The most intriguing and captivating European football league is set to return to our screens on the 13th of August and with that date in mind, football fans are wholeheartedly preparing themselves for the spectacle that will be the 2016/17 Premier League season.
Last season was exhilarating to say the least as we witnessed the incredible triumph of football minnows Leicester City who were led to title glory by the charming Italian, Claudio Ranieri.
Given this surprise, and the numerous new big-name managers that have arrived for the fresh campaign, there’s no doubt that this season will be even more suspenseful than the last, with five or six teams realistically gunning for the league title and other outfits keeping their eyes fixated on multiple prizes in England and beyond.
Though the managers may have the majority of fans attention over the first few weeks, individual performances will, as always, play a huge role in determining the ultimate destination of a team on the league table. Going into next season, let’s have a look at five players who will be hugely influential in their teams’ performances.
5Dimitri Payet
West Ham’s very own Zinedine Zidane; Dimitri Payet is one player who will play a crucial role in the Hammers’ league campaign. Having led the team to a Europa place finish last season, Payet will be keen to build on his stellar performances and take West Ham to new heights.
The move to the Olympic Stadium represents the start of a new era for West Ham, but even with that, they still need their French magician and a couple of other players to improve the overall stature of the club.
Payet’s trickery and ability from dead ball situations will certainly get West Ham out of sticky situations when the season kicks off, it remains to be seen whether or not Payet’s teammates can step up as much as he does in a bid to enjoy an unforgettable first season at the Olympic Stadium however.
