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Matthew Glazier of www.bettingpro.com argues that many of the successful Premier League teams this season rely too heavily on one player
It is foolish to describe any side as a one-man team. It’s obvious that winning games in the top flight requires a strong defence, a compact and creative midfield, not to mention someone who can put the ball in the onion bag.
However, for all that football is a team game, this season has seen star players perform for their clubs to such an extent that you wonder where the sides would be in the table if they missed their top gun for any number of matches.
1) Gareth Bale at Tottenham
Every time you think Gareth Bale can’t get any better, he dashes past half a dozen opposition players and slots one into the net. Or he smacks an unstoppable shot past the keeper from 35 yards to win the game in injury-time. Nobody could have predicted the former Saints left-back would be such a revelation although Spurs now have a disproportionate reliance on the Welshman.
2) Luis Suarez at Liverpool
Alarm bells were heard ringing at Anfield this week after quotes from Luis Suarez emerged which suggested the Uruguayan was open to offers from other clubs this summer. While Liverpool MD argues that the striker has been “lost in translation”, one wonders how the Reds can replace the Premier League’s leading scorer when they’re unlikely to be playing Champions League football next term.
3) Yaya Toure at Manchester City
Toure has been making things happen at City since the moment he signed for the club and it is noticeable that the club’s results dip whenever the midfielder is injured or goes off to represent the Ivory Coast the African Cup of Nations. His return last season helped City embark on a run which saw them overtake Manchester United and it’s a concern for the champions that he apparently wants to leave in the summer.
4) Christian Benteke at Aston Villa
The Villans look as though they might survive relegation although they will owe a huge debt of gratitude to Christian Benteke if that happens! The Belgian has singlehandedly been winning matches for the Midlands club since the campaign began and his recent glut of eight goals in the past nine matches have seen the team beat QPR, Reading and West Ham. £7 million was money well spent considering his side often need to score three goals to win a game.
5) Juan Mata at Chelsea
Chelsea signed several players last summer although none have made a serious impact this season, with Eden Hazard only starting to come good in recent matches, while Oscar has been hot and cold during his first season in England. However, Juan Mata should be nicknamed The Postman as he always delivers for the Blues when he graces the field and you really notice the team’s lack of creativity when the Spaniard is resting on the bench.
Written by Matthew Glazier from Bettingpro.com, the number one source for sports betting tips, breaking news and expert views.
