Every season I pick my 10 to follow. They are not all new signings, but they are all players I am looking forward to seeing when the season gets underway this weekend. And these are my picks for this campaign... keep an eye out for how they perform.
1 Joe Allen, Liverpool
A modern midfielder who doesn’t go to ground in the tackle but stays on his feet. He is a superb reader of the play, intercepts the ball and has the annoying habit of passing to a team-mate. The obvious question is: can he cope with moving to Liverpool from Swansea? Joe has so much in his favour, with a manager who obviously loves him and the chance to play alongside Steven Gerrard. That midfield three of Gerrard, Lucas Leiva and Allen looks to be dripping with quality.
Getting his man: Brendan Rodgers brought Joe Allen (right) to Anfield2 Eden Hazard, Chelsea
I sat with Joe Cole last season and asked him about Hazard. ‘Jamie, this boy is so good, he can become the right-footed Messi of the Premier League,’ he said. Now we will find out. Joe played with him at Lille, where Hazard has been double French footballer of the year. He’s quick with the ball, with more pace than David Silva. He will play between the lines. The Premier League is different now, more Continental. It means foreign players can adapt quickly.
On the ball: Eden Hazard is Chelsea's big-money arrival this summer3 Papiss Cisse, Newcastle
So, can he do it again? An explosive arrival in the Barclays Premier League last season, he started scoring for Newcastle and didn’t stop. It was the range of his goals that most impressed me — tap-ins, headers and worldies from long distance. It will be harder for him this time, as it will be for Newcastle, who went from relegation contenders to a top-six finish, thanks to some clever buys and good coaching by Alan Pardew. Can they all do it again?
Second season syndrome: How will Papiss Cisse fare after an incredible start to his Newcastle career? 4 Santi Cazorla, ArsenalMy dad, Harry, was driving the Tottenham chairman mad trying to get them to buy this boy: he is top class, a special footballer. He’s another Cesc Fabregas, a lovely slider of a through ball who will create chances. He’s 27 and the reason why he hasn’t played more for Spain is because of Xavi and Iniesta. He is 5ft 6in and can play left or right and is a drifter, who finds space behind the front players. He’s a typical No 10. This is another tough season ahead for Arsenal, but if he bonds with Mikel Arteta, he will make a big difference.
Watch out: Santi Cazorla (left) will add much to Arsenal5 Yaya Toure, Manchester City
City’s dream machine and every midfielder’s nightmare to play against. He scores goals, wins the ball, tackles, heads and charges at you... he makes me glad to be retired from playing! You’ll notice a trend among my list, which includes a number of old-fashioned, skilful No 10s. Toure is the opposite to them. A powerhouse of a footballer, an absolute monster, and his form at the end of last season propelled City to the title. I was tempted to include Carlos Tevez in this group, but Toure is more influential. They need to keep him fit.
Dynamo: Yaya Toure is magnificent athlete6 Rickie Lambert, Southampton
I’ve watched him grow into a real threat as a centre forward, scoring goals in Southampton’s back-to-back promotion seasons and rising to each new challenge since Alan Pardew signed him for £1million from Bristol Rovers. Rickie has scored 78 goals in 132 League games for Southampton and was the Championship’s player of the season. Look out for his free-kicks, struck with power and dip. He might need to score early to help his confidence, but Grant Holt adapted last season. Lambert can, too.
Goals at every level: And now Rickie Lambert will test himself at the top7 Junior Hoilett, QPR
QPR have ambition. Park Ji-sung is an interesting signing from Manchester United to give them energy in midfield. They already have Djibril Cisse and Bobby Zamora, which suggests they are trying to stretch into the top 10. They still need more quality at the back, although one player I’m certain is a terrific signing is Hoilett, from Blackburn. He is quick, direct, scores goals and can play across the front line. I’m surprised a top-six team didn’t buy him.
Superb buy: Mark Hughes was canny in getting Junior Hoilett from Blackburn
8 Steven Caulker, Tottenham
Look out for this boy: he’s elegant, a lovely footballer and he’s lightning quick, having been a schoolboy 200m champion. After a season at Swansea on loan last season, he’s ready for a first-team berth. Picked for Team GB during the Olympics, he was in the England squad for this week’s friendly against Italy and won’t want to be sitting on the sidelines. I’m certain Liverpool, now managed by Brendan Rodgers, would love to take him.
Impressive season: Steven Caulker (right)9 Shinji Kagawa, Manchester United
Chelsea have Hazard, City have David Silva... United have Kagawa. A lovely passer, who will play between the lines and give United something they have been missing. The Japanese playmaker, who won the double in Germany for Borussia Dortmund last season and will look to restore trophies to the United boardroom. Gifted, with excellent balance and control. I’m looking forward to seeing him link up with Wayne Rooney. He can be a big star at Old Trafford.
All-action: Shinji Kagawa Top buy: Nikica Jelavic 10 Nikica Jelavic, Everton
Like Cisse at Newcastle, this Croatian centre forward proved that January signings can settle down quickly. He scored nine goals in 13 Barclays Premier League games and proved he could step up from the Scottish Premier League with Rangers. Their fortunes have certainly gone in the opposite direction since! A natural goalscorer, who can lead the line and score with both his head and his feet. David Moyes knows a good bargain and proved that with Jelavic. When you don’t have much money to spend, it’s important to use what you do have wisely.
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