The early season plaudits have quite rightly gone to our star signing, Dimitri Payet. His start for the club has been nothing but impressive and bodes well for the season ahead. Throw in the performances of Diafra Sakho and Winston Reid, and the backbone of the team is looking good.
But for me, Cheikhou Kouyate has been the main man. Playing just in front of Noble, his energy, skill and strength have been world class in these early games, and he seems to have moved on to a higher level, after an impressive first season in the claret and blue.
His defensive qualities, being able to run box to box, and maintain his stamina for the full 90 minutes, has been excellent, however, this season, he is proving to be an attacking threat also. He is tall and gangly, which means he is an aerial threat at both ends, but also has good feet, meaning he is able to fit in with our new passing style of play. His pace allows us to use him as an outlet for our away, Counter Attacking formation, which begs the question, is he priceless to our team?
We heard the rumours that Spurs were sniffing around him in the summer, and other rumours to say that Kouyate wants to re-negotiate his contract for a higher wage.
Well Mr Gold and Mr Sullivan, I suggest you get the cheque book out again one more time this season, and tie down one of the best midfielders we have had at the club for many years, and one of the best midfielders of his type, playing in the Premier League at the moment. Kouyate deserves a pay rise, and I hope that he gets it!