Who are the most in form EPL players over the off/pre-season?

[mcuzzy]

I've seen Kun and Yaya Toure have been playing very well but I haven't had much chance to watch many games at all.

Who has been playing the best? and are there any sites that have stats for teams on tour or playing friendlies?

 

[Peter Sidorkiewicz]

Giovani is doing well at the Olympics. Too bad he can't get a game at spurs.

 

[Magma]

some i've been impressed with from us

carlos - lost the fat, training his arse off, been involved in almost every pre season game. he and aguero have linked up well
yaya - storming. just picking up where he left off last season
nir biton - israeli lad who has played next to yaya, is a big, deep lying play maker, almost a white yaya toure with passing kinda like xabi alonso. hopefully we can get a work permit for him (doubt it) because he would make great backup
rekik - looked calm and assured when defending as well as on the ball. should play more games especially if we do decide to go for the 3-5-2 formation during the season.

others have looked good/played a good game but those 4 have stood out for me from us more than most.

 

[moomba]

I'd add Lopes to that list as well. Probably not ready for a major role in the premier league at 16, but it wouldn't surprise me to see him get the odd appearance off the bench.

Kolarov has been pretty good in the pre-season too.

 

[jbass002]

No one from sunderland.

 

[EBCantona]

Kagawa is looking very good so far

 

[thecatattack]

Stewart Downing. He kicked a goal!

 

[ADL9798]

For us Shelvey has been very impressive, if he continues his preseason form (& end of season form last year) into the regular season it will do a lot to negate the disappointment of missing out on Sigurdsson. For a guy his age, he plays with so much confidence (perhaps too much at times, he must think he's Zidane some of the things he tries to pull off). Barring a significant signing in his position I'm expecting him to play a lot of football as Gerrard's understudy this season.

Of course everyone's heard about Suso, he's been fantastic for Spain in the U19 Euro's and really hit the ground running on his return with some great performances on the preseason tour followed up by 4 goals in his last 2 games for the reserves. He's playing like he's got a point to prove which is good to see, but I think because he plays more centrally than Sterling (a position which requires greater strength and discipline than out on the wing where raw speed may mask immature positional sense), he probably won't feature as much for the 1st team this year - it wouldn't surprise me if he went out on loan.

 

[mcuzzy]

Stewart Downing. He kicked a goal!

oh bullshit!

i heard dyer from swansea has been superb as has graham.

sigurdsson in good form for spurs.

fabio has been playing as more of a winger for QPR which is interesting

petric also in good form

it's too hard to judge how these players will go during the season though as pre-season is always just a bit of a warm up

 

[Flameboy]

Hazard

 

[jod23]

For us Shelvey has been very impressive, if he continues his preseason form (& end of season form last year) into the regular season it will do a lot to negate the disappointment of missing out on Sigurdsson. For a guy his age, he plays with so much confidence (perhaps too much at times, he must think he's Zidane some of the things he tries to pull off). Barring a significant signing in his position I'm expecting him to play a lot of football as Gerrard's understudy this season.

Of course everyone's heard about Suso, he's been fantastic for Spain in the U19 Euro's and really hit the ground running on his return with some great performances on the preseason tour followed up by 4 goals in his last 2 games for the reserves. He's playing like he's got a point to prove which is good to see, but I think because he plays more centrally than Sterling (a position which requires greater strength and discipline than out on the wing where raw speed may mask immature positional sense), he probably won't feature as much for the 1st team this year - it wouldn't surprise me if he went out on loan.

Pretty much this. The standout has clearly been young Jonjo Shelvey. I hope he can continue his form into the season proper, right now if I were selecting the side, he would get a gig in midfield before Hendo and Adam.

As you said Suso was terrific at the U19's, then great on the American tour and has since scored 4 times in 2 reserve matches. Despite all this, he wasnt taken to Belarus for the EL qualifier. Much to his annoyance or so was said. Watch him leave for Barcelona in 12 months time.

Sterling has been good too, still floats in and out of games, but when he floats in, he creates havoc. Massive future for him.

Apart from that, havent seen enough from regular first teamers as they all came back late from Euro's or Olympics. Gerrard, Hendo, Kelly, Johnson, Carroll, Reina, Lucas (through injury), Suarez, Coates, Bellamy, Downing all played very little on the US tour. So will see more in the coming second leg of the EL qualifier and then another friendly before we meet WBA.

 

[mcuzzy]

what sort of role is shelvey playing?

 

[jod23]

what sort of role is shelvey playing?

He is playing as a central midfielder/attacking midfielder. He sits in the middle and dictates play but splashes forward with aplomb. When he first got onto the scene he was touted as a mini Gerrard. He kind of plays like Gerrard but is probably not as athletic.

 

[Maryusdemetry]

Kolarov and Kagawa

 

[HolyRioli]

Suarez was fantastic the other night against Gomel

 

[DM36]

Sigurdsson is doing really well for spurs
Cisse for QPR

 

[jod23]

Suarez was fantastic the other night against Gomel

He was a one man wrecking crew.

Shelvey continues to impress. Check out Sterling's goal v Bayer Leverkusen last night. Cracker.

 

[mcuzzy]

Man city fans, will aguero be starting the majority of games you think? tevez looks like he's on fire

 

[Magma]

both will start the majority

 

[Coledinho]

Momo Diame has been the standout. Was probably one of the best players at the Olympics in a attacking midfielder role. Outside of that no one stands out but our squad has been all over the shop + we have alot of injuries + we are trying alot of youngsters out.