With just two days to go until the start of the 2014/2015 Barclays Premier League season, top flight squads are itching to get back into the thick of it. The season kicks off Saturday morning, and I, for one will be up like it's Christmas morning to meander over to the pub for the Arsenal match. The excitement generated by the World Cup only makes this season more anticipated. Here, I'll look at some possible candidates for player of the year.
Philippe Coutinho
A player not selected by his native country of Brazil to play in the World Cup, Coutinho has shown that the summer months' rest have given him adequate rest in order to sustain last seasons immaculate form. Coutinho Liverpool's star and midfield conductor in preseason and looks primed to further raise his star status this year.
In hindsight, Coutinho probably could have given Brazil an extra creative force in Brazil, especially off the bench. However, no one at Liverpool will rue his omission because he only looks better since rejoining Anfield with his teammates. With Luis Suarez out of the picture and several players set to feature who are inexperienced in the league, Coutinho could very well be Liverpool's main man this year.
If Coutinho is given the freedom by Brendan Rodgers to roam the pitch and seek out opportunities to create chances for his teammates (which he probably will), expect Coutinho to flash even more brilliance this year. Together, Coutinho, Raheem Sterling, and Daniel Sturridge could impose a three-headed monster of speed, creativity, and most of all goal production. For me, Coutinho is the key to this new-look attack.
Aaron Ramsey
Similar to Coutinho, Ramsey enjoyed several weeks of rest this summer as opposed to many of his Arsenal teammates, and like Coutinho has had a fruitful preseason. Ramsey was a breakout player for Arsenal last term, being named the club's player of the season with just 23 premier league appearances to his name and a lengthy injury layoff midway through the season.
Ramsey, still just 23, has been the motor behind Arsenal's good form in the past year, but also brings ever-rising levels of confidence to the pitch. It seems that aside from Mesut Ozil and Alexis, Ramsey is probably the only Arsenal midfielder guaranteed of a starting role when fit. The amount of depth Arsenal have in the midfield only makes this more impressive.
It was only fitting that Ramsey returned from injury in time to play 120 minutes and score the game-winner in the FA Cup final last season. The Welshman is showing no signs of slowing down his steady rise, and will look to lead Arsenal to more trophies in the near future. The confidence he shows on the ball, the tenacity when tracking back, and his increasing leadership role put Ramsey on this list.
Wayne Rooney
The times are definitely changing at Old Trafford, the most recent change being Wayne Rooney's recent appointment as new club captain. Rooney certainly has the talent to lead the Manchester United line and looks rejuvenated under new manager Louis Van Gaal. Van Gaal's relationship with Rooney was under scrutiny before the Dutchman even reported for duty, but it appears there is no rift between the two.
I would argue Wayne Rooney wasn't as bad as people may have suggested in the World Cup. Sure, he did hit arguably the worst corner kick in history and missed several chances that would have surely changed the Three Lions' fate, but his work ethic remains as well as his hunger for the ball. He did get on the score sheet, and in my opinion was put under too much pressure by Roy Hodgson to be the link between the midfield and attackers.
Position-wise, Rooney's career arc has steadily led him to more of a midfield role. With Van Gaal in charge, Rooney will be granted the same roaming freedom that Arjen Robben was given in Brazil, something the Englishman wasn't granted very much under Moyes. Mentally, having a new manager could be an enormous lift for Rooney, while the injection of new blood can sometimes extend the careers of star players. With his new leadership role, expect Rooney to flourish under his new manager.
Sergio Aguero
Out of all the attacking juggernauts Manchester City have in their ranks, Sergio Aguero is the most important and crucial to success. During Aguero's injury absences in 2013/2014, Manchester City struggled in the final third. Aguero is so unique as a center forward, and is nicely complemented by either Dzeko, Negredo, or Jovetic.
Aguero has formed one of the more lethal partnerships with midfield maestro David Silva, at times even appearing telepathic. Aguero will play more minutes than any other striker, and on a team that scores as much as City do, his goal output could be tremendous this upcoming term. Aguero has been the best striker in the league over his first three years in England and could yet see even more improvements on his all-around game.
Aguero didn't have an excellent World Cup, as he was not fully fit. However, he did see his Argentina team into the finals alongside pal Lionel Messi. That, along with being defending league champions should be a lift for the Argentine. Like Ramsey, when he is fit he changes not only the result but the way the entire squad plays. Aguero's speed, striking instincts, and high off-the-ball IQ put him in contention for pre-season player of the year.
Diego Costa
The only new boy to make this list, Costa is included because of his pure striker instincts and ability to get the ball in the back of the net. In Brazil, Costa was very disappointing, but you try and go do something when an entire nation (let alone one of the largest in the world) is sending you death threats and harassing you at every touch of the ball.
Under Mourinho, Costa will feature heavily and joins a club that was in desperate need of a world-class center forward last year. They've got one in Costa, who led La Liga in scoring last season and also led Atletico Madrid to the Champions League final. Unfortunately for Costa, an early injury ended his day early in Lisbon, and was likely not 100% at the World Cup.
The key with Costa will be his adaptation to the physical style of the league. If he fails to do so, it could be a long and difficult season for him. However, if Costa shows early on he can hang with the big and physical defenders that are a mainstay in the league, there's no reason he can't equal his goal output from last season. Costa is still just 25, and could even yet improve his already outstanding reputation in England.
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