5 players from promoted teams who have been in fine form

4. Matt Ritchie (Newcastle United)

Matt Ritchie

After playing a key role in Newcastle’s Championship winning run in the 2016/17 season, Matt Ritchie continues to be a key player for Rafa Benitez in the current season. With the manager not getting adequate support from the club owners in the summer transfer window, Benitez has had to rely on many of his existing squad players, who haven’t let him down with the team currently placed in the top half of the league table.

Ritchie, who has played Premier League in the past for Portsmouth and later Bournemouth, was among the signings made by Benitez at the start of last season to push for their quest for an immediate return to the top division. Ritchie justified the manager’s trust by enjoying a successful season which included 16 goals across all competitions.

Now back in the Premier League once again, Ritchie has continued his good form, and his count of 4 assists places him among the top players for the maximum assists till date this season.

Newcastle have boasted of some of the very best talent in the Premier League era in the past, and while Ritchie may not be categorised with them in terms of skills and ability, his importance to the current squad isn’t too different. His ability to score and create goals will be a key factor in ensuring that the Magpies avoid the scare of another return to the lower division.