rooney has scored goals almost at will for Manchester United, while Edin Dzeko has done the same across town at Manchester City.

Farther down the pitch, midfielders, defenders and goalkeepers have all shined, too, though they get fewer headlines than goalscorers.

But that ends today, because we're listing 10 Premier League players who will flame out in September. It can include any player from any team, even the big ones. The only criteria is that we think they won't continue playing so well in the next month of the season.

So, without any more introduction, here's the list.

1. Edin Dzeko

No doubt a controversial choice.

Dzeko has scored a ton of goals already, bagging six in three league matches. Wayne Rooney also has scored a bunch, but he's a proven commodity. Dzeko is included here because it remains to be seen if he can keep up the pace.

Dzeko transferred to Manchester City in January, and that means he's had time to settle into England and get a feel for the league. But over the course of an entire season, it's almost certain for a newbie like Dzeko to suffer a dip in form. And when it happens, Manchester City also has a boatload of strikers waiting to play.

Add to that the fact that Dzeko can't possibly replicate his four-goal salvo against Tottenham Hotspur on a consistent basis. It's just not possible.

So, there are several factors at work: Settling in fully; a long season; a squad full of strikers; and overly high early standards.

It's not so much that Dzeko will flame out as it's certain that he'll cool off a bit.

2. Fabricio Coloccini

Coloccini has been a rock so far for Newcastle United.

A surprise choice to replace Kevin Nolan as captain, Coloccini has led the Magpies to a strong start with seven points from three matches. And the Argentine defender has played a big role, as Newcastle has allowed only one goal.

It won't last, though, for Newcastle or for Coloccini.

Newcastle is facing trips to new-look QPR and Aston Villa in the coming weeks before returning home to play Blackburn. Look for a few goals to start leaking at the back. Newcastle and Coloccini will both return to earth.

3. Gabriel Agbonlahor

Aston Villa is unbeaten through three matches, and Gabriel Agbonlahor has played his part.

The forward came on as a substitute and scored in Villa's win over Blackburn, and he played well in two more league starts.

But while the performances have been good, the goals haven't been plentiful. And it's going to stay that way.

Agbonlahor scored just nine goals in all competitions last year. Look for that kind of scoring record to continue.

4. Tim Krul

This list isn't meant to be a knock on Newcastle. It's just that the Magpies probably can't keep up the pace.

Through three matches, Newcastle has seven points, no losses and a nearly perfect defensive record. Only Fulham has managed to find the net against Newcastle, with Arsenal and Sunderland both failing to score.

It can't continue.

Krul is a solid goalkeeper, but Newcastle will start allowing more goals soon. Trips to QPR and Aston Villa will almost surely mean goals against Newcastle, and they might also mean an end to its unbeaten run.

5. Sergio Aguero

Another beneficiary of Manchester City's amazing start.

With his size and Argentine nationality, Sergio Aguero earns flattering comparisons to father-in-law Diego Maradona.

That's nice, but don't expect Aguero to produce any Hand of God moments this season. And don't expect him to keep earning the comparisons.

So far, it's been a memorable season. Aguero scored twice in City's season-opening win over Swansea, and he added another in the demolition of Spurs. But like Dzeko, he'll find that City's huge squad will limit playing time, even when he's in form.

A full season of squad rotation will hurt Aguero's form, and he'll struggle to consistently replicate his fine start.

6. Ivan Klasnic

Ivan Klasnic, a 31-year-old Croation forward, has scored three goals in three league starts this season for Bolton Wanderers.

That won't continue, though.

During the international break, he didn't have the same success. He failed to score in 45 minutes against lowly Malta, and he was an unused substitute against Israel.

As Bolton starts playing tougher competition (though Klasnic did score against Manchester City and Liverpool), look for both Klasnic and the team to struggle. Manchester United visits the Reebok on Saturday, and on Sept. 24, Bolton heads to the Emirates to play Arsenal.

This month will tell us a lot about Bolton and Klasnic.

7. Roger Johnson

Defender Roger Johnson has been one of the top performers in Wolves' strong start to the season.

The team has seven points through three matches, and Johnson has led a stingy defense. Wolves beat Blackburn 2-1 on opening day and shut out Aston Villa and Fulham since then. Johnson has been in the thick of things, putting his height and strength to good use.

It might get more difficult in September. Tottenham and QPR visit before a trip to Liverpool beckons at the end of the month.

8. Jonathan Woodgate

Jonathan Woodgate has had an up-and-down career. And while this season has started on an uptick, it will almost surely include some down times.

Woodgate has impressed everywhere he's played. And the list is long and somewhat impressive: Leeds United, Newcastle United, Real Madrid, Middlesbrough, Tottenham Hotspur and now Stoke City.

But while he's always shown glimpses of brilliance, injuries have been a major problem. If Woodgate can stay injury-free, he'll have a solid season. If not, that counts as a flame out.

It's sad to say, but the latter is more likely.

9. Gary Cahill

It seemed like half the Premier League wanted Gary Cahill during the transfer window. Arsenal and Spurs in particular chased after the tall Bolton defender.

Neither team got him and Cahill was reportedly left frustrated by it. He's still with Bolton, and even though he has earned England call-ups for his play there, it's clear Cahill wouldn't mind moving on to a bigger club.

During the early season, Cahill has again showed his strength and skill in the back. But it's a good guess that the transfer window activity served as a distraction for him.

It will be interesting to see if he can overcome that disappointment and continue to play well for Bolton.

It's just a guess, but we think his form will suffer.

10. Angel Rangel

This one hurts, because like everyone else, we enjoy a good underdog.

Angel Rangel is that: A good underdog.

Rangel has been perhaps the best performer so far for Swansea City, and this report says that as of the weekend of August 27-28, he had the most touches of any Premier League player. Period.

That's a great underdog story, but it won't continue. Swansea will struggle, and Rangel will as well. But look for him to continue being one of the team's top players.