Rahul NareshWide players are extremely effective when it comes to taking on opposition fullbacks, getting into the box and amongst the goals. They also play a crucial role in putting the ball into the box for strikers to feed on.
In terms of determining the best wingers in the league, of course, goals and assists play a huge role in ranking these players. Apart from just statistical tools, however, consideration must also be given to teams that these players play for and against and just the sheer difficulty for certain wingers to get in amongst the goals.
The following are my top 10 Premier League wingers of the 2021/22 season.
Also Read – Top 5 Premier League goalkeepers of the 2021/22 season
10. Raphinha (LEEDS UNITED)
As far as fantasy picks go, few look past the Leeds United winger, Raphinha. He is certainly one of those players who can make something happen from nothing and was by far one of Leeds’ best players. It was extremely imperative that the side survived relegation in order to have any chance of keeping Raphinha at the club.
Raphinha seems to be improving progressively. His number showed an upward trend last season; he finished off with eleven goals and three assists in the league. Furthermore, he is the man that Leeds look towards when in need of magic.
Last season, Raphinha averaged over five progressive passes in a game, a healthy number for a team battling relegation. Although Leeds ended up safe, it is safe to say that Raphinha could walk away from the club if the right offer does come along.
9. Wilfried Zaha (CRYSTAL PALACE)
At number nine on this list is one player who often finds himself close to a move to one of the big clubs, but the move never seems to come off in the end.
Wilfried Zaha has had yet another successful campaign with Crystal Palace under new manager Patrick Vieira. It certainly looks like things are moving in an upward trajectory for Palace. Zaha, their main man, is often the key to a good season for the London club. This time round, he scored fourteen goals in the Premier League and provided one assist. Although his goal tally is quite good, he scored five penalties out of the fourteen goals, pushing him down the list. However, Zaha falls within the top ten percentile of players who rate the highest for successful dribbles leading to goals. He loves to pick the ball up and run at the opposition; although he is likely to fail more than succeed, this trait is what helps him stand out from the rest.
8. Bukayo Saka (ARSENAL)
At number eight is Arsenal’s young gun Bukayo Saka. The Gunners saw an upturn in form after their poor start to the season, and although they finished outside the top four, the future is looking bright for the Gunners, who will look to carry on fielding their young players in the coming season.
Saka seems to be linking well with the likes of Martin Ødegaard, the two forming a duo that will be key to Arsenal’s success in the future.. The kid from Hale End scored eleven times this season and assisted on seven occasions. Saka looks deadly while driving with the ball and will play an essential role in years to come.
7. Emmanuel Dennis (WATFORD)
Watford ended the season in disappointing form and eventually crashed out of the Premier League. The changes in management did not help their cause. However, Emmanuel Dennis shone as their one shining light throughout the campaign. If they are to return to the Premier League next season, they not only need to keep hold of Dennis but will also have to deploy him in the right areas. Dennis ended the season as Watford’s leading goal scorer with ten league goals. He also bagged six assists to his name.
6. Raheem Sterling (MANCHESTER CITY)
Among the leading goalscorers for Man City and a player on the wings, Raheem Sterling has performed consistently whenever called upon by the Cityzens. He, too, just like Riyad Mahrez, is not guaranteed a position on the left-hand side, given the competition he faces from Jack Grealish and Phil Foden.
However, Sterling netted on thirteen occasions this season and provided five assists. He also performed considerably better than his direct rival for the position, Jack Grealish.
5. Riyad Mahrez (MANCHESTER CITY)
Up next on the list is Riyad Mahrez. The left-footed Algerian is incredibly silky with the ball at his feet and can cause serious problems for any left-sided defender in the world. Although a start isn’t guaranteed for Mahrez in a Man City side filled with stars, he performed incredibly well this season.
Mahrez scored eleven goals during the Premier League campaign and provided five assists. His penalty miss against West Ham United also did not eventually prove costly, as Man City ran away with the Premier League title on the final day, ending the season on a high for the Algerian.
4. Sadio Mané (LIVERPOOL)
When Mo Salah makes a list, it is nearly certain that his partner in crime, Sadio Mané, makes that list too. Although Mané hasn’t made the headlines for his side, he has scored his goals and played his part during the course of the season. His time at the club might be coming to an end, however, and Liverpool fans will hope that they hold on to their Senegalese star.
Mané scored on sixteen occasions in the league this season and bagged two assists to go with his goals. If he does end up leaving, it would feel like his journey would come to a bitter-sweet end, given the fact that he missed out on both the Champions League and the Premier League this season.
3. Jarrod Bowen (WEST HAM UNITED)
One player who certainly deserves his spot in the top ten this season is Jarrod Bowen. The West Ham United right-winger has had the season of his life. He surely has got the England manager, Gareth Southgate, thinking about whom he ought to play on the right-hand side. Bowen’s stock has certainly risen as well, with several clubs requiring wide players like Manchester United and Liverpool considering bringing him in.
Bowen scored twelve goals this season to go with his ten assists, averaging a goal contribution nearly twice in three games in the Premier League. His ability to hit quickly on the counter and make runs from the shoulders of defenders have given the best of teams nightmares.
2. Mohamed Salah (LIVERPOOL)
No Premier League forwards list is complete without Mo Salah. The left-footed Egyptian had yet another spectacular season in the Premier League. He completed the season as the highest goalscorer alongside Spurs’ Son Heung-min. He also finished the season with thirteen league assists to his name.
Salah has been getting in behind the backline frequently and has been a constant threat on the right. His goal against Watford earlier this season proved that he can, if need be, do it all on his own. Salah is a special player and the Premier League is lucky to have him. However, a trait that puts him in second place on this list is the fact that he has more penalty goals compared to Son.
Also Read – Top 5 Liverpool players of the 2021/22 season
1. Son Heung-min (TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR)
Although Tottenham Hotspur had an up-and-down season, Son Heung-min remained in splendid form throughout the campaign, earning the side a spot in the top four with some brilliant performances towards the end of the season.
Son netted on 23 occasions this season, with seven assists to go with his goals. Although his goal contribution falls slightly behind Salah’s, he leads the line for non-penalty goals in the league, earning him the number-one spot. He is a tricky customer and can always be potent down the left-hand side.
