The Absolute Ballers of the EPL – Part 1

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In this article, we are gonna look at the English Premier League and the top baller of each club. These architects of the beautiful game don’t always get their flowers as ever increasingly, statistics are dominating opinions when it comes to evaluating footballers. These aren’t just footballers, these are absolute ballers! These artists need their own metrics as their ability to entertain keep us fans in stadiums and armchairs a like serve as an inspiration to all. Anyway, here is the first 5 absolute ballers as selected by yours truly.

Arsenal – Bukayo Saka

bukayo_saka The Absolute Ballers of the EPL - Part 1
credit: AFP

Name: Bukayo Saka

Date of birth: 5 September 2001 (age 22)

Place of birth: Ealing, England

Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)

Position: Midfielder – Right Wing

Nationality: England

Foot: Left

Squad Number: #7

Bukayo Saka is a name that has become synonymous with excitement, creativity, and a relentless work ethic on the football pitch. The Arsenal winger has emerged as one of the most promising young talents in the Premier League, captivating fans with his dazzling skills and unwavering determination. Making his debut as a 17-year-old, his dribbling and jinking ability has forced opposition teams to double-team him such is his proficiency at one on one duels

Saka possesses exceptional technical ability, evident in his close control, dribbling skills, and passing range. He can glide past defenders with ease, weaving through tight spaces with a low centre of gravity and a deceptive burst of pace. His ability to manipulate the ball in confined areas is remarkable, often creating scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. He has added assists to his game and can never be accused of not having end product. He is currently an brand ambassador for New Balance who are his boot manufacturer and has his own signature range

credit: Sky Sports

Saka’s versatility is another key attribute that sets him apart. He made his debut at left back and is comfortable playing in a variety of attacking positions, from the left wing to the right wing to even a central attacking role. His adaptability allows him to seamlessly fit into different tactical setups, making him a valuable asset to any manager. He has made the right wing his own and one of the challenges for Arsenal will be to find an understudy as Saka is one of the first names on the team sheet and an automatic pick.

Honourable mentions to Martin Ødergaard, Gabriel Martinell & Gabriel Jesus.

Aston Villa – Mousa Diaby

moussa_diaby-1024x555 The Absolute Ballers of the EPL - Part 1
credit: Reuters

Name: Mousa Diaby

Date of Birth: 7 July 1999 (age 24)

Place of birth: Paris

Height: 170cm

Position: Forward – Right Wing

Nationality: France

Foot: Left

Kit Number: #19

Born in Paris, France, Diaby’s footballing journey began at local club Espérance Paris 19ème. His talent was evident from a young age, and he joined the prestigious Paris Saint-Germain academy at the age of 13. Diaby progressed through the PSG youth ranks with distinction, showcasing his exceptional abilities on the pitch. In 2017, he made his professional debut for PSG’s B team, and in 2018, he was promoted to the senior squad.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHg1yi9FhpE

Diaby’s primary attribute is his electrifying pace. He is one of the fastest players in European football, and his ability to burst past defenders with ease is a nightmare for opponents.

Diaby’s dribbling skills are equally impressive. He possesses a repertoire of tricks and feints that allow him to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. His close control and balance make him difficult to dispossess, and he often finds himself in dangerous positions around the opposition penalty area. He loves to unbalance his marker and accelerate into space.

His big-money move to Premier League club Aston Villa, where he joined a squad brimming with attacking talent. The move was a sign of Diaby’s growing reputation and his desire to challenge himself at the highest level. In addition to his pace and dribbling, Diaby is also a capable finisher. He possesses a strong left foot and is clinical in front of goal. His composure and technical ability in the final third make him a threat to score every time he gets on the ball.

Honourable mentions to Leon Bailey, John McGinn & Ollie Watkins.

