Soccer Premier League

10 Superstar Players Who Must Step Up In EPL Week 18

Fresh Videos

By @b2brennan

10 Superstar Players Who Must Step Up in EPL Week 18

Captains Armband EPL
Getty Images

We're almost at the midway point of the 2014-15 EPL season. There has been much action so far with two teams pulling away and the next eight being so close. In order for some teams to step up and help their cause in a big way, these 10 players need to perform well in Week 18.

10. Christian Benteke

4 Christian Benteke of Aston Villa - Copy
Getty Images

10. Christian Benteke

4 Christian Benteke of Aston Villa
Getty Images

Aston Villa are last in the EPL in goals scored with 11. Christian Benteke has battled back from injury and looked good as of late. He will need to keep up his form and be more consistent if he wants to push the Lions forward, or better yet, move to a bigger club in the transfer window.

9. Joe Hart

5 Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart
Getty Images

9. Joe Hart

5 Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart - Copy
Getty Images

Joe Hart just signed a contract with Manchester City until 2019. Chasing David de Gea and Thibaut Courtois as probably the third best goalkeeper in the Premier League, Hart will need to prove that he's worth the contract price.

8. Raheem Sterling

Liverpool v Arsenal - Premier League
Getty Images

8. Raheem Sterling

Liverpool v Arsenal - Premier League
Getty Images

With Liverpool switching to the 3-4-3, they will be relying heavily on Raheem Sterling to generate offense. He looks comfortable handling the load, but for a struggling side that's 10th in the table, he'll need to be more than just comfortable if the Reds want to succeed.

7. Ross Barkley

1 Everton attacker Ross Barkley
Getty Images

7. Ross Barkley

1 Everton attacker Ross Barkley - Copy
Getty Images

Everton have had a horrendous start to the EPL season. Currently sitting in 11th, they are going to need a spark if they want to move to the upper half of the table. Ross Barkley was injured in the beginning of the season but is just starting to get back into form. He needs to be a big piece of Everton's attack in order for them to move up.

6. Tim Howard

4 Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard - Copy
Getty Images

6. Tim Howard

Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard
Getty Images

During the 2014 World Cup, Tim Howard appeared to be the best goalkeeper in the world. The Everton keeper has struggled this season after having an outstanding 2013-14 campaign. If Howard wants to stay in the running for top goalkeepers, he will need to step up in a big way.

5. Gary Cahill

Chelsea FC v Barcelona - UEFA Champions League Semi Final
Getty Images

5. Gary Cahill

Chelsea FC v Barcelona - UEFA Champions League Semi Final
Getty Images

After Gary Cahill's ridiculous dive against Hull City, a lot of people have been questioning his play. In order to prove that he is still a top center-back in the EPL, the Chelsea star will need to put the dive in the past and play strong defense.

4. Eden Hazard

Hull City v Chelsea - Premier League
Getty Images

4. Eden Hazard

Hull City v Chelsea - Premier League
Getty Images

The talk of first-place Chelsea this season has been surrounding their two transfer window pickups, Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa. An extremely talented winger, Eden Hazard will want to push himself back in the running for the best attacker Chelsea have. He will need some big outputs in the near future to help his case.

3. Radamel Falcao

3. Radamel Falcao will score twice
Getty Images

3. Radamel Falcao

4 Radamel Falcao on the Manchester United substitutes bench - Copy
Getty Images

Radamel Falcao has taken somewhat of a backseat this year at Manchester United to the likes of Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie. At one point considered arguably the best striker in the world, Falcao will need to get on track if he wants to be not only in that discussion, but the starting XI for United.

2. Yaya Toure

Manchester City v AS Roma - UEFA Champions League
Getty Images

2. Yaya Toure

Manchester City v AS Roma - UEFA Champions League
Getty Images

With Sergio Aguero out for an extended time with a knee injury, Manchester City are going to need their stars to rise up if they want to catch Chelsea for top of the league. Yaya Toure is just the player to do it. He struggled early in the season but has come on lately, and in order for City to make a push at first, they'll need Toure to be outstanding.

1. Mario Balotelli

FBL-ENG-PR-LIVERPOOL-WEST BROM
Getty Images

1. Mario Balotelli

FBL-ENG-PR-LIVERPOOL-WEST BROM
Getty Images

There has been a lot of backlash towards one of Liverpool's biggest transfer window pickups in Mario Balotelli. Super Mario hasn't found his groove yet and his clock is ticking at Anfield. If Balotelli wants to not only stay with Liverpool but become the player his talents can make him, he needs to start performing and fast.

Share Tweet
Trending Now on