Every player seeks the approval and appreciation of the fans lining up inside the stadium and beyond. Some players receive adulation more than others, it could be due to their prodigious talent, their passion for the club or for the personality that they are for their side.
A good example of this can be seen in the Manchester United fan’s support of their former player Nemanja Vidic, whose name still rings around Old Trafford or in the case of their local rivals, Manchester City, whose fans continuously chant Sergio Aguero’s name.
While both are incredibly talented players, the former is lauded for the strength and toughness that his personality brought to the team, Aguero is revered in the blue side of Manchester for his brilliance in bringing City their first Premier League title.
Following are, in no particular order, some of the latest recruits during this summer’s transfer window who have captured the imagination of their side’s fans and have become favourites:
#1 Eric Bailly
Who would have thought that a transfer that cost upwards of £30 million would receive the least attention from the media and from the fan’s point of view amongst Manchester United’s four transfers?
Nobody expected this relatively unknown yet big money signing centre back from Villareal to immediately grab his opportunity and a spot in a defence that conceded the least goals in Premier League last year and in doing so, oust the club vice-captain, Chris Smalling from the first XI.
Not many, including his manager Jose Mourinho, thought the Ivory Coast native would have a significant impact so soon and be named August’s Player of the Month in his first month playing competitive football in a new city and a new league.
(Video Courtesy: Mathews Football YouTube Channel)
While Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba received most of the attention in the summer, Eric Bailly has quickly established himself as the signing of the summer for United in the long term alongside Pogba.
He has been hailed as the player to finally fill the huge hole in the United defence since the departure of Nemanja Vidic. A strong, robust tackler with the desire to win each ball in his zone, Bailly has been vital to the United squad. Just 22-years-old, Bailly has become a fan favourite and will be a crucial part of Mourinho’s squad for years to come.
#2 Ousmane Dembele
Not every day does one find someone who has rejected the opportunity to play at Camp Nou alongside Lionel Messi, Neymar, Luis Suarez and Iniesta and ignored the interests of the lucrative English league. Yet, Ousmane Dembele has done so in this past year.
Every European giant was interested in his services, including Real Madrid, who would like the French prodigy to be yet another young and valuable addition to their star-studded line-up. All signs point towards stardom for the 19-year-old. The winger cum attacking midfielder has settled into life very well at Dortmund, already securing a starting spot since his transfer from Rennes.
(Video Courtesy: SENZYm8 YouTube Channel)
Although his 17 appearances across all competitions have resulted in just three goals, his contribution to the team’s attacking cause has been influential. With nine assists already, his contribution to the team and his potential has caused a buzz around Dortmund fans.
Dortmund fans have been considered as one of the best in the world, backing their team and as expected, the fans have embraced the teenager as one of their own and will be backing the 2015-16 Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year to become one of the finest players of his generation.
#3 Sadio Mane
In a recent interview, Jurgen Klopp admitted that he regretted not signing Sadio Mane during his time at Borussia Dortmund. The German manager had the chance to bring Mane to the Westfalenstadion, he even had a chat with him but didn’t feel the synergy and three months later, felt like ‘punching his own face’ for the mistake.
Luckily for him, and for Liverpool, he had a second chance this summer and snapped him up for roughly £30 million. In his last two years at Southampton, Mane had established himself as one of the best wingers in the league. With quick acceleration, pace and a knack for scoring goals, Mane was too good to stay at Southampton.
(Video Courtesy: KnucKle Production YouTube Channel)
Ever since the transfer to Liverpool, Mane has been a vital factor in Liverpool’s ascent to becoming the best-attacking unit and the most entertaining to watch in the Premier League. Capable of playing across all attacking midfield positions, the 24-year-old has been involved in 8 goals directly in 12 appearances this season.
Along with his and Liverpool’s success so far this season, Mane has established himself amongst the Kop by declaring that he rejected arch rivals Manchester United in favour of a move to Liverpool.
#4 N’Golo Kante
Every football fan and many across the world who don’t even follow football have heard about the remarkable success Leicester City achieved last year. Initially headlined by the performances of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, as the season wore on, every player in the squad deservedly earned plaudits as well. But none of the players could have had the impact that N’Golo Kante had.
Leading the league with an all-time record number of tackles in a season and also having the highest interceptions, he was hailed as the backbone of the team. One of football’s most esteemed dignitaries, Sir Alex Ferguson, revealed that Kante is by far the best midfielder in the league. And the best player was eventually sold to Chelsea in the summer for £32 million, a sum that could end up looking significantly small when compared to the amount being thrown at players these days.
(Video Courtesy: Defence is an Art YouTube Channel)
Kante has proven with his performances this year that last season’s incredible campaign was no flash in the pan and he has simply demonstrated his outstanding skills at a higher level of expectation without any fuss.
And in doing so, the summer recruit has earned the love and respect of every Chelsea fan. Even the people who publicly despise him for his apparent disloyalty to Leicester know how good he is. There is no denial that he has a had a big hand in lifting Leicester from the trenches of the league to the top, and he is currently doing the same in London as well.
#5 Joe Allen
Everyone following the Premier League would recognise the rise of Joe Allen at Stoke City. After a big-money move from Swansea City to Liverpool, Allen, despite being talented, was never able to hold down a spot in the starting XI.
After commendable performances for Wales in the UEFA Euro 2016 in which he was named in the team of the tournament, he transferred to Stoke in order to get regular playing time.
Stoke had a torrid start to the campaign with the first eight games bringing in a tally of just three points. But the shining armour amidst one of the worst starts has been Joe Allen. Playing further ahead in an attacking midfielder role, compared to his roles at previous clubs, Allen has struck the back of the net a total of four times and assisted a further two times in 11 appearances so far.
(Video Courtesy: Ducci HD YouTube Channel)
There has not been much to celebrate for the Stoke City fans until recently, but Joe Allen’s performances have brought some respite and joy and earned him a new nickname – Welsh Pirlo.
