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In this article, we continue to 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 second installment of ballers as selected by yours truly.
Burnley – Luca Koleosho
Name: Luca Kolesho
Date of Birth: September 15, 2004 (age 19)
Place of birth: Norwalk, Connecticut, United States
Height: 1.75 m
Position : Forward, Winger
Nationality: USA
Foot: Right
Kit Number: 30
Luca Koleosho, the winger, has showcased some remarkable performances for Burnley Football Club in the current season. As an unyielding attacker, he has orchestrated moments of creative brilliance that inject hope into Burnley’s challenging situation, with the team currently positioned at the bottom of the Premier League table. Although he presently represents the Italian Under 21 national team, it’s noteworthy that he holds the option to choose among the USA, Canada, and Nigerian national teams.
His notable attributes lie in his adept decision-making skills when receiving the ball. Whether manoeuvring through open space or under close marking, Kolesho consistently strives to make things happen, initiating his dribbles with a confidently swift initial movement off either foot. Demonstrating comfort in possession, he backs his ability to navigate through defenders, delighting in the art of twisting and turning to confuse markers with subtle shoulder drops.
Possessing commendable strength while in possession, Kolesho consistently seeks to produce tangible results, fully understanding his role in supplying and creating chances. His confidence extends to shooting both inside the box and from a distance. BestblogAbout has been thoroughly impressed with him. Despite his youth, he exhibits the maturity to support his prodigious talent. While no disrespect intended to Burnley, it appears highly unlikely that he will remain with the club for the duration of his current contract, unless renegotiated before the season concludes.
An honourable mention goes on to Lyle Foster.
Chelsea – Cole Palmer
Name: Cole Palmer
Date of Birth: 6 May 2002 (age 21)
Place of birth:Manchester, England
Height: 1.89 m
Position : Forward Attacking midfielder, winger
Nationality: England
Foot: Left
Kit Number: 20
Cole Palmer, the 21-year-old midfielder, has emerged as one of the most promising young talents in the Premier League. His talent has been evident since his early days at Manchester City, where he progressed through the academy ranks before making his senior debut in 2021.
Palmer’s skills and attributes have made him a top prospect in the English top flight. He made a late transfer to Chelsea just before the summer transfer window closed, which surprised many given the depth of Chelsea’s squad and attacking talent, but he has quickly become a regular under Mauricio Pochettino and a fan favourite in no time at all.
He has tremendous technical ability, with impeccable close control and excellent dribbling ability. Despite is early years, he clearly has a understanding of the game beyond his years, as his movement is impressive as well as his ability to make the right decision at the right time. His composure is ice-cold and he has stepped up to become Chelsea’s penalty-taker despite being so young and only making a handful of appearances.
Recently he has broken into the England squad and his ability to play across the front, having featured in a number of positions in the UEL for Man City. He has an excellent chance of making the squad for the Euro 2024 championship finals in Germany if he stays fit and consistent with his eye-catching performances.
Chelsea – Raheem Sterling
Name: Raheem Sterling
Date of Birth: 8 December 2002 (age 28)
Place of birth: Kingston, Jamaica
Height: 1.72 m
Position : Forward, Winger
Nationality: England
Foot: Right
Kit Number: 7
Raheem Sterling had to be on this list as he has been one of the EPL most consistent ballers and has elevated his game in his professional journey, without compromising his natural skill and flair. The Chelsea forward has been one of the top ballers in the Premier League for some time now.
After his transfer from Queens Park Rangers, He made his debut shortly after in a pre-season match in Germany at the tender age of 15 years old. He then became a regular for Liverpool at 17, demonstrating his unique running style and agility which has been patterned by Crysencio Summerville of Leeds United and a host of other wingers.
He always looks to dribble and take on his marker but under the guidance of Pep Guardiola following his move from Liverpool to Man City, he added goals to his game, making good off-the-ball movements to emerge in the box to clinically finish off attacks. He has impeccable close control and superb confidence always looking to tantalise his marker and has a full stack of tricks and feints, as well as looking to execute nutmegs where possible.
Sterling is an iconic baller who has played for big teams as well as England, who needed to add flair to national team. Since Sterling added that at such a young age, we have seen many more young flair players break in to the England set up. Raheem is also a brand ambassador for New Balance.
Honourable Mentions: Enzo Fernandez, Noni Madueke, Christopher Nkunku, Reece James
Crystal Palace – Eberechi Eze
Name: Eberechi Eze
Date of Birth: 29 June 1998 (age 25)
Place of birth: Greenwich, London England
Height: 1.78 m
Position : Attacking midfielder, left winger
Nationality: England
Foot: Right
Kit Number: 10
Eberechi Eze is an English professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or left winger for Premier League club Crystal Palace and the England national team. Born in Greenwich, south London, Eberechi Eze joined Palace in summer 2020 from QPR and instantly proved his worth in the Premier League.
