The Most Vital Player to Each EPL Team's Success

As with every year we prepared, we pondered and we waited with baited breath in anticipation of a new, bigger, better version of the Premier League. And as with every season the time has flown.

We're now well into the congested Christmas period of fixtures and will soon be over halfway through the footballing calendar. It seems only last week that Manchester United fans were pulling their hair out as they'd failed to sign Wesley Sneijder and Chelsea fans were in a likewise mood because they still had Fernando Torres. Now the only thing we're pulling are Christmas crackers, and the only thing we're gobbling up is the never-ending news stream that comes from the Christmas turkey: Mario Balotelli.

Stoke fans brought some Demba Ba Humbug (my apologies) when the striker, who was minutes from joining them in a previous transfer window shunned the opportunity at the last minute. Ba went on to score a hat-trick to a soundtrack of boos at the Britannia Stadium back in November. So much for good will to all men hey.

Steve Kean will be looking for some festive cheer and the vague remnants of a transfer budget from the Venky's in his stocking. However he may well be a ghost of Christmas past by the turn of the new year.

David Silva has undoubtedly been the star on top of the Premier League tree with entire City squad singing silent night at Old Trafford earlier this year as they hushed their great rivals in the most emphatic way possible.

Well it seems I've run out of Christmas related puns and so I wish you all a very pleasant holiday. Enjoy the food, family and most importantly the football. January will put the rumour mills back into service and we'll all buy into some mega-deal that will turn out to have as much factual credence as Santa Claus himself. 

Arsenal: Robin Van Persie

Our first one is also our most straightforward. As Robin Van Persie goes Arsenal goes.  As of this season Van Persie has gone like a train.

The Dutchman leads the league in goals and everything he's touching is seemingly turning to gold. Will it see Arsenal end their baron run of winning trophies?  Probably not. However, is it far more reassuring for Arsenal fans than when they lost their two most integral pieces and started the season getting comfortable in the relegation zone?  Most definitely.

Aston Villa: Barry Bannan

Barry Bannan may be somewhat of a surprise selection given his importance to Villa, but that's what makes him so vital. He's had behaviour issues that have made his appearances and his consistency erratic, but when this kid plays at his best, he's as good as anyone.

There were rumours before some of Bannan's more regretful moments that Sir Alex Ferguson has an eye for his fellow Scot.  I wasn't surprised one bit due to the midfielder's immense talent and capability when he puts it all together.

If Bannan performs to the best of his ability and Darren Bent returns healthy and in form, then Villa could be a trap game waiting to happen for the big clubs.  

Blackburn: Yakubu

You see that smiling face of Steve Kean?  That's because of number 24. Kean's so jubilant as his job security hangs by a thread, that he appears to have lost the use of his eyes as he feels up the Yak to check it's not a Blackburn fan with a knife.

I feel sorry for Kean.  What's he supposed to do? He has basically no talent to work with and a lot of the talent he does have is on the medical table.

If he quits he looks like he's given up and cowardly turned away in the face of difficulty.  If he stays, he'll in all likelihood continue to lose and be a bald-headed punch bag for 22,000 disgruntled Lancastrians that turn up each week to try out their new hate songs.

Yakubu has earned Blackburn points in previous games (see his performance against Arsenal) and will have no option but to do his best Robin Van Persie impression if he wants Kean to be in the dugout come the end of the season.

Bolton: Gary Cahill

It just gets happier and happier doesn't it?  Chances are that Gary Cahill will be gone in January so you might question why that makes him so important. The answer is that it isn't Cahill's performances that will make him important as much as it is his price.

We're hearing numbers like 6-7 million of the defender at the moment and there are two questions Bolton fans will be desperate to be answered with a yes.

1. Can we eek out an extra few million out of a Chelsea or a Tottenham for Cahill?

2. Can we get back some productive players who can secure our Premier League future with that money?

If neither of those questions are answered then Bolton will be in the dogfight.

Chelsea: John Terry

Unless you've been living in Osama bin Laden's hideout for the past week, you'll be aware that John Terry has been embroiled in a bitter battle of words over an alleged racist tirade at Anton Ferdinand.

Given the punishment handed out to Liverpool's Luis Suarez for a similar offence earlier in the week, not to mention the performances of David Luiz, Terry's availability at the back is in serious question and so is Chelsea's ability to cope without him.

Everton: Ross Barkley

Ross Barkley has had the same kind of publicity and build up that another Everton starlet, Wayne Rooney, had when he first broke into the Toffee's first team.

