Standouts: Unexpected Players Making a Big Impact in the English Premier League
The English Premier League has roared back into action, delivering exceptional entertainment through its first 11 matchdays. True to the league’s nature, drama and controversy have been a constant feature throughout the past four months.
The goalscoring has been prolific, with the net rippling over 300 times already. No team remains unbeaten, though Liverpool stands apart with just a single defeat.
This campaign has unveiled surprising stars emerging across various clubs. With nearly a third of the season complete, we can now correctly evaluate these breakout performances. This analysis highlights five unexpected stars who have transformed into vital assets for their respective teams. If you are searching for football prediction sites with the best information, visit EaglePredict.
Chris Wood
The current Premier League Player of the Month is experiencing a remarkable season launch. His contributions have propelled Nottingham Forest to an impressive fifth place in the standings. The club’s overall trajectory has exceeded expectations, with even their most devoted supporters taken aback by their recent results. Under Nuno Espirito Santo’s guidance, the team has undergone a striking transformation this season.
Wood’s impact has been nothing short of excellent. The Kiwi forward has found the net eight times in eleven appearances. His current scoring rate surpasses his expected goals (xG) of 4.51, indicating clinical finishing. His match statistics show a consistent threat, averaging 1.9 shots per game, with 1.3 finding the target.
Wood’s impact gains even greater significance when considering his eight goals account for more than half of Nottingham Forest’s total tally of 15 in the Premier League. Should he maintain this impressive scoring form, the striker could reach the coveted 20-goal milestone this campaign. This landmark achievement would be a first for the 32-year-old striker.
Bryan Mbuemo
Any concerns over the departure of star striker Ivan Toney have long disappeared, thanks to the rise of Bryan Mbeumo. The Cameronian is already enjoying his best season in professional football, with eight goals and one assist.
Given his current form and the number of games left, Mbeumo should surpass his best-ever goal tally in a season. Currently, he is one goal shy of matching that record. Much like Chris Wood, he is also overperforming his expected goals stat (3.88). The Cameronian is averaging 2.0 shots per game, with 1.1 of those attempts being on target.
Mbeumo’s influence extends well beyond his goalscoring prowess, as evidenced by his defensive contributions. The dynamic winger recovers an impressive 4.9 balls per match while executing an average of 1.0 tackles. His all-round excellence has drawn consistent acclaim from Brentford manager Thomas Frank.
The Bees’ tactician has long championed Mbeumo’s qualities, highlighting his exceptional work ethic and team-first mentality. Now that he’s finding the net regularly, Bryan is finally receiving the worldwide acknowledgment his ability deserves.
Ryan Gravenberch
Several comments have been made about Liverpool’s excellent attack this season. However, most of the team’s success this term has coincided with the rise of Ryan Gravenberch. The Dutch midfielder struggled last season, making only 12 starts during the previous campaign.
This season has marked a remarkable turnaround. His presence in Liverpool’s starting lineup has been constant throughout their Premier League campaign, proving instrumental in their impressive early form. By the seventh matchday, Ryan stood alone in the league with an exceptional 476 passes, surpassing the 300-mark threshold.
His statistics during this period were equally impressive: 123 ball carries (exceeding 100), 42 possession recoveries (above 40), and 41 successful duels. These numbers underscore his vital role in Liverpool’s table-topping performance.
Though yet to record a goal or assist this term, Ryan has become indispensable and will be crucial as the team faces a challenging December schedule. While it’s premature to declare Liverpool as Premier League champions, if they do secure the title, Gravenberch will be a significant factor in their success.
Danny Welbeck
At 33, Welbeck is defying age-related expectations with remarkable flair. The English striker has been in scintillating form for Brighton, already notching up six goals while creating two more for his teammates this season. Welbeck has scored against Everton, Manchester United, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham, Newcastle, and Wolves. His assists came against Everton and Liverpool.
The seasoned forward, who has graced several of England’s elite clubs, thrives as the experienced leader among Brighton’s youthful squad. Notably, he is even older than Fabian Hurzeler, his team manager.
Welbeck has shown strong attacking form this term, averaging 2.8 shots per game, with 1.1 of them being on target. With four big chances missed, he should be on eight goals at the very least. Brighton’s young team is filled with a lot of energy and creativity. Both features will suit Welbeck as he looks to add more goals to his tally this season.
Thomas Partey
Arsenal is having a poor season based on their lofty standards. However, the performance of Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey is one of the positive things about the Gunners. The midfielder is returning to form at a crucial time and has played in multiple roles for Arsenal this season.
Traditionally used at the base of midfield, Partey has been asked to cover at right back in some games. His most notable performance in that role came against Liverpool. On the day, Partey locked out Luiz Dias from progressing into Arsenal’s box, often dispossessing the Columbian before he could turn. It was an exceptional performance, given Partey’s lack of pace.
In midfield, the Ghanaian has also been excellent. So far, he is averaging 1.2 interceptions and 2.8 tackles per game. He also averages 3.8 ball recoveries and 2.0 clearances per game. Partey is a familiar star, but his return to form is worth mentioning. With Arsenal getting several of their players back from injury, Partey is expected to play vital roles for the Gunners as they attempt to win their first EPL title this season.
Conclusion
The Premier League continues to showcase an array of remarkable players at the peak of their craft. As this campaign unfolds, we anticipate more of these gifted individuals stepping into the spotlight with stellar displays for their teams.