Eze is a baller born out the cages. This schooling and environment has birthed many players, particularly from South London with unique ball control and movements in tight areas, where they are able to navigate out of danger with ease.
With his silky dribbling skills, exceptional passing ability, and knack for scoring goals, Eze quickly established himself as a key player for the Eagles. He possesses a great vision for the game and is able to create chances for his teammates with his passing. He is also a threat to score every time he gets in the box, with a great eye for goal and a ferocious shot of either foot. He is also a brand ambassdor for New Balance.
Eze’s performances for Palace have not gone unnoticed, and he has been called up to the England national team on a few occasions, with the option to represent Nigeria where is heritage is from – dependant on if he is capped in non- friendly matches for England. He is still only 25 years old and has a bright future ahead of him. He is considered one of the most promising young talents in English football, and has the potential to reach the very top of the game.
Crystal Palace – Michael Olise
Name: Michael Olise
Date of Birth: 12 December 2001 (age 21)
Place of birth: Hammersmith, London, England
Height: 1.84 m
Position : Attacking midfielder, left winger
Nationality: France
Foot: Left
Kit Number: 7
Michael Olise is a French professional footballer renowned for his role as an attacking midfielder or right winger at the Premier League club Crystal Palace and the France national team. Although born in Hammersmith, London, Olise, with Nigerian and Algerian heritage, has adeptly represented both France and England in various youth international competitions.
As a skillful winger, Olise is celebrated for his exceptional pace, dribbling skills, and his knack for creating scoring opportunities for his teammates. Joining Crystal Palace in 2021 after leaving Reading, he has consistently demonstrated his dedication to the club and an unwavering passion for the beautiful game. He is maturing into a hot commodity with Chelsea attempting to sign him earlier this season. He is one of the players you immediately think of when you think of Premier League Ballers.
Olise’s standout performances at Palace have garnered attention, from Europe’s top teams and leading to multiple call-ups to the France U21 national team. He is also sort after internationally with apparently Algeria trying to persuade him to play in the forthcoming AFCON tournament.
At the age of 22, he stands at the threshold of a promising future, recognised as one of the most talented and prospective young players in French football. With his remarkable skills and potential, Olise is poised to ascend to the pinnacle of the sport.
Honourable Mentions: Jordan Ayew, Jeffrey Schlupp, Will Hughes
Everton – Abdoulaye Doucouré
Name: Abdoulaye Doucouré
Date of Birth: 1 January 1993 (age 30)
Place of birth: Meulan-en-Yvelines, France
Height: 1.84 m
Position : Midfielder, second striker
Nationality: Mali
Foot: Right
Kit Number: 16
Abdoulaye Doucouré is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Everton and the Mali national team. He is known for his athleticism, passing ability, and ability to break up play. Doucouré signed from Watford to Everton for a fee of £22 million. He has quickly established himself as a key player for the Toffees, and was named the club’s Player of the Season in 2022. I am sure his wonder strike that went in on the last day of the season to keep Everton up had a lot to do with that.
He is most comfortable as a box-to-box midfielder, where he can use his athleticism and passing ability to control the midfield. He is also capable of playing as a defensive midfielder, where he can use his tackling ability to break up play. Currently, he is used further forward with Andre Onana & Gana Gueye playing behind him so adapts a play like a Number 10 when Everton are in possession. This versatility makes him a Baller.
He is reminiscent of Yaya Toure, not just in the way he can operate as a box to box midfielder and being versatile, but the way he glides and scoops the ball when dribbling is also reminiscent of the Premier League legend. He possesses a fierce shot off either foot and has an uncanny knack of scoring not frequently, but scoring important goals in big games.
Fulham – Willian
Name: Willian Borges da Silva
Date of Birth: 9 August 1988 (age 35)
Place of birth: Ribeirão Pires, Brazil
Height: 1.75 m
Position : Left winger, attacking midfielder
Nationality: Brazil
Foot: Right
Kit Number:20
Willian Borges da Silva, commonly known as Willian, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward or attacking midfielder for Premier League club Fulham. He is known for his pace, dribbling skills, and finishing ability.
Willian has a way of looking unstoppable – you rarely see him tackled as he is able to skip tackles and negate challenges. He possesses a repertoire of tricks and feints that allow him to create space for himself and his teammates. His first step, or initial movement to start his dribble is so quick that usually opponents are left in their wake. He is able to burst past defenders with ease and his change of pace when travelling with the ball or stationary is usually followed up with a whipped in cross or considered pass if he is not lining up burning past his next opponent.
He also possesses a fearsome shot of both feet and has a habit of curling the ball in the top corner – “top bins”. As a result he is often the first choice when it comes to taking free kicks, particularly if the dead ball situation presents itself with a shooting opportunity.
Honourable mentions: Andreas Perriera, Raul Jimenez, Bobby Decordova-Reid, Harrison Reed, Harry Wilson
