The three stars from each of the top four clubs that will be crucial for success. After last weekends fixtures in the Premier League there appears to be a gap that has opened up between the top four in the race for the title. With just two points separating leaders Chelsea and third-placed Manchester City - with Arsenal in the middle - it is as close as it has been for a number of years. As for fourth-placed Liverpool, although an outside shot writing off the Reds when they are playing so well under manager Brendan Rodgers would be foolish. With the final 11 matches of the domestic season approaching, this is the time when the teams so- called top stars will have to show they are worth their reputation. So here are the three players that thinks will be key for each side in the title race. Liverpool Jordan Henderson Edges into the list ahead of skipper Steven Gerrard perhaps somewhat surprisingly considering the 33- year-olds experience and creativity. However, it is Hendersons development from expensive flop to fine box-to-box midfielder that gives the 23-year-old the edge, with the England International having marked some of the best out of the game. Daniel Sturridge After the striker scored his 17th and 18th league goals of the season in Sundays 4-3 victory over Swansea City, its a realistic prospect that Sturridge could win the Golden Boot award. Since a £12m transfer from Chelsea in January 2013 the 24-year-old has scored 32 times in just 39 matches and this clinical edge could be just what the Merseysiders need to finish top. Luis Suarez Whilst Sturridge has been good, the Uruguayan has been superb and seems to be a dead cert to be awarded the PFA Player of the Year. With 23 strikes Suarez is the current top-scorer in the league, but as recent starts from the left wing has shown, the 27-year-old is much more than a poacher and has also provided 17 assists. Manchester City Sergio Aguero Manuel Pellegrini needs the Argentine fit and back in the team as soon as possible as injuries have ravaged the 25-year-olds season so far. Despite that Aguero has still managed to score 26 goals in 25 games and as good as Alvaro Negredo is, the South American is the standout talent. Vincent Kompany After starting the campaign scoring at a tremendous rate, goals have somewhat dried up for City of late and therefore they need to stay tight defensively to keep up their title challenge. For that the Citizens need Kompany in the team, as the Belgium international is truly world-class and is the leader at the back that keeps things in order. David Silva With more assists in the Premier League since the start of the 2010/11 season than anyone else, the Spaniards creativity cannot be underestimated. Silva is a true playmaker and nearly everything positive that the team creates going forward goes though the 27-year-old. Arsenal Olivier Giroud Arsene Wengers tactic of not signing any new strikers in the January transfer window despite a lack of forwards at the club could well be their downfall. Luckily Giroud has been in good form this term and provides so much more to the team in buildup play than goals, so keeping the Frenchman fit is vital. Per Mertesacker Although Thomas Vermaelen is the official captain at the Emirates Stadium and Mikel Arteta has the armband in the Belgians absence, make no mistake who the real leader on the pitch is. Mertesacker has developed into a top defender in north London and alongside Laurent Koscielny is vital to the Gunners success. Mesut Ozil Criticism has been piling down on the club record £42.4m signing recently and thats probably partly because everyone realises just how crucial the German is to the team. Ozil possesses genuine world-class ability and with more assists in Europe between 2010 and 2013 than anyone else, the 25-year-olds performances could make or break their campaign. Chelsea Eden Hazard As Jose Mourinho inadvertently admitted to one sneaky journalist, the strike force at Stamford Bridge is fairly woeful currently. However, in Hazard they possess an attacking midfielder whos eye for goal could make that not become an issue, with the 23-year-old having already netted 12 league goals this term. Branislav Ivanovic The best defence in the country is finely balanced on the premise that none of the chosen back four get injured, with this Serbian perhaps being the most important of the lot. In an era where full-backs are expected to support the attack first and defend second, after converting from centre-back Ivanovic has managed to combine the two disciplines perfectly. John Terry Many thought 12 months ago that the captains best days on the pitch were behind him, as the 33-year- old struggled to get into Rafael Benitezs starting XI. Yet the return of Mourinho as boss has also seen Terry reinstated in the side and many would argue that the Englishman has been the best defender in the league this campaign. Your thought?.
Posted on: Thu, 27 Feb 2014 15:36:21 +0000
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