Three former Championship stars who have taken the Premier League by storm
Wolverhampton Wanderers, Cardiff City and Fulham secured promotion to the Premier League after consistent displays in the Championship last season. While Wolves won the title playing an attractive brand of football under manager Nuno Espirito Santos, Cardiff City finished as runners-up and both teams secured direct promotion to the Premier League. Fulham, meanwhile, finished third and successfully overcame the playoffs to secure promotion.
The newly-promoted teams have shown plenty of character this season and have managed to put up some impressive performances. Wolves have continued their merry way in the top-flight with resilient performances to hold teams like Everton and Manchester City to draws. They also picked up their first win against West Ham United courtesy an injury-time winner.
Fulham managed to resurrect their campaign with a 4-2 win over Burnley and followed it up with a 2-2 draw against Brighton but succumbed to a 3-0 loss to Manchester City this weekend.
As far as Cardiff City are concerned, they were impressive in their 3-2 defeat to Arsenal.
With that in mind, here are three players from newly-promoted outfits who have taken the Premier League by storm.
1. Aleksandar Mitrovic
The 23-year-old Serbian joined Fulham on loan from Newcastle United in January and helped the Cottagers significantly in their quest for promotion. As a result, his stay at the club was made permanent for a fee of £22m and he has been given the No.9 shirt for the season.
In the game against Burnley, the Serbian got on the scoresheet twice and played a key role in the team’s 4-2 victory. He has utilized his towering 6ft 2 inches stature to good effect and has been deadly with his headers so far. In fact, three out of his four goals have come from headers.
Mitrovic used his good presence of mind and headed in Ryan Sessegnon’s low cross from the flanks in the second game against Tottenham Hotspur. The Serbian has shown good positional sense and was present at the back post to head in Tom Cairney’s perfectly-measured chip ball as well.
The 23-year-old used every bit of his strength against Brighton & Hove Albion, driving past defenders to make spaces for himself. Hence, the Cottagers have all reasons to expect more from him.
2. Ruben Neves
The 21-year-old Portuguese midfielder played a key role for Wolves last season in the Championship and has managed to take his game to a new level in the Premier League this season. He already has a goal and an assist to his name and the youngster seems to be on an upwards trajectory of form.
Neves found the top corner of the net from a curling free-kick in the first game against Everton and set up Willy Boly with a delightful cross for his team’s opening goal in the 1-1 draw to Manchester City at home.
Not only can he play as a sweeper for the rearguard with his ball interception skills but he also has the ability to play as a deep-lying playmaker. He has efficiently kept the ball moving in the midfield and can switch the play with his impressive range of passing. His ball distribution skills are a treat to watch.
3. Adama Traore
The 22-year-old winger is yet to start a game this season but he has already scored the most valuable goal for Wolves so far. An injury-time winner against West Ham United guaranteed their first win of the ongoing campaign.
Traore was a standout performer for Middlesbrough last season in the Championship with 5 goals and 10 assists. He has shown glimpses of his brilliance in the limited play time he has received this term.
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As a matter of fact, Traore has the best dribbling stats in the Premier League thus far. Traore is currently the best dribbler in the Premier League and has made 12 successful dribbles so far. Only Eden Hazard (14) has more dribbles to his name but the Belgian has enjoyed a lot more play time as compared to Traore.
