The Dark Horse XI of the upcoming EPL season - players who can turn the fortunes of their teams

Every season in the Barclays Premier League, the world fixates its gaze and salivates at the prospect of watching the top brass play week in and week out.

Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Juan Mata, Steven Gerrard, Theo Walcott, Gareth Bale, Frank Lampard to name a few, constitute the list of stars in focus.

But every season a few players emerge who mange to take the stage by storm. Be it Luka Modric in the 2008-09 season or Demba Ba and Javier Hernandez in the 2011-12 season or more recently the likes of Christian Benteke and Michu last season; players who rise from virtual obscurity to fulfill their potential, professionals who catch the breath of viewers and make a huge difference in the fortunes of their teams, the perennial ‘dark horses’.

Here is a list of players in the English game who are relatively lesser known or even hidden from the public glare but can go on and become the beacon of light for their teams.

1) Simon Mignolet (Liverpool)

Simon Mignolet joined Liverpool in a 9 million pound move

The Belgian international shot stopper has joined Liverpool in a 9 million pound move this summer. With eleven clean sheets to his name last season, Mignolet can be credited as one of the major reasons for Sunderland staying in the Premier League.

Beating former Newcastle United ‘keeper Craig Gordon to the number one spot in the 2011-12 season, this keeper who also has a goal to his name on Belgian soil, played all 38 matches last year.

Mignolet has shown tremendous signs of improvement lately, progressing in leaps and bounds. And with Liverpool amidst a major overhaul at the back, it is only natural that he is bound to impress.