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New signings or campaigned veterans; teams that are promoted to the Premier League need one or two players who can cut it in the top flight from the word go. Whether it’s a goalscorer who gets off the mark right at the beginning of the season, or a towering defender who marshals his side through a tricky set of early fixtures. Players who feel at home in the big time are a necessity. Squawka picks out five players who have excelled for their newly-promoted sides in the early weeks of the season.
Gary Medel – Cardiff City
For Gary Medel, the past few months haven’t just been about the transition from the Championship to the Premier League, the past few months have also been about adapting to life in England. So far, the former-Sevilla man has adapted superbly well. The 27-year-old has been a rock in the middle of the Bluebirds midfield.
His passing accuracy (92%) tells you all you need to know about how effective he’s been so far. That level of passing accuracy is right up there with the very best passers in the Premier League. On top of the Chilean’s impressive record, Medel’s 74% tackle success comes as no surprise but impressive all the same. The self-proclaimed ‘Pitbull of Seville’ was renowned for his tackling ability before he came to the Premier League.
Mile Jedinak – Crystal Palace
Although Crystal Palace have been pretty dire so far this season, their captain, Mile Jedinak has excelled at centre-back. The Australian international has been as good as almost any centre-half in the Premier League so far this campaign. The 29-year-old has an impressive passing accuracy (76%), he’s made an important nine defensive actions over the seven Premier League games to-date and the former-Antalyaspor defender has also created six chances for his attackers.
However, none of them three mightily impressive statistics are what Jedinak has impressed mostly about. It’s the Palace defender’s 78% average duels won that has impressed the most from his fine array of statistics for the season up until now. This 78% includes an 84% tackle success rate (26/31) and an 84% heading success rate (32/38). This statistic puts Jedinak in the top level of defenders that have performed so far this season. If only his fellow players could step-up and make this a memorable season for the Aussie.
Sone Aluko – Hull City
Although Sone Aluko hasn’t banged in four or five goals in his first seven games with Hull in the Premier League, one thing he has done is give The Tigers a platform going forward. The 24-year-old has only scored one goal and created three chances including one assist during the seven games to-date but what is impressive is how well Aluko holds up the ball for his team-mates, this is shown perfectly in Aluko’s passing accuracy which stands at 84%.
A player like Aluko fits in perfectly with what Steve Bruce is trying to achieve at the KC Stadium. He gives Bruce an attacking option like not many others give. He’s a very muscular striker and uses his power to great effect, this is shown in his 100% tackle success rate (6/6).
Robbie Brady – Hull City
After seven games, many people have argued that Hull have had the better start to season from all three of the promoted clubs and with The Tigers laying in eighth, it would be difficult to argue otherwise. One of the main reasons for Hull being a top-half team after seven games is key contributions from players such as Robbie Brady.
The Irishman is Hull’s top goalscorer with three Premier League goals, Brady has also created seven chances for his fellow attackers. On top of those two excellent statistics, the 21-year-old’s passing accuracy stands at a mightily effective 79%. This shows exactly what Steve Bruce wants from his attackers: he wants his front-men to shoot and obviously attempt to test the opposition goalkeeper but also pass the ball around. Brady is a key exponent of that.
Tom Huddlestone – Hull City
As Harry Redknapp will tell you in great detail, Tom Huddlestone is a player that has always had an abundance of potential. Getting it out of him is a different matter completely. Because of where the England midfielder prefers to play on the pitch, a manager has to have the confidence in Huddlestone to build a team around him.
Hull City boss Steve Bruce has shown that confidence and as a result is starting to bring the best out of the 26-year-old. Huddlestone brings many different attributes to The Tigers’ game as a whole. How well he can push forward and create chances is a major example. Huddlestone has created nine chances in his seven Premier League games to-date, with one of them turning into an assist.
The former-Tottenham midfielder also has a 77% passing accuracy rate, this shows that Huddlestone has the quality all centre-midfielders must have if they’re to succeed at a high level – an ability to pass the ball around the pitch. As well as the England-man’s ability going forward, he’s also shown that he is more than capable at helping out his defense. Huddlestone has made five defensive actions including 12 interceptions and 18 clearances. An all-round, box-to-box midfielder whose potential is finally unravelling.
