With almost half of the Premier League season already behind us, we as fans have witnessed many star names perform amicably for their clubs over the past few months.
However, whilst the likes of Mo Salah and Bruno Fernandes have stolen the headlines on many occasions, there has certainly been a number of others who have gone under the radar.
So we’ve decided to pick out four players that have caught the eye here at Premier League Central so far this season.
Matty Cash – Aston Villa
23-year-old Matty Cash was brought in from Championship side Nottingham Forest in the summer for the cool price of £16million. Quite a hefty price for a full-back with no previous Premier League experience.
However, that price tag now looks like a bargain given how impressive the energetic Englishman has been for the Villians during his first six months at the club. Cash has swiftly become a fan favourite at Villa Park, much because of his desire to help out both offensively and defensively.
The young defender has also shown great ability when it comes to crossing and has already picked up two Premier League assists so far – the same as Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Despite the vast amount of competition at that right-back spot for the England national team, if Cash is able to keep up this good form, it will only be a matter time before manager Gareth Southgate makes the call.
Kieran Tierney – Arsenal
Arsenal’s struggles this season have been well documented. Mikel Arteta’s side has faced criticism from every angle throughout the season, and fans have not held back voicing their concern.
One shining light for Arsenal fans, however, has been the progress of their Scottish left-back, Kieran Tierney. Despite not always being on the winning side, Tierney has been a mainstay in this Gunners team and has only missed out on one Premier League game so far.
Luckily for Arsenal supporters, the club looks to have turned a corner in recent weeks, and have won each of their last four matches in all competitions – and it comes to no surprise that Tierney has been at the heart of it all, scoring once and assisting a further three.
Fans have also praised the leadership skills of the defender and brought attention to the fact that Tierney was the only player to warm up without gloves (accompanied with short shocks) in their recent trip to the Hawthorns.
No doubt a fan favourite already at the Emirates, at the age of 23, this Scotsman is only going to get better and better.
Daniel Podence – Wolves
Signed from Olympiacos in last year’s January transfer window, Podence was brought in to act as competition for star wide men Adama Traore and Diogo Jota. However, following Jota’s move to Liverpool in the summer, the man brought in from Greece has featured more regularly this season.
Although Wolves haven’t yet reached the scintillating heights of previous campaigns, Podence has certainly lit up Molineux since joining the club. The Portuguese winger has contributed 3 league goals, including winners over both Arsenal and Chelsea.
Blessed with bags of skill and the art of dribbling, the 25-year-old has outperformed fellow teammate Adama Traore in the 2020/21 season, and Wolves fans will be hoping that a recent calf injury doesn’t keep their wizard out for much longer.
Stuart Dallas – Leeds United
Another full-back to have caught the eye is Leeds United’s Stuart Dallas. Appearing in various positions under Marcelo Bielsa, Dallas has been deployed as a right-back, left-back, central midfielder and a right midfielder over the past couple of months.
Adored by both Leeds and Northern Ireland fans alike, the 29-year-old has been Mr Reliable for his manager, missing only 9 minutes of Premier League football since Leeds made their long-awaited return to the top flight.
The trust Bielsa has in him is testament to the veteran’s work rate and ability to hold on to the ball, not forgetting his contribution of 3 goals and an assist as well.
Although you might not see Dallas in many pundit’s ‘team of the season so far’, the versatile defender definitely deserves praise for stepping up to the top division and should be regarded as a major part of the Leeds squad that has earned praise from the media.