Bournemouth – Antoine Semenyo

antoine_semenyo-1024x647 The Absolute Ballers of the EPL - Part 1

Name: Antoine Semenyo

Date of Birth: 7 January 2000 (age 23)

Place of birth: Chelsea, England

Height: 179 cm Position:

Position:Strikerright wingersecond striker

Nationality: Ghana

Foot: Right/Left

Kit Number: #24

Antoine Semenyo is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for Premier League side AFC Bournemouth and the Ghana national team. He is known for his pace, strength, and finishing ability.  He is also a good dribbler and passer with an array of skills. He is probably the least known of this list of absolute ballers, but he could be summed up as an absolute nightmare for defenders in the Premier League, with a playing style reminiscent of Allan Saint-Maximan, a baller who the streets will never forget.

Since establishing himself as a regular starter for AFC Bournemouth moving from Bristol City, Semenyo has put in some eye-catching performances, at times looking unstoppable. He has quick feet, an array of tricks, playing with confidence and a style which is bound to have the clubs around Europe taking note. Also, he is genuinely ambidextrous given he dribbles with both feet consistently as well as being able to shoot from a distance with either peg.

If Semenyo can become more consistent, there’s no doubt will be subject to loads of enquiries. Maybe, under the guidance of his current coach Andoni Iraola who has shown great faith in his ability, he can find his rhythm in every match. He can only get better if he plays regularly and since he has broken into the team, Bournemouth’s performances and results have improved.

Honourable mentions to Dominic Solanke, Lewis Cook & Marcus Tavernier

Brentford – Bryan Mbuemo

bryan_mbuemo-1024x555 The Absolute Ballers of the EPL - Part 1

Name: Bryan Mbeumo

Date of Birth: 7 August 1999 (age 24)

Place of birth: Avallon, France

Height: 173 cm

Position : Forward

Nationality: Cameroon

Foot: Left

Kit Number: #19

Bryan Mbeumo is a Cameroonian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Premier League club Brentford and the Cameroon national team. He is known for his pace, strength, and dribbling ability.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-oVAyWSRUo

Mbeumo is one of the fastest players in the Premier League. He is able to burst past defenders with ease, and his pace is a constant threat to opposing defences. He is able to hold off defenders and is difficult to dispossess. He plays across the frontline and this season in the absence of Ivan Toney has been the talisman for the team. In tight areas, he is always able to escape with feints, spins, nutmegs and other moves, and can surprise defenders with his unpredictability.

Mbeumo is a highly talented footballer with a bright future ahead of him. He is still only 24 years old and has the potential to become one of the best players in the Premier League.

Honourable mentions to  Ivan Toney, Rico Henry & Yoan Wissa 

Brighton & Hove Albion – Kaoru Mitoma

mitoma_2-1 The Absolute Ballers of the EPL - Part 1

Name: Kaoru Mitoma

Date of Birth: 20 May 1997 (age 26)

Place of birth: HitaÅŒita, Japan, 

Height: 178 cm

Position : Forward

Nationality: Japan

Foot: Right

Kit Number: #22

Kaoru Mitoma is an extraordinary talent from Japan. Since emerging on the scene two seasons ago at Brighton and Hove Albion, he has terrorised fullbacks regardless of reputation and stature with his dribbling ability. A university graduate, he did his thesis on dribbling and it is clear he is an expert in this field. He is not a guy that has an inferiority complex and will quite happily burn his opponent either way. He makes dribbling look fun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukNDSWgMVMQ

He has a style reminiscent of Neymar and other great players skilled in the art of take-ons. However, Mitoma is also an excellent passer. He has a great vision for the game and is able to create chances for his teammates with his passing. He is able to score goals with both feet and is a threat to score every time he gets in the box.

Brighton and Hove Albion have become a club that sells their best assets and seamlessly replaces them with quality players. Indeed, Mitoma emerged in the starting XI on the back of the departure of Leandro Trossard. There is no doubt that the club will receive interest for the player, it is a matter of ‘when’, not ‘if’ he is sold such is the buzz regarding his skillset. However, the club will do well to replace his quality without playing a large transfer fee, such is his talent.

Honourable mentions to: Evan Ferguson, Joao Pedro & Adam Lallana.

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