With what’s been a great season of Premier League football so far. Now we’re taking a look at some of the biggest stand out players so far in their debut seasons for their respective clubs – here’s our top five:
5 Sadio Mane
Sadio Mane is one of many recruitments in Southampton’s Ronald Koeman era and is one that hit the ground running straight away with some good performances, including two goals and an assist in his first five games.
The 22-year-old from Senegal has played out wide for the Saints this season to good effect and at the time of writing, has hit a rich vein of form, contributing to three goals and an assist in his last three games. With the African Cup of Nations coming up, his absence will be a big blow to Koeman’s side.
While he has played for Swansea before – during the 2011/2012 season on loan – this is still technically Sigurdsson’s debut season for the Swans and it’s like he never left the Liberty Stadium.
Contributing to his team’s cause with a shocking opening day win against Manchester United – finishing the game with a goal and assist – the Icelandic playmaker set the tone for the rest of the season, being a key cog in the midfield.
As it stands, Sigurdsson currently boasts four goals and 8 assists – a contribution of 12 goals in just 19 appearances as Swansea lie in 9th place. Those figures are bound to improve as the weeks go by.
3 Thibaut Courtois
While he doesn’t have much to do compared to other goalkeepers in the Premier League, Courtois has still impressed this season. For goalkeepers of dominating teams, they have to be at their utmost best and 100% concentration whenever the opposition to get a chance and Courtois is yet to be complacent.
What’s also impressive other than him contributing to Chelsea’s 19 goals conceded in just 20 games is his command of his box. Coming from La Liga (on loan), the Belgian has adapted remarkably, taking control of his box and presenting himself as an authoritative figure.
If Chelsea do go on to win the title, Courtois will be a key factor.
The former Arsenal player has simply been superb for Chelsea – proving Arsene Wenger wrong a countless number of times after the Frenchman declined to sign him from Barcelona.
Not only has he adapted to new teammates, a new manager and a different philosophy seamlessly, but Fabregas has played the last few months as if he never left the Premier League.
The Spaniard – signed in a €33 million deal – already boasts double figure assists with 14 assists while having netted twice in 19 league games. The current record of assists in a single season is 20 by Thierry Henry and Fabregas has half a league season to break it if he just assists seven more times.
It’s hard to bet against the former Barcelona player breaking the record.
In what has been a mixed season for the Gunners, their £35 million mega signing in Alexis Sanchez has certainly paid his fee off with some world class performances.
It’s not only the fact that the Chilean has scored 10 goals and assisted six times in just 20 games – Sanchez has virtually carried Arsenal these past few months, bailing them out time and time again.
But what’s really impressed Arsenal fans and neutrals alike is the commitment of the Chilean – he keeps running, working hard, tracking back and pressing the opposition like a typical Barcelona player. It’s certainly refreshing to see a player with this mentality and approach in the Premier League and Sanchez is definitely the biggest stand out player so far.