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Bestblogabout – back again with another one. Part 3 of 4 of the Absolute Ballers of the EPL. 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 third installment of ballers as selected by yours truly. Let me know what you think in the comments.
Liverpool – Mohamed Salah
Date of Birth: 15 June 1992 (age 31
Place of birth: Nagrig, Basyoun, Egypt
Height: 1.75 m
Position : Right winger, forward
Nationality: Eygpt
Foot: Left
Kit Number: 11
Mohamed or Mo Salah is a forward who plays for Liverpool Football Club.
He is known for his pace, strength, dribbling skills, and finishing ability. He has extraordinary speed and can burst away from his opponents as well as excellent close control and trickery that enables him to wriggle out of tight areas. On his day he is great entertainment, even when he is having a quiet game by his standards.
Mo Salah is one of the greatest forwards to play for Liverpool, he ranks 5th in their all-time list of goal-scorers. What sets him apart from his predecessors is he primarily plays on the wing and yet has still managed to regularly place or top the goalscoring charts. His dynamic play has won the hearts of the Anfield faithful, who have celebrated him with the nickname “the Egyptian King” and given him his own song which is often heard when he scores.
His fancy dribbling, goal-scoring instincts, and never-give-up attitude have made him a star at Liverpool and a hero to fans around the globe. For an example of what Mo Salah is all about, look out for his goals against Man City and Watford in the 2021/22 season. An Absolute baller and a Premier League legend, Salah has an international cult following and is a player who despite is age is regularly linked with big money transfers.
Luton Town – Ross Barkley
Date of Birth: 5 December 1993 (age 30)
Place of birth: Liverpool, England
Height: 1.89 m
Position : Midfielder
Nationality: England
Foot: Right
Kit Number: 6
Ross Barley plays as a central Midfielder for Luton. He originally burst on the season for Everton and after impressive displays for club and country, moved to London to sign for Chelsea. Due to the competitive nature of the squad, the merry-go-round of Head Coaches incoming and outgoing at Chelsea and injuries, he found it difficult to establish himself as a regular at Stamford Bridge and during this time he went on loan to a few clubs and his career stalled.
He is known for his box-to-box play, possessing the ability to drive forward at great pace on the break and carry the team forward. He can pass and shoot from distance and his range of passing has been eye-catching since moving to Luton from the Premier League after an unsuccessful spell in France. Whilst he did not play so regularly in recent years, we know he still a baller.
He plays in front of the back 4 for the Hatters as the first playmaker receiving the ball from defenders so he has shown his versatility and skill as a footballer, being able to adapt to a new position. I wonder if it is too late for him to force his way back into the England reckoning. It may be but if he keeps on putting in good performances you never know.
Manchester City – Jérémy Doku
Date of Birth: 27 May 2002 (age 21)
Place of birth: Antwerp, Belgium
Height: 1.89 m
Position : Winger
Nationality: Belgian
Foot: Right
Kit Number:11
Born: 27 May 2002 (age 21 years), Antwerp, Belgium
Jeremy Doku is a Winger who plays for Manchester City. Signed this season from French team Rennes and being some what of an unknown in the UK, Doku has stunned the PL with some amazing wing play. He is probably the most trickiest winger in the league and for someone so young is also one of the most confident players in the league which makes him an absolute baller.
His style is direct. If you allow him to go into a duel with his fullback there is only going to be one outcome, so teams are forced to double up on him which of course leaves a player in the final third free to find space outside the penalty box or and drift into the box unmarked. However such is his talent his can also beat the double-team so he is very difficult to stop. He has pace and quick feet but what also sets him aside as one of the best dribblers is his imagination and end product. He is an exciting player to watch.
Doku caught the eye during Manchester City’s match against in-form Brighton and Hove Albion when he faced up against James Milner. Doku terrorised and toasted Milner several times during the first half it almost seemed cruel considering Milner’s age which is 37. Milner was eventually substituted and did not reappear for the second half. He also famously toyed and tantalised with Manchester United’s Brazilian winger Antony towards of a comfortable victory in the Manchester derby resulting in Antony kicking the Belgian and then Doku responded by wagging his finger in the Brazilians face.
