Ten players set to shine for their new clubs this season.
This summer has seen a slew of activity in the transfer market, but for all the big bucks spent there have been a few deals completed that have gone under the radar slightly. These players will either have something to prove in the upcoming campaign, or they will represent an unknown quantity that have the ability to take the Premier League by storm.
10. Mauricio Isla – Juventus to QPR, loan
For all of ‘Arry’s wheeling and dealing, he may very quell have stumbled across a very shrewd acquisition here. Isla has been struggling to break into Juve’s first team over the past two seasons, but showed at the World Cup that he is a more than capable performer at the top level. With Redknapp likely to be the latest in a long line of managers to convert to the 3-5-2 formation this term, the Chilean will prove effective on the right flank thanks to his direct running and tireless energy.
9. Aly Cissokho – Valencia to Aston Villa, £2.4m
The Frenchman spent last term on loan with Liverpool, where for the most part he struggled to get a foothold in the side. However, he showed glimpses of why he was so highly regarded not loo long ago, and will be looking to prove that he is capable of being a regular starter in the English top flight. Cissohko will add a physical presence that a lightweight Villa side lacked last term, and will make them harder to break down.
8. Cheikhou Kouyate – Anderlecht to West Ham, £7m
The rangy midfielder has often brought comparisons to Patrick Vieira, and his all action style does lend to that. With a penchant for running at opponents with the ball, there will be few Premier League midfields able to stop him effectively once he gets going and though he’s not the finished article yet, a season in the Premier League could fast track him to becoming an accomplished performer at the highest level.
7. Mathieu Debuchy – Newcastle to Arsenal
Debuchy was being wasted at Newcastle, and though he may not exactly be world class – he will surely prove to be an effective replacement for Bacary Sagna. Already played a key part in Arsenal’s first trophy of the season in Sunday’s Community Shield, his runs forward are capped off with an excellent crossing ability, and he is never left lacking in terms of work rate.
6. Dusan Tadic – FC Twente to Southampton, £10.9m
The Serb international is a virtual unknown in the UK, but new Saints boss wasted no time in splashing out over £10m to make him his first signing. The left-footed forward cultivated a reputation in Holland during his time with Gronigen and more recently FC Twente as a flamboyant and tricky winger, bagging 32 goals for Twente over the past two seasons. He will undoubtedly fill the void left by Adam Lallana.
5. Muhamed Besic – Ferencvaros to Everton, £4m
A tough tackler and a clever passer, Roberto Martinez has possibly landed himself one of the bargains of the season this summer. He will have his work cut out for him to get past the likes of Gareth Barry and James McCarthy and into the first team, but he will have all the tools necessary to do that once he gets used to life in England. It says a lot that Martinez opted to push through a move for the Bosnian World Cup star instead of making a return for Jack Rodwell.
4. Bafetimbi Gomis – Lyon to Swansea, free
Considering the powerhouse striker was rated at £8m last summer, the Swans have done ell to bring him in on a free and add him to their front line. Having bagged 102 Ligue 1 goals in 309 games, he had been tracked by a number of sides, most notably Newcastle, but he snubbed a move there in favour of a switch to Wales and together with Wilfried Bony, Swansea are in possession of one of the most dynamic and powerful front lines in the top flight.
3. Remy Cabella – Montpellier to Newcastle, £12m
The classy Frenchman was recently the subject of interest from Manchester United, and though the former Ligue 1 champions managed to relent they weren’t able to stop him from moving on this term. The 23-year-old marries graft to his craft and the France international promises to be a fan favourite on Tyneside. Will usually be seen operating behind the strikers, but can also drift out to wider positions in order to pick out passes to runners going forward.
2. Rickie Lambert – Southampton to Liverpool, £4m
The veteran England international finally has his chance to prove his worth at the very top of the tree this season, having been snapped up by his hometown club. He will no replacement for the departed Luis Suarez, but he will undoubtedly chip in with a handful of important goals at crucial moments as the club prepare to compete across four fronts once again.
1. Bojan – Barcelona to Stoke, £3m
The young Spaniard has seen his star fall slightly since first breaking into the Barca first team, and spells with Roma and Ajax have ended on sour notes. However, Mark Hughes has done a lot to turn the tide at Stoke, and though they are by no means world beaters, he has made them attractive enough for a player like Bojan to consider them a good option. He will be looking to prove that he is still a top player, despite the window for him to become world class firmly being closed.
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