SANTI CAZORLA (Arsenal)
The midfielder may also rival Gareth Bale for the best dive of the season after winning a penalty against West Brom, but he made an immediate impact when he joined Arsenal and has continued to impress. England’s Jack Wilshere can only learn from playing with the diminutive Spaniard (right), whose balance, vision and ball control is simply a pleasure to watch.
Steven Nzonzi (Stoke City)
I struggled to see the point of Nzonzi (right) at Blackburn but all has become
clear since his switch to Stoke. Big and strong, he looks tailor-made for Tony Pulis’ side, but there is far more to him than brawn. His composure on the ball and distribution are qualities Stoke have been crying out for in central midfield. Nearly everything goes through him.
MICHU (Swansea)
Considering Michael Laudrup’s extensive experience of European football, Michu was hardly a discovery, but in an era when foreign players are given six months to settle, he took to life in the Premier League straight away.
Signed from Rayo Vallecano for £2.2million, 13 league goals so far is a remarkable return. Shows desire, application and the right attitude.
Good on him.
Sebastien Bassong (Norwich)
The Cameroon centre back (left) was a snip at under £3m. He is the leader of Norwich’s defence and a big factor in why they are over-achieving. A calming influence and set-piece threat, having scored three.
STEVEN FLETCHER (Sunderland)
Martin O’Neill’s No 1 summer target has shown fans what all the fuss was about and in the early weeks of the season his goals kept Sunderland afloat.
JAN VERTONGHEN (Tottenham)
When Ledley King’s knees finally gave way, Tottenham looked short of class at the back but Vertonghen has stepped in. The former Ajax captain is comfortable on the ball and, though not the fastest, makes up for it by reading the game well. Can provide cover at left back and is a threat going forward as he proved by scoring the opener in the win at Old Trafford. His £10m price tag has been easily justified.
Luka Modric, who left Tottenham for Real Madrid after protracted negotiations, and Alex Song, who signed for Barcelona from Arsenal, were the worst rated, with Modric gaining 32.2 per cent of the vote. – Daily Mail