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The 2021-22 season of the English Premier League is already three matchdays old. Defending champions Manchester City have already tasted defeat this season and north London side Tottenham Hotspur are sitting at the summit. For those unaware, the current campaign is already turning out to be rather unpredictable.
Despite coming into the season on the back of Euro 2020 and Copa America 2021 tournaments, Premier League players are desperate to make their mark. There have already been plenty of goals and staunch defensive performances and we expect to see more on matchday four.
Today, we will be taking a look at five players who could claim the upcoming matchday.
#5 Paul Pogba - Manchester United
The Premier League has some exceptional talents at its disposal. However, very few can match the charisma and exuberance of Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba. Since returning to the club from Juventus in 2016, Pogba has had his fair share of criticism. Now that the Frenchman is completely settled in, he is regularly contributing with goals and assists.
Paul Pogba is currently the leading assist-provider for the 2021-22 Premier League campaign, setting up his team-mates five times already in three games. He was a devastating force in Manchester United’s Premier League opener against Leeds United, providing four assists in the 5-1 win.
The 2018 World Cup winner was not particularly charming against Wolverhampton Wanderers on their third matchday. But that should not be an excuse to count him out against Newcastle United on Saturday.
#4 Mohamed Salah - Liverpool
Mohamed Salah is the undisputed star of Liverpool’s famed front-three. Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino are capable, of course, but it is the Egypt international who usually comes up with the goods. The 29-year-old is a quick-footed winger who is equally adept at scoring as well as assisting. And on Sunday at Leeds United, the Reds are likely to need both of his qualities.
Salah has started the 2021-22 Premier League campaign in fine fashion, registering two goals and two assists in three matches. Salah’s perfectly-struck penalty against Chelsea allowed Liverpool to equalize on the last matchday. But the 2019-20 Premier League champions failed to score more despite having a one-man advantage for the entire second half.
The right-winger is still not at his absolute best yet but an impressive performance at Leeds could induce more confidence in his play.
#3 Jamie Vardy - Leicester City
Premier League star and England national team striker Jamie Vardy is one of the sharpest strikers in world football. He has excellent speed, a knack for the spectacular, and a pair of lungs that do not give out. Vardy also loves to score against big teams. And currently, there is no bigger team in the Premier League than Manchester City.
The 2015-16 Premier League champions Leicester City are set to host Manchester City on Saturday afternoon. Vardy, who has hit the back of the net twice in the Premier League this season, will be the hosts’ target man.
The 34-year-old has scored eight goals in the last five years against the Sky Blues and looks poised to add more to his tally this weekend.
#2 Michail Antonio - West Ham United
West Ham United forward Michail Antonio may not be hailed as one of Premier League’s best strikers, but he is surely performing like one. Antonio, who has been with West Ham United since 2015, is enjoying his best start to a Premier League campaign yet. He has netted four goals and provided three assists, emerging as the leading goalscorer in the division after three rounds of fixtures.
Antonio has played as a centre-forward this season but is capable of playing in a number of positions. His ability to find space is impressive and he has used it to score in each of the last three games in the Premier League.
Additionally, he has provided an assist in each of those three fixtures. Antonio’s West Ham are currently second in the Premier League table and will face Southampton FC on matchday four.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo - Manchester United
Cristiano Ronaldo has not played a single Premier League game in the 2021-22 campaign. Yet he will have the attention of the entire footballing fraternity when he steps onto the pitch against Newcastle United on Saturday. Ronaldo, an out-and-out legend of Manchester United, has returned to the club from Juventus, penning a two-year deal in the summer.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who recently became the top scorer of men’s international football, spent six seasons at Old Trafford during his first spell, scoring 118 goals. He mesmerized fans across the globe in those six seasons, winning three league titles and the 2007-08 Champions League with the Red Devils. Ronaldo won his first Ballon d’Or in 2008, following his exploits in a Manchester United shirt.
The Portugal captain has arrived in Manchester ahead of schedule and is expected to feature in some capacity for the 20-time league champions against Newcastle. The 36-year-old has a fine record against Saturday’s rivals. He faced the club 11 times over his first spell, registering six goals and five assists.
Expecting him to improve his tally is probably a tad too optimistic. But Manchester United fans will hope for nothing less from their legendary number 7.
