The Premier League is back! And this week's edition of the Friday 5iver looks at the likes of Ademola Lookman, Raphinha and more!
It’s been interesting watching how different Premier League clubs are dipping into the mid-season January transfer window. Teams are experiencing squad issues amid long-term injuries, COVID-19 outbreaks and players away on international duty. This past week has seen minimal league football with the 3rd round of the FA Cup, semi-finals of the EFL Cup and the start of AFCON all going ahead. At long last, we finally have a full set of English Premier League fixtures to sink our teeth into.
Here are a few Premier League hitmen that may just give you more bang for your buck!
The Fighter
No Premier League midfielder has scored more than Raphinha’s 8 league goals this season. In their previous league outing, the Leeds star hit the woodwork as his side put 3 past Burnley – this was the first time they scored 3 goals in a league match this season. Leeds next face on West Ham for the second time this week (following their 3rd round FA cup clash) and Raphinha will key if the Yorkshire club are to avenge their 2-0 loss in that one.
Raphinha has scored as many league goals as Norwich this season #lufc pic.twitter.com/NVFR7ru3i2
— Tommo (@LUFC1992_v2) January 12, 2022
The Wizard
Harry Kane has had a relatively quiet 2021/22 Premier League campaign in front of goal. The three-time Golden Boot winner has netted just four times over his 17 league appearances this season. Despite this, only Mo Salah has registered more shots on target. Tottenham do battle against Arsenal this weekend and if history is anything to go by, Harry Kane will get on the score sheet. The striker is the outright top scorer in North London derbies across all competitions.
Harry Kane vs Chelsea (H) pic.twitter.com/SnZLfgwlN4
— ً (@hardrugsplease) January 13, 2022
The Giant
Romelu Lukaku has got a point to prove. Prior to his comments in that interview (which got him excluded from Chelsea’s matchday squad to face Liverpool), the forward had bagged five league goals from just eight shots on target and hit the woodwork twice! On a side note, Chelsea have scored five goals after 90 mins (which is the most of all league clubs), so Lukaku as an anytime scorer may be worth every penny when they face City.
Romelu Lukaku says it is up to him to "restore trust" after making a public apology to #CFC head coach Thomas Tuchel, his team-mates and the club’s supporters over his recent interview 🎙💬
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 5, 2022
The Hunter
Kevin De Bruyne has been making up for lost time. Following his recovery from a long-term injury, De Bruyne has started City’s previous 5 league fixtures and has hit the ground running. The midfielder scored 3 goals, hit the woodwork once and registered an assist across those 5 league outings. City are on an impressive run which has seen them win their previous 11 league fixtures and De Bruyne has shown us that he is capable of taking matters into his own hands. It’ll be interesting to see how well he handles Chelsea’s industrious midfield.
🗣 @DeBruyneKev says jump. You say 𝗚𝗢𝗔𝗟. pic.twitter.com/LO7T3n3OSD
— City Report (@cityreport_) January 7, 2022
The Trickster
Ademola Lookman is in primed to build on his two goals and two assists registered over his previous three appearances across all competitions. The forward will surely get a starting place in the coming weeks, considering Leicester are without Jamie Vardy (hamstring injury) and Kelechi Iheanacho (international duty). With only five top-flight clubs scoring more than Leicester have, I back Lookman to find the back of the net again sooner rather than later.
Ademola Lookman's past 210 minutes played (3 games):
— Matchday365 (@Matchday365) January 8, 2022
• 2 goals
• 2 assists
• 2 big chances created
• 4 key passes
• 7 dribbles completed
• 3 interceptions
• 4 tackles
• 15 ground duels won
• 100% crossing accuracy
• 100% take-on success
INSANE numbers 🔥 pic.twitter.com/DXEoI8pbLL
