Players from Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers, Norwich City, Sunderland, Tottenham Hotspur, Bolton Wanderers and West Brom all feature on our list.
Danny Guthrie (Newcastle)
The Liverpool youth academy graduate is having his best season yet at Newcastle United. He has been given a regular run on games in the side thanks to Cheik Tiote’s absence through injury and international duty and has not let the side down. He has one league goal this season, coming in a defeat away to Fulham. He may not be the most showy player but he works hard and is a reliable performer in the centre of midfield.
Steven N’Zonzi (Blackburn)
N’Zonzi is a player who will be wanted by bigger clubs whether Blackburn survive relegation or not. He has been a consistent performer in the centre of midfield at Ewood Park and scored one goal and provided another in a crucial six-pointer against QPR last time out. He has been one of the first names on Steve Kean’s team sheet, playing 90 minutes on all but two occasions in the league this season.
Elliott Bennett (Norwich)
Bennett is a tricky winger signed from Brighton in the summer where he provided 17 assists in their promotion from League One. He took a few weeks to make his impact felt at Carrow Road, but is now one of the Canaries more reliable performers. With Grant Holt and Steve Morison relying on good service into the box, Bennett’s crosses are vital, and he created two assists in the side’s 3-2 win against Swansea in their last match.
Simon Mignolet (Sunderland)
The form of Belgian goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has been crucial in Sunderland’s revival under Martin O’Neill. He spent several games out of the since getting back into the side have been vital, keeping five clean sheets in his last seven games. He is up against Ireland international Keiran Westwood and injured Scottish international Craig Gordon so he will have to maintain his form to be sure of his place.
Younes Kaboul (Tottenham)
While Tottenham’s attacking players have earned the plaudits, Kaboul has been a rock at the back for Spurs this season. With Michael Dawson missing a large run of games through injury and William Gallas and Ledley King constantly nursing niggles, Kaboul is looking like the player he was originally brought to be. He did not feature in games against Liverpool and Newcastle but he has played the full 90 minutes in as many as 20 league games so far.
Mark Davies (Bolton)
Davies is a player many believe could excel at a top club. Nevertheless he remains at Bolton, where in recent weeks he has been one of their best players. He scored a terrific goal against Wigan and netted previously in the club’s 3-1 win over Liverpool. If Bolton have a chance of survival they need him to continue his hot run of form.
James Morrison (West Brom)
Morrison’s performances have meant West Brom have hardly missed the injured Chris Brunt. He provided two assists in the recent 5-1 demolition of Wolves and struck a crucial goal in a 2-1 win over Blackburn in December. It would be interesting to see how the consistent midfielder would perform at a so-called ‘bigger club’, but for now he remains an integral part of Roy Hodgson’s side.
Who else should be on our list?
image: © Ronnie Macdonald
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