Manchester City – Phil Foden
Date of Birth: 28 May 2000 (age 23)
Place of birth: Stockport, England
Height: 1.71 m
Position : Attacking Midfielder/Winger
Nationality: England
Foot: Left
Kit Number: 47
Phil Foden is an Attacking Midfielder/Winger who plays for Man City. Foden has evolved into a pivotal figure for City, contributing significantly to their triumphs, including four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups, and a UEFA Champions League victory. He made his debut appearance for the first team at just 17 years old in 2017
Renowned for his versatility, Foden exhibits proficiency across various midfield positions. His technical prowess, exceptional vision, and a broad passing range underscore his impact on the pitch. Beyond being a creative force, Foden showcases a keen ability to both score and craft goals, adding a dynamic dimension to his role in the team. He possesses excellent ball control and can receive the ball of the half-turn and drive forward in a singular movement, reminiscent of his mentor and City legend David Silva.
He had added goals to his game and rarely misses the target when he shoots, something he doesn’t receive enough credit for. He has become an England regular and is seen as the answer to England’s issue of not having enough creativity in Midfield.
Manchester United – Marcus Rashford
Name: Marcus Rashford
Date of Birth: 31 October 1997 (age 26)
Place of birth: Manchester, England
Height: 1.80m
Position : Forward
Nationality: England
Foot: Right
Kit Number: 10
Marcus Rashford is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United and the England national team. Born on October 31, 1997, in Wythenshawe, Manchester, Rashford has become celebrated for his prodigious talent and his support for working-class children off the pitch.
Marcus Rashford’s meteoric rise through the ranks of Manchester United began at the tender age of seven, when he joined the club’s esteemed youth academy. His talent was evident from the start, and he quickly ascended through the various age groups, showcasing his remarkable abilities and potential.In February 2016, at the age of 18, Rashford’s big moment arrived as he made his first-team debut for Manchester United against Midtjylland in the UEFA Europa League. The occasion was made even more special when Rashford scored two goals in the match, marking an unforgettable start to his senior career.
He possesses an array of skills: Shooting, dribbling, movement, trickery and deception which he excels at. He hits a mean long-distance free kick with a technique made famous by Ronaldo and David Luiz. However, it’s his all-round finishing ability which is his biggest strength. He is also an exceptional dribbler and possesses fine close control.
Rashford has established himself as a key player for both Manchester United and England. Beyond his on-field success, Marcus Rashford has garnered immense recognition for his off-field humanitarian efforts, particularly his unwavering commitment to addressing child food poverty. His tireless campaigning has led to significant changes in government policy, ensuring that countless children gain access to nutritious meals during times of hardship. This remarkable achievement has earned him the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) and cemented his status as a role model and a champion for social justice.
Newcastle United – Alexander Isak
Name: Alexander Isak
Date of Birth: 21 September 1999 (age 24)
Place of birth: Solna, Sweden
Height: 1.92m
Position : Forward
Nationality: Sweden
Foot: Right
Kit Number: 14
Alexandre Isak is a forward who plays for Newcastle United and Sweden. He is an extraordinary talent who is known for his dribbling and goals scoring ability. His dribbling is particularly impressive considering he is 6ft 3inches. He produced one of the greatest dribbles ever seen in the Premier League at Goodison Park last season
Isak’s potential was evident from an early age, and he quickly rose through the ranks of the AIK youth system. In 2016, at the age of 17, he made his senior debut, showcasing his impressive goal-scoring abilities and earning a reputation as one of the most promising young strikers in Swedish football. After successful spells at Borussia Dortmund and Real Sociedad he was signed by Newcastle United in the 2022/23 season has has acclimatised to the Premier League in no time.
One of the first of Eddie Howe’s signings, he has been very integral to Newcastle resurgence. I think defenders are genuinely scared of him because he has such physical presence and dazzling dribbling ability. He is one of the biggest threats in the Premier League and just needs a injury free full season to show his full potential.
