5 players who will play a pivotal role for EPL clubs in the 2015/16 season

Last season, we had Harry Kane sharing the bulk of the goalscoring burden for Tottenham, Esteban Cambiasso steering Leicester away from relegation, David De Gea providing an effective last line of defence and Jose Fonte leading Southampton’s miserly back-line. As we head into the new Premier League season, fans of Premier League clubs will be hoping that certain players can step up and make the difference for their respective clubs.As the season progresses, a club’s best players becomes evident to both the fans and the staff. We profile 5 players who might be crucial to their clubs come the end of the 2015/16 season. 

#5 Nemanja Matic - Chelsea

Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic made the most tackles in the EPL last season

When Matic left Chelsea for Benfica in a cash-plus-player deal for David Luiz, little did he know that one day, he would become the best holding midfielder in the Premier League. Three-and-a-half years later, Luiz left for PSG, having been humiliated by Luis Suarez in the Champions League while Matic has had a stellar season, winning plaudits from commentators, players and fans alike.

Matic is your old-fashioned no-nonsense anchor-man, whose first job is to shield his defence. Known as a “monster” and a “brick wall”, it is very difficult to imagine anyone or anything, getting past Matic en-route to the Chelsea goal.

The 6’4” Serbian was initially a playmaker, having been converted into a defensive midfielder by former Benfica boss Jorge Jesus. Such is his talent that Jose Mourinho declared that he would never have let Matic depart if he was present at the time at the club. 

Last season, Matic made sure he did the dirty work in midfield, cutting passes out, putting important blocks in place, tough-tackling onrushing attackers and intercepting killer through balls. This ensured that the players ahead of him, especially the man beside him, Cesc Fabregas, could concentrate on their attacking duties, with the knowledge that the defence was safe with Matic as the protector.

Matic made a league-high 128 tackles, 13 ahead of his nearest competitor, Nathaniel Clyne. While his best performances came in the Champions League, his performances in the League were not far behind, Matic picking up 6 Man of the Match awards for his efforts.

Chelsea fans and the defence, in particular, will be hoping that Matic can replicate his efforts from the previous season. The “Great Wall of Chelsea” looks the real deal, and could be crucial to Chelsea’s title defence.