Five new hotshots to watch out for in the new Premier League season
Sesko, Gyokeres and Wirtz are among the expensive fresh faces who are set to make an immediate impact for their clubs
[SINGAPORE] Eighty-three days after a dominant Liverpool lifted the English Premier League (EPL) trophy on the final day of last season, the 20 teams in England’s top football division are ready to do battle afresh this weekend.
For the next nine months, a total of 380 matches will be played at 20 stadiums. Liverpool, which drew level with Manchester United with a record-equalling 20th top-flight championship, are the bookies’ favourites to retain the title. Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea are likely to lead the chasing pack.
The glamour fixture to look out for in the opening weekend takes place on Sunday (11.30 pm kickoff, Singapore time) when Manchester United welcome last season’s runners-up Arsenal to a sold-out Old Trafford.
As expected, most of the EPL teams have splashed the cash during the transfer window this summer and they are ready to trot out their flashy new arrivals. BT Weekend picks out five players to keep an eye on over the next few months.
Florian Wirtz (Liverpool)
As if Liverpool’s attack were not frightening enough, manager Arne Slot will field a brand-new frontline led by Florian Wirtz, the German international who joined from Bayer Leverkusen for a British record transfer fee of £116 million (S$201.8 million).
The 22-year-old was named Germany’s Footballer of the Year last season and made the 30-man shortlist for the prestigious Ballon d’Or award. He has lightning-quick pace, is versatile and has exceptional dribbling skills and the ability to score from both inside and outside the box.
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He has wasted no time in settling down at Anfield, and he already appears to have struck a chord with fellow newbie Hugo Ekitike from France and the Egyptian veteran Mohamed Salah. Wirtz will fancy himself to net at least 20 goals in his debut season in the EPL and few would bet against him reaching that target. He will play alongside fellow fresh faces such as Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and Dutch defender Jeremie Frimpong.
Benjamin Sesko (Manchester United)
An embarrassing 15th-place finish and the failure to qualify for a European tournament did not stop Manchester United from attracting some of the sport’s top talent.
The Red Devils broke the bank to secure the signature of Slovenian striker Benjamin Sesko from German club RB Leipzig, with the 22-year-old now on a five-year deal worth up to £73.7 million.
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United’s director of football Jason Wilcox heaped on the praise for Sesko, describing him as an “exceptional young talent in world football” who has electrifying pace and the ability to physically dominate defenders.
Sesko – who scored 13 times in the Bundesliga last season – is the fourth summer signing for United, and he will link up with Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbuemo and Diego Leon. The club’s biggest problem of late has been a lack of goals, and Sesko is widely seen as the man who will solve that dilemma once and for all.
Estevao (Chelsea)
One of the most exciting teenage prospects in world football now plays in London, after Chelsea brought in Brazilian playmaker Estevao Willian. The highly-rated midfielder, who already has five appearances for his country, joined from Palmeiras last month in a deal worth up to 67 million euros (S$100 million).
The 18-year-old has given Chelsea fans much to be excited about, after scoring just 18 minutes into his debut in the 2-0 pre-season victory over Bayer Leverkusen last week.
Estevao links up with a hatful of other new signings at Stamford Bridge, among them his countryman Joao Pedro, England under-21 striker Liam Delap and French defender Mamadou Sarr.
Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal)
The big question all frustrated Arsenal fans are asking is, will Viktor Gyokeres finally be the man to break the club’s unlucky streak and help win a trophy?
The towering Swedish striker was paraded before the Gunners supporters for the first time on Jul 27 at the National Stadium in Singapore during the club’s pre-season tour of Asia, having signed from Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon for £64 million.
The 27-year-old certainly possesses all the attributes of someone who can thrive in the demanding EPL – he has the physique, positioning and, most importantly, scoring prowess. He is a penalty-box predator who enjoys dribbling with the ball, muscling past defenders and tucking the ball away with his favoured right foot.
Rayan Cherki (Manchester City)
There is a new No 10 at Manchester City, and it is French international Rayan Cherki who has taken over the iconic jersey after the departure of Jack Grealish to Everton.
The 21-year-old midfielder joined City from Lyon following a £30.5 million transfer, and he is arguably the club’s most exciting summer signing. He is a wizard with the ball and able to dribble past opponents with ease. His passing ability has been lauded by pundits, and he also has the ability to score spectacular goals.
With injured midfielder Rodri still sidelined until September, Cherki will likely be heavily involved in manager Pep Guardiola’s plans in the first few weeks of the season. He will have plenty of game time as he looks to help his new team to bounce back from the disappointment of a first trophyless season since 2016/17.
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