GN Soccer Magazine September 2014 Edition | Page 11

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side, or instead be forced to operate from the right wing with Sanchez
more central? Either way, it seems baffling that Walcott is now Arsenal's
second longest-serving player, joining a week after Abou Diaby.

2) Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea)
With the jury still out on Diego Costa's
potential success at Stamford Bridge,
there is a great deal of confidence that
Cesc Fabregas may be a whole lot more
dependable. It should just be a joy to see
him back in the Premier League.
"Frank is the history of the club, history nobody can forget," Jose Mourinho
stated recently. "Fabregas is the future; history is history but the future is
more important at the moment. My opinion, and the opinion of my players,
is that Fabregas is the right player to occupy that central position in midfield." Playing alongside Nemanja Matic and linking with Willian, Eden Hazard and Oscar, it's a mouthwatering prospect. After being forced into a
more attacking position with Barcelona, and slightly suffering for that
move, now is the chance to see Fabregas in his best position. The Spaniard
already has 71 Premier League assists despite leaving for Spain at the age
of 24 - odds of 14/1 on him providing the most assists this season could
prove a very shrewd bet.

1) Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool)
It's far, far too easy to get excited in preseason, but watching Philippe Coutinho's
performance against Dortmund last weekend will have given Liverpool fans hope
that the post-Suarez era may not be as
glum as many naysayers predict. Operating in a No. 10 role behind Daniel Sturridge, the Brazilian was wonderful.
"His ability is just magical," Brendan Rodgers said after the game. "His
ability to get out of tight situations, his view of the game. That's his best
position too - playing between the lines. He will show at that (Champions
League) level that he is a top player." The arrivals following Suarez's departure may well prove many doubters wrong, but there seems little doubt
that potentially Liverpool's most exciting talent was already at the club.
Coutinho is ready to step into the Anfield limelight - it could make for particularly attractive viewing.
By Daniel Storey.

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