If Barkley gets consistent time on the pitch and shines he could a) help Everton to another respectable finish and b) be gone in the summer.

I can really see David Moyes wishing that Barkley plays well, but not so well that he draws too many eyes and speculation as a result.

Fulham: Bobby Zamora

At his best Bobby Zamora is a line-leading front man with presence and ability. When he's not at his best he's... anonymous.

If Zamora's firing on all cylinders and liking up with the likes of Clint Dempsey and Moussa Dembele, then Fulham could have a prudent second half.

Liverpool: Luis Suarez

Suarez's ban will come as a bitter blow to all Liverpool and if it can't be rescinded it will be a devastating loss.

However Suarez is still the Reds' most important player even if he misses eight games.

His movement, skill, and finishing ability are pretty much unmatched in Europe.  He'll be key to Liverpool's Champions League aspirations. 

Manchester City: Mario Balotelli

You know what you'll get from the likes of David Silva, Yaya Toure and Vincent Kompany week in and week out. However, not with Mario Balotelli. I bet Roberto Mancini breaths a sigh of relief when the Italian turns up each week.

Balotelli can be brilliant (see performance against Manchester United) and he can be awful (see performance against Chelsea).

A good Balotelli will see City cruise to the title.  

Manchester United: Wayne Rooney

It always has been and it always will be. You could try and make a case for others like Nani or David de Gea but ultimately Rooney is the heart, soul, bone structure and vital organs of Manchester United. His fingerprints are all over everything good United does.

If Rooney plays as well for the rest of the season as he did last night against Fulham, and last week against Wolves, then United will be in the hunt to retain their crown.

Newcastle United: Demba Ba

As awesome as that Demba Ba Humbug line was in the introduction, Ba's performances have been even better.

Newcastle have been up with the big boys all season long and the striker is a large reason why. If he stays on this pace, Newcastle will continue to thrive, as will my fantasy team.

Norwich: Marc Tierney

Norwich have gone surprisingly well this year, too well.

We've seen this film many times before with Blackpool being the latest to fall foul of the dower ending.

Norwich's goals will ultimately dry up and their defence will be called upon to earn points. If they can't, it will be another sequel to the film we've seen so many times before. 

QPR: Joey Barton

Who'd have thought Joey Barton would become the mature leader of a team? Well, with Adel Taarabt throwing all his toys out of the pram that's exactly what Barton's become.

He should help the club to a respectable finish.

Stoke City: Matthew Etherington

Ever since he was at West Ham I've always been a big Matthew Etherington fan.

He's as fast and skillful as most wingers, but he brings a work ethic and efficiency to the role that others simply don't.

If the winger can provide service for Peter Crouch then the only way is up for Stoke.

Sunderland: Seb Larsson

Larsson's dive against Wolves a few weeks back was despicable. That being said, he does have supreme talent.

A set-piece specialist, Larsson can get Martin O'Neil's side ticking and the new manager jumping for joy with his trademark style. 

Swansea City: Leon Britton

I read an article a couple of weeks ago that stated that Leon Britton was a better passer than Xavi. Britton has been more efficient, more accurate passer than the Spaniard this season and as been the ticking heart of Swansea's pass first philosophy. 

Tottenham: Emmanuel Adebayor

Want to know why the Spurs have gone from being a second tier team to a legitimate title challenger this season? The answer is holding his arms out like you're an idiot if you don't know the answer.

Adebayor has provided goals and link up play to Tottenham that has them a serious candidate to life the title at the end of the season. In fact Tottenham's biggest question at the moment is who they want to start playing alongside him.

West Bromich Albion: Somen Tchoyi

With absolutely no one noticing, West Brom have climbed to 10th in the table and Tchoyi is a big reason why.

He's a big, all-purpose player who's as hard to stop as his name is to spell.

Wigan Athletic: Victor Moses

As with Matt Etherington earlier, I'm a big Victor Moses fan and think he's another shrewd purchase by Roberto Martinez.

If Wigan want to survive for another year, they need to get the best out of the likes of Moses.

Wolves: Matt Jarvis

The Wolves will piece together enough goals out of Steven Fletcher, Kevin Doyle, and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake to get by, but those guys need service.

Jarvis was capped by England earlier in the year and deservedly so. He's small, fast paced, and energetic with good delivery off his right foot.

Wolves need Jarvis at his best to compete with the rest of the Premier League.