The Premier League houses some of the best footballers in the world, weaving their magic week in and week out, dazzling fans in the process. Players like Sadio Mane, Sergio Aguero, David Silva, Harry Kane utilized their chances in the Premier League to become household names.
Though these stars continue to shoulder the bulk of the expectations from the fans every season, the league, however, continues to spring up surprising performances with players breaking through to play at the highest level showcasing determination and consistency.
Here is a look at the top five breakthrough stars to come through the Premier League in 2019-2020.
5. Adama Traore (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Known for his blistering pace and having started his career at Barcelona, a lot was expected from Adama Traore when he arrived in the Premier League. But his performances with Middlesbrough and later at Wolverhampton Wanderers in his first two seasons showed otherwise.
In his first season with Wolves in the Premier League, Traore just started 8 games with wingers like Ivan Cavaleiro preferred to him.
In the current 2019-2020 season, Adama Traore has grown to become a completely different player. Capable of playing anywhere along the right side, his style of playing is very direct.
Often criticized for his final deliveries, Adama Traore has shown great composure and good decision-making skills this season, terrorizing defences and forming a formidable partnership with Raul Jimenez.
In his 28 games this season, the 24-year-old has scored 4 goals and 7 assists to his name. A tackling success rate of around 75% and a dribbling success rate of 74% emphasizes his work rate.
With the Spanish national team in a desperate need of wingers, Adama Traore could just be the trump card Luis Henrique could look upto.
4. Dean Henderson (Sheffield United)
The goalkeeper on loan from Manchester United has developed into one of the best goalkeepers in the league this season.
Henderson’s performances speak volumes for his talent as he currently holds 10 clean sheets in the 27 games he has featured in, leaving him only behind Nick Pope who currently has 11 clean sheets.
The 23-year-old custodian has a save percentage of 76% and concedes less than a goal a game showing his impressive transition from championship football this season. His performances have earned him England call-ups during the Euro 2020 qualification.
Another season with a stellar performance could see his stakes rise in the pecking order of goalkeepers for the national team. Who knows, maybe one day Henderson may line-up in the category of best goalkeepers in the world.
3. Dominic Calvert Lewin (Everton)
Another young England star taking giant steps towards stardom is Dominic Calvert Lewin. The Everton forward has been with the side since the 2016-2017 season but has come of age this season.
In the 22 starts this season, he has scored an impressive 13 goals with a combined goal and assist ratio of 0.66 every game. Calvert Lewin’s stats of 13 goals this season is more than his combined tally of goals for the previous three seasons, emphasizing his contribution to the Everton side in 2019-20.
8 of his 13 goals have come under the reign of Carlo Ancelotti, where the 23-year-old has formed a formidable strike force with Richarlison.
A young striker, capable of winning aerial duels, running behind defensive lines and his tireless work rate could potentially make him the striker Everton has been missing since the departure of Romelu Lukaku.
2. Reece James (Chelsea)
A right-back by trade, Reece James has turned out to be the solution Frank Lampard was looking for to resurrect his defensive issues.
Post the departure of David Luiz and the transfer ban imposed on Chelsea, Frank Lampard was forced to look at his younger players to step up to the first team.
With Marcos Alonso and Emerson, not the first choice left-backs due to their defensive frailties, Lampard moved Azpilicueta to the left-back position paving the way for James to start in the right-back slot.
It is fair to say that James has not looked back since then. With 17 appearances to his name this season, James boasts a tackle success rate of 70% with 69 ball recoveries to his name.
He has also come up with two assists to his name in the league this season against Burnley and Aston Villa.
The Englishman is also a versatile player capable of playing left-back as well as the defensive midfield position. A young talent, showcasing tremendous hunger to improve, are only good signs for Chelsea fans to look forward to in the seasons ahead.
1. Tammy Abraham (Chelsea)
Tammy Abraham has grabbed the opportunity given to him by the management with both hands.
Handed a transfer ban before the start of the season and following the departure of arguably one of the best players to grace the Premier League in Eden Hazard, things were looking gloomy for Chelsea as their choices were limited to only Olivier Giroud up top supported by Willian in the wings.
However, Frank Lampard chose to side with Abraham. He has gone on to start 23 of his 25 games this season, going on to score 13 goals and contributing 3 assists. The Englishman has an impressive shot accuracy of 45% this season and is a threat in both penalty boxes.
Abraham has an impressive 20 headed clearances this season highlighting his presence while defending corners.
These performances impressed Gareth Southgate who gave him his competitive debut against Montenegro where he marked his appearance scoring from a Jadon Sancho cross.
If Tammy Abraham continues this wonderful start, he will go on to lead the line for Chelsea for years to come.
Eddie Kennison famously said, “When opportunity presents itself, don’t be afraid to go after it.”
These football players have grabbed the opportunity with both their hands and have gone on to establish their names for their clubs and countries.
Stats Source: Premier League and FbRef.com
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