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| David Silva is one of three players changing the face of the English game |
In the past, fans of the fabled ‘number 10’ had to look
towards a number of Europe’s major leagues; La Liga, Serie A and the Bundesliga
were where the best of the best plied their trade, not only because of the
significance of the respective divisions, but also because of the sheer
physicality of the Premiership meant it was difficult for the certain type of
player to succeed in England.
Not anymore however, in Italy they are labelled the Trequartista, or ‘three-quarters’, and
some of the greats in the role include Roberto Baggio, Alessandro Del Piero and
Francesco Totti. In Spain you only to have to look at both Barcelona and Real Madrid,
both of which can rely on Andres Iniesta and Mesut Ozil, respectively, to
fulfil the role while in Germany, young Mario Gotze, recently linked with
Arsenal, has been hogging the headlines with a number of excellent displays
that have thrust him into the limelight, winning 12 caps for the German
national team despite only being 19-years-old.
Back within the confides of England, three players
instantly spring to mind when the term ‘playmaker’ is mentioned; David Silva,
Juan Mata and Luka Modric. The trio have all made sustained impacts for their
clubs since the season began and it is hardly surprising to see Manchester
City, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, respectively, performing so well when the aforementioned
three have been part of the starting XI.
Firstly, it is David Silva that falls under the
microscope. The light-footed Spaniard has been in scintillating form for City
as they sit five points clear of second placed Manchester United at the summit
of the Premiership. Having arrived in 2010 for a fee of around £24m from
Valencia, it could be argued that the 25-year-old initially struggled to adapt
to the rigours of the Premiership.
Looking rather frail when up against some of the leagues
hard-hitters, it wouldn’t be long before the Spanish international begun to
adapt to the league. Or rather, the league has had to adapt to accommodate Silva.
This season has seen the best of the player and there is more to come from him.
Plaudits up and down the country have been salivating at his displays, in both
the Premiership and the Champions League.
With the capability to drive at defences with his
excessive pace, low centre of gravity and terrific dribbling ability, Silva has
combined the above attributes with his exceptional vision and keen eye for a
back-four splitting pass to turn into one of the league’s better performers. And
having already equalled his league goal tally from last season, while
contributing two less assists before December, many are expecting Silva to be
in with a large shout for PFA Player of the Year.
With that in mind, compatriot Juan Mata is next under the
spotlight and, following his summer move from Valencia to Chelsea, looks to
have taken to the Premiership like a duck to water. Heavily linked with Arsenal
and Tottenham during the transfer window, it was the Blues who stumped up the
£23.5m required to bring the 23-year-old to Stamford Bridge.
Similar to Silva, both in a positional sense and style of
play, the player of the U-21 European Championships already two league goals
and four assists to his name, very impressive considering he has only played
nine times for his new club. Often utilised as a winger under Andre Villas-Boas
at Chelsea, his trickery and flair has helped his new club to fifth in the
table.
And it is these moments of brilliance that have often
helped ease the ever growing pressure on the Portuguese tactician. His
performances for the West London side, like Silva, has won him plaudits up and
down the country from his peers, pundits and fans alike. Even though positioned
out wide, the France born Spanish international wouldn’t look at all out of
place in the middle of the park, pulling the strings behind a front-man in a
4-2-3-1 formation.
Finally, a player who doesn’t look at all out of place in
centre-midfield; Luke Modric. The Croatian moved to White Hart Lane and, like
Silva, initially struggled to adjust to the physical aspect of the English
league. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger claims he could have signed the
26-year-old before 2008 but turned down the opportunity because he felt Modric
didn’t look up to surviving the rigours of the Premiership.
Compared to his performances over the past 18 months,
Wenger couldn’t have been further from the truth. Often churning out displays
of the highest quality, Modric has been linked with the White Hart Lane exit
door countless times, especially over the summer when Chelsea were reported to
have lodged a £40m bid in order to secure his services.
Spurs held firm and resisted the temptation to sell and
they are certainly reaping the rewards with the North London side currently settled
in third spot in the league. His hard work ethic and, despite his fragile appearance,
tough-tackling capabilities has enabled Modric to establish himself as one of
the league finest centre-midfielders. Also comfortable out wide, although Spurs
lose his creative influence when he is shifted out to the right or left, allows
for Harry Redknapp to alter his tactics around the diminutive schemer should
the need arise.
The three players that look to be shaping the Premier
League for the better. Their respective ability, coupled with the slight
exterior, could see an influx of similar players making the move to England due
to the success of the trio and with it, improving the already exemplary standards
of the country’s football top tier.
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