Footy Blogs: Top 5 wingers EPL Pre-Season Review - Does a Premier League new boy take top spot?

Teams look to their wingers for a spark, a piece of game changing brilliance. For some, like the mesmerising Mahrez, it's a trademark stepover before a curling arrow of a shot towards the far post. Others, those less graced with pace, get their heads up and swing a wicked ball in for hungry strikers to feed off, look no further than Beckham in his prime. Of course the best of wingers combine both these skills to provide unpredictability and leave hesitant full backs guessing and second guessing, the question is who are these majestic products in the EPL?

#5 Eden Hazard - Chelsea FC

Some will be shocked to see the Belgium make this list, others will argue that the 25 year old should be higher. The former Lille man endured a torrid 2015/16 season, a campaign plagued with injuries and a lack of confidence. It's no coincidence that Chelsea's demise and embarrassing effort came alongside Hazard's drop in form. However in terms of predicting the best wingers of next season Hazard must feature, especially after showing promise in Chelsea's final games with exquisite goals against Tottenham and Liverpool. Excluding Messi no player goes past a player better than Hazard at his peak, unlike say Ronaldo, Hazard does not power past but instead glides around players. Off the back of a respectable Euros campaign expect the Belgium to start off eager to impress new boss Conte, how eager Hazard would be to track back in a more defensive minded position remains to be seen.

#4 Willian - Chelsea FC

From an out of form Chelsea winger to a player at the peak of his career, Willian was Chelsea's one shining light last season thanks to his unstoppable free kicks and remarkable endurance. Chelsea's move for the Brazilian was a questionable one at first however Blues fans will tell you now that the winger is one of the most valuable men in their whole squad. Willian is a 'form' player, one who can be MOTM game after game before seemingly disappearing when called on most. Conte will be hoping the 27 year old can maintain last year's impressive form in which he scored and assisted 11 goals in total.

#3 Riyad Mahrez - Leicester City

The PFA player of the year scored 17 times last season, for a winger to be competing at the top of the goal charts is an achievement in itself. The Algerian was also eager to inscribe his name on the assist charts with 11 last year, only bettered by the talents of Ozil, Eriksen and Southampton's Tadic. Whether Mahrez stays at Leicester remains to be seen, it appears as if another showdown between loyalty and money is on the cards with Arsenal reportedly searching for his signature. At 25 years of age the winger has not yet reached his peak as a result many expect him to continue putting in devilish deliveries and swerving strikes come the opening game of the season, the real question will be what colour shirt will he be wearing?

#2 Henrik Mkhitaryan - Manchester United

It's always risky to put a Premier League new boy on the list however as every Red Devils fan will tell you the stats do the talking. Similarly to Mahrez the Armenian captain won the Player of the Season award (in the Bundesliga) and registered both goals and assists in abundance for Borussia Dortmund (41 in all). The winger is rather versatile, he's capable of playing on either wing or even as a CAM, expect Mkhitaryan to predominantly feature wide right with Rooney through the centre and Martial hugging the left sideline, of course that man Zlatan will be up top. Such a strong attacking line up will guarantee the 27 year old chances a plenty, whether it will guarantee Manchester United a first title since Sir Alex Ferguson's reign remains to be seen.

#1 Alexis Sanchez - Arsenal FC

The Chilian performed exceptionally well at the Copa America and saw them all the way past Messi's Argentina in the final. Unfortunately for Arsenal fans such a lengthy tournament campaign has seen Sanchez burnt out and unavailable for the majority of their pre-season. The former Barcelona man is rather injury prone, this vulnerability is what kept him away from the goal scoring charts last season and perhaps also lead to the mid season slump in Arsenal's title campaign. The reason Sanchez is ahead of the likes of Mahrez and Mkhitaryan in this list is due to his range of attributes, like Mahrez Sanchez possesses quick feet like an Irish dancer but on top of that he is astonishingly capable in the air. Like Mkhitaryan Sanchez has the ingenuity to play neat flicks and through balls but on top of that he also is blessed with rapid acceleration and agility which leaves full backs on their backsides. Can Sanchez help Arsenal to a first Premier League title in over a decade?

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