Top 5 players in the bottom half of the Premier League this season
The gap between the so-called big teams in the Premier League and those lower in the table appears to be widening: it could be claimed that there is now a clear ‘top 6’ teams, battling out for the league title and the top 4 Champions League spots (Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Arsenal).
These clubs have the greater resources, the bigger support and can attract a higher calibre of talent. That is not to say that the rest of the league is worthless, though. Teams near the bottom end of the table might be struggling collectively, with teams like West Ham are struggling despite being tipped to do well at the start of the season.
Within these sides are many players of better quality than their team’s league position would suggest, and would be a loss to the Premier League if they were to suffer relegation.
This slideshow will look at the 5 best players in the lower half of the Premier League table, the best 5 players in the bottom 10 teams capable of playing at a higher level, even a ‘top 6’ side.
#1 Wilfried Zaha
On his day, Crystal Palace’s winger is electrifying to watch. There are few better players in the league, even Europe, at beating an opposing player one-on-one; perhaps only Chelsea’s Eden Hazard is a better dribbler than him.
Zaha has played for a bigger side before but his spell at Manchester United was short-lived, more a result of not being given a fair chance under David Moyes. Pep Guardiola is known to be a fan, though, which should tell one all they need to know. Zaha is a bit too similar in playing style to Raheem Sterling for a move to Manchester City to be imminent, but there is no question that he is capable of playing for a ‘top 6’ side.
Tottenham and Arsenal certainly do not currently have better natural wingers in their first team. Crystal Palace has struggled this season, especially at first under manager Frank de Boer, but the one constant was the rousing performances on the right from Zaha. With better teammates surrounding him, the player could easily be an elite Premier League player for years to come.