The Premier League is only six games in, but that is plenty of time for players to start to make their mark on the season. There are certain players you know will perform. Robin Van Persie will score you goals, whilst Joe Hart will keep them out. John Terry will captain Chelsea if he’s available and Steven Gerrard will bleed Liverpool red whenever he wears the shirt. But its around this time that you start to get a clue who the latest players to step up their games are, the players who are stamping their authority on their team, country or both. Here are five of the best breakout stars so far this season:
Raheem Sterling – Liverpool
Seventeen year old Raheem Sterling has been something of a breathe of fresh air to Liverpool, and a silver lining on a somewhat disappointing start to the season. Born in Jamaica, but raised in England, the Liverpool youth team product was given his chance this season by new boss Brendan Rogers. He not only ran with it, he dribbled and crossed it too. He’s just received his first call-up to England U-21’s with journalists signalling he’ll likely make his full England debut before the end of the season.
Rafael da Silva – Manchester United
This is Rafael’s fifth season in the Manchester United first team, but its the first time he has truly made the right back position his own. Possibly started the season due to the injuries to Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, Rafael has showed greater levels of maturity that Manchester United desperately need during a rocky beginning to the season. United’s only worry will be keeping the young Brazilian fit from injuries which have plagued his time at Old Trafford. If they keep him fit, expect him to make the RB spot his own, for club and country.
Steven Fletcher – Sunderland
Scottish International striker, Steven Fletcher, signed for Sunderland from Wolves for a massive fee of £12 million. Many poeple scoffed at the business by Martin O’Neill as Fletcher had been somewhat of a disappointment at Burnley and Wolves since his move from Hibernian in 2009. But, in true dramatic fashion, Fletcher has crammed those words firmly down everyones necks by scoring five times in the four games he’s played for Sunderland so far this season, giving them the prolific striker they’ve desperately needed since Darren Bent left. Already recalled to the Scotland squad, if Fletcher can keep this up he’ll seem like an absolute steal.
Matthew Lowton – Aston Villa
Former Sheffield United right back Matthew Lowton has been something of a revelation since his move from United in the summer. He was Paul Lambert’s second buy as Villa manager and has been an integral part of the Villains season so far at right back. Tipped to be a future England right-back, the 23 year old is relishing in his first season in the Premier League and looks to have a long and healthy career ahead of him.
Steven Caulker – Spurs
The highly touted, giant centre-back and one of the stars of the Team GB squad during the Olympics, Caulker is starting to break his way into the first team at White Hart Lane. Massively rated by fellow pro’s and pundits alike, Caulker is a England U-21 mainstay and, if he can solidify a spot for Spurs, almost certain to claim a full England cap sooner rather than later. If his season with Swansea on loan in 2011-12 is anything to go by, Spurs will have unearthed a beauty from their youth team.