by ‘Ifreke Inyang

We started the YNaija EPL Countdown with our top 5 signings of the summer. We are basically making our predictions, for what already promises to be yet another spectacular season of football.

Football is all about goals. Plenty of them. Who are those players that we think will top the scoring charts come May 2013?

Here’s our top five choices:

 

1. Robin van Persie – Manchester United
Arsenal announced on Monday that they have agreed on a fee with Manchester United for their captain. The deal is now subject to a medical report and, of course, agreement on some personal terms. Let’s face it: Van Persie, if his glassy bones do not act up, is already a United player. A forward blessed with supreme technique and brilliant movement, the Dutchman scored 30 goals last season. And who are we, to put our mortgage on him not having another stellar season with his new team?

2. Lukas Podolski – Arsenal
‘Prince Poldi’, as he is fondly called, is the man that will likely step into Van Persie’s (big) shoes at the Emirates. The German striker, who has represented his adopted country over a 100 times, has the ability to step into those shoes. And he showed Gooners, a glimpse of what to expect last weekend, as he grabbed a fine brace against his former team, FC Cologne.

3. Wayne Rooney – Manchester United
Rooney is United’s main man. His versatility, has seen him strike lethal attacking partnerships with Carlos Tevez, Cristiano Ronaldo, Dimitar Berbatov, Louis Saha, etc. And with Van Persie walking through the door next, every defender in the Premiership, is now on his toes. Rooney and Van Persie, if paired together, with swap the ‘classic 9′ and ’10’ positions, feeding off each other.

4. Fernando Torres – Chelsea
With Didier Drogba’s move to Shenhua Shanghai, the mantle has inevitably fallen on Fernando Torres. The Spaniard, has failed to live up to the huge transfer fee so far, struggling in the Ivorian’s shadow. But now the spotlight is on him and he is the number one striker at Stamford Bridge. With the arrival of Hazard and Oscar, Torres can bank on more creativity from the midfield to get the goals.

5. Luis Suarez – Liverpool
Whether you agree or not, Luis Suarez, is one of the best strikers that we currently have in the English league. Tricky, quick-footed, and pacy, the Uruguayan is a handful on his day. Brendan Rodgers is well known for his adherence to the pass-and-move football, a brand that will suit the former Ajax striker. And with a bigger strike partner, Borini, to feed off, he is sure to sparkle in the new campaign.

 

 

So, what did you think of our choices? Were we spot on?