THE SURPRISE PACKAGES OF THE EPL SEASON ARE …
EVERY season, there are players that shock everyone in a good way, by either rising above expectations or reviving their careers. The following are some English Premier League players who have done so this season
PATRICK BAMFORD (LEEDS UNITED)
Prior to this season, many doubted Bamford’s ability to play in the Premier League. The former Chelsea reject’s goal scoring in Leeds’ promotion-winning Championship season last term was hardly prolific as he scored just 16 goals in the second tier despite playing 45 times.
Leeds have so far been the most successful of all the promoted teams this season and that is in large part due to Bamford’s performances in front of goal. He looks a completely different player and already has 12 Premier League goals from 22 games.
OLLIE WATKINS (ASTON VILLA)
Jack Grealish has often dominated the headlines for Aston Villa’s improved performances this season with Watkins and Matty Cash missing out on their fair share of the credit. The 25-year-old Watkins joined Villa prior to the start of the season in a club-record £28 million (R566.359 million) fee from Brentford.
Some doubted his ability as he had no Premier League experience. However, he has transformed Villa’s front line and scored 10 goals so far. Watkins has an outside chance of making England’s European Championship squad and some would argue he should be selected to Gareth Southgate’s team ahead of Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham.
JAMES JUSTIN (LEICESTER CITY)
Leicester City inarguably have one of the best recruitment systems in England. The latest star they have developed this season is defender James Justin, who arrived from Luton Town in 2019.
Acting in the left-back role that Ben Chilwell occupied for the Foxes last season, Justin has been part of a well-organised defence so much so that most would concede that Chilwell’s departure has not had that much of a negative impact on the team’s overall performances.
LKAY GÜNDO AN (MANCHESTER CITY)
In his years at Manchester City, Gündo an’s talent was known, yet he was never one of the most feared members of the first team. That has changed this season.
The 30-year-old is having the best goalscoring campaign of his career with his brace against Liverpool last weekend taking his tally for the season to 11. The title looks like it is City’s to lose this season and Gündo an could be a contender for the club’s player of the season award if he continues with his current level of form.
TOMÁŠ SOUČEK (WEST HAM)
David Moyes’s West Ham side this season is reminiscing the famous Everton team that he led to a top-four finish in the 2004/05 campaign and that is in large part due to the displays of defensive midfielder Tomáš .
Moyes pulled off a master stroke by signing the Czech Republic international, initially on a loan deal from Slavia Prague in January 2020.
also has an impressive goal-scoring ability. He is the Hammers’ leading goalscorer in the league this season with eight goals.