The players who could impress in the English top flight next term against the odds.
Now that the 2014 World Cup is over attention is once again turning back towards the Premier League and what is going to happen in the 2014/15 season.
As much as people will be looking forward to seeing the big stars in action, there are always a number of surprise players who impress against the odds.
Last term the likes of Gareth Barry at Everton, Crystal Palace captain Mile Jedinak and Curtis Davies of Hull City were among those surprise successes and here are 10 we think could be included this time around.
10. Graziano Pelle, Southampton
Saints fans may be getting a bit down currently with the seemingly constant stream of exits from St Mary’s, but the quiet acquisition of a little known Italian from Feyenoord on Saturday could be a shrewd replacement for Rickie Lambert.
Admittedly succeeding in the Eredivise does not necessarily mean it will translate to English football (look at Alfonso Alves and Jozy Altidore), but with 23 league goals in 28 games last term Pelle could well succeed.
9. Fernando, Manchester City
Despite all their millions of pounds the Citizens have been surprisingly quiet in the transfer market this summer, with the £12m signing of Fernando from FC Porto their most expensive purchase to date.
Defensive midfielders often don’t receive the credit they deserve, but with Yaya Toure’s future uncertain and question marks over the capabilities of Javi Garcia, don’t be surprised if this Brazilian gets plenty of chances to help the more creative players flourish.
8. Danny Drinkwater, Leicester City
Making the step up from the Championship is always a steep learning curve and the Foxes have never truly achieved it in the Premier League and have often found their time in the top flight short lived.
However, they have a decent core of players who stormed the second tier last campaign including former Manchester United youth player Drinkwater.
7. Robert Snodgrass, Hull City
Hardly the most glamourous of players and at £8m may seem like a little expensive, but Snodgrass has a technique at set pieces and from wide positions that could match most of the best in the league.
With a style that revolves around physicality Steve Bruce’s men could greatly benefit from having this former Norwich City ace on the flank.
6. Marouane Chamakh, Crystal Palace
Widely derided whilst at Arsenal this striker proved to be solid enough during his first year at Selhurst Park and manager Tony Pulis has rewarded the 30-year-old with a two-year deal as a result.
With the renewed confidence his time at the Eagles has brought, Chamakh could finally shake off his label of Gunners flop and become a Palace star.
5. Arouna Kone, Everton
Many could be forgiven for having forgotten this Ivory Coast international still plays for the Toffees with his first year at Goodison Park in 2013/14 almost entirely ravaged by injury.
Yet a good rapport with boss Roberto Martinez, a proven scoring record in the division previously and a need for the No.9 gap to be filled following Romelu Lukaku’s return to Chelsea, this could be Kone’s comeback.
4. Chris Smalling, Manchester United
With the money that appears to be getting banded about at Old Trafford currently many may be wondering why new manager Louis van Gaal would even have to play this supposed flop.
Yet the Dutch coach is unpredictable in both his demeanour and tactics and although this may be a big call, we expect Smalling to feature heavily under the 62-year-old.
3. Andy Carroll, West Ham United
When breaking onto the scene with Newcastle United it looked as if the striker could be the future of England’s strike force, but now aged 25-years-old things have taken a nose dive.
With a combined £50m having been spent on him by Liverpool and then the Hammers, clearly some people think Carroll is worth it and if he stays fit he could well shine for Sam Allardyce.
2. Mamadou Sakho, Liverpool
Arrived with so much promise last summer in an £18m switch from Paris Saint-Germain and although had plenty of game time, was considered a liability at the back.
Yet both Brendan Rodgers and France national team boss Didier Deschamps are big fans of Sakho and the 23-year-old has the chance to affirm their predictions in the next 12 months.
1. Erik Lamela, Tottenham Hotspur
The current go to player when it comes to finding someone to pin the ‘expensive flop’ tag on, to be fair to Lamela his chances were limited last season following a club record £30m transfer from AS Roma.
In Italy the attacker was a hit and at 22-years-old it could simply be a case of settling in, which fellow Argentine and new manager Mauricio Pochettino will be given the task of helping him to do.
SEE ALSO: Most expensive Premier League transfers ever.