League Focus: The Six Key Figures of the 2014/15 Premier League Season

The Finisher: Sergio Agüero 

26 goals was enough for Sergio Agüero to end the Premier League campaign as top goalscorer, and it was something of a travesty that the brilliant Argentine was not nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award. His WhoScored rating (7.67) ranked third behind Eden Hazard (7.96) and Alexis Sánchez (7.81) as Agüero tried in vain to land back-to-back league titles for Manchester City. 

In the end, no number of goals could deny Chelsea their fourth Premier League title, though from a personal perspective, Agüero was far and away the Premier League’s deadliest marksman this season. The 26-year-old also registered 8 assists, with a direct contribution of 34 goals the best of all players this past campaign. 

An average of 4.5 shots per game was the most of all players in England’s top tier, with Agüero confident in his ability to hit the back of the net at any given opportunity. City will now return to the drawing board as they aim to wrestle the title back from Chelsea next term, with the Argentina international likely to spearhead the charge as the Citizens strive to return to the Premier League’s summit. 

The Server: Cesc Fàbregas 

Cesc Fàbregas’ return to English football ended in comical fashion after he was red carded for kicking a ball at Chris Brunt’s head in Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat at West Brom earlier this month. Nonetheless, the acquisition of the Spaniard can rightly be deemed a resounding success having played a key role in the Blues’ title win, in the process landing his first Premier League winners’ medal. 

Fàbregas registered more assists (18) than any other player in England’s top-tier this term, while only Mesut Özil (3.1) and compatriot David Silva (2.9) averaged more key passes per game than the Chelsea ace (2.8). Chelsea predominantly started in a 4-2-3-1 formation this season, with Fàbregas playing a starring role alongside Nemanja Matic in the double-pivot as both quickly struck an understanding with one another. 

His performances dipped somewhat after Christmas, but Fàbregas came up trumps when it really mattered, netting the winner in the 1-0 win over QPR in April that all but handed Chelsea the title. ‘Fàbregas is magic, he wears a magic hat!’ chanted the Chelsea supporters as he endeared himself to the Blues faithful with a series of fine displays at the heart of the midfield. Fans will be hopeful he can maintain his wizardry to help the West London side to back-to-back Premier League trophies. 

The Surprise Package: Francis Coquelin 

When Arsenal recalled Francis Coquelin from his loan spell at Charlton back in December, his return was met with skepticism. 6 months later, however, and fans were heralding the decision to bring the Frenchman back in the winter. Injury played a role in the 24-year-old’s return to the Arsenal set-up, but he grabbed the opportunity to hold down a regular starting spot with both hands. 

His WhoScored rating (7.46) ranked 12th in the Premier League, while an average of 3.2 tackles and 3.7 interceptions was the best of all Arsenal players. When the team required a solid performer in the middle of the park, Coquelin came into the side and impressed. 

Forming a reliable midfield partnership with the experienced Santi Cazorla, Coquelin was efficient in his defensive duties, playing a central role in Arsenal’s 3rd place finish, their best since the 2011/12 season. Given the Gunners were linked with a host of big name midfielders in January, it says a lot that Coquelin, who originally returned as a stop gap, was able to hold down a regular starting berth. 

The Rising Star: Harry Kane 

It’s been a season to remember for Harry Kane, who established himself as Tottenham’s first choice striker under Mauricio Pochettino. Only Agüero (26) scored more goals than Kane (21), whose performances saw him rewarded with the PFA Young Player of the Year award and a five-and-a-half year contract back in February. 

Kane’s goals won more points (24) than any other player in the Premier League this season, a notable return given he didn’t make his first league start of the season until November. At 21, the sky is the limit for the England international, who will spearhead the Spurs attack in their continued attempts to break into the top-4 next term. 

Reported interest from Manchester United has been quickly batted away by Kane, who insists his future lies in North London. The news will encourage Spurs fans who hope the youngster can fire the club back into Europe’s elite competition. After such a successful campaign, they have every reason to be confident that Kane can do just that. 

Best Comeback Season: Ashley Young 

Last summer, Ashley Young was tipped with a move away from Manchester United, with Louis van Gaal set to oversee a major transition at the club. The acquisitions of Ángel Di María and Luke Shaw suggested the winger would be on his way to pastures new. However, Young knuckled down and proved his doubters wrong, nailing down a starting berth in Van Gaal’s XI. 

Of all players to make at least 40 league appearances over the last two seasons, Young’s improved WhoScored rating is the best positive difference, jumping from 6.55 last term to 7.23 this campaign; a rise of 0.68. 5 league assists this season is a better return than in his previous two years at the club combined (4 assists), while an average of 1.5 successful dribbles per game is his best in the last 6 Premier League seasons. 

United may have acquired the services of Memphis Depay already this summer, but that is not expected to hinder Young’s future at the club. The former Watford and Aston Villa star has established himself as a first team regular under Van Gaal and he will strive to ensure he is not dropped from the starting XI anytime soon. 

Set-piece Extraordinaire: Jason Puncheon 

When Alan Pardew took charge of Crystal Palace, he widely praised Jason Puncheon. The 28-year-old has established himself as one of the Eagles’ most important players since Pardew took over the reins at Selhurst Park, with his redeployment into the middle of the park benefitting not only the player, but the team as a whole. 

While Leighton Baines and Christian Eriksen have been commended for their set-piece ability, Puncheon has perhaps proved beyond doubt that he is currently the unrivalled dead ball expert in England’s top tier. No player scored more goals from direct free kicks in the Premier League this season than Puncheon (3). 

Puncheon also played more key passes from set-pieces (34) than any other player, with 5 of his 7 assists coming from dead ball situations this campaign also representing an impressive return for the midfielder. Depending on how Palace invest over the summer, Puncheon can be expected to build on those figures as he looks to maintain his fine form under Pardew.

What were your highlights from the 2014/15 Premier League season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below