The Premier League is upon us all, as it is set to being this coming weekend. As expected, teams have geared up for yet another exhilarating season of football with interesting moves being made in the transfer window so far.
With around a fortnight or so left in the window, let us take a look at some of the new signings that one should look forward to witnessing in action this Premier League season.
Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal)
One of the public starlers of the EURO 2024, Calafiori made his mark at the international stage as the only reliable anchor in an Italian defensive unit, which was otherwise poor to say the least.
Having garnered interest from the likes of Juventus, Arsenal beat the Italian giants to the defender and acquired him on priority for a reported 42 million Euros.
The Gunners, who already boasted the best defence in the Premier League last season, keeping 18 clean sheets in 38 games, will only look even more solid in the back with the addition of the youngster.
Perhaps the only question would be about how to utilise the defender to the best of his abilities, as he could be touted to compete with the likes for Gabriel for the starting centre-back role.
Dominic Solanke (Tottenham)
Having lost out on talisman striker Harry Kane the previous season, Spurs have been on the lookout for another sharpshooting finisher, who can bring in the goals, and Solanke is the answer they have opted for.
Fresh from his best ever scoring season, netting 19 times in the Premier League for Bournemouth, the 26-year-old would become Tottenham’s record signing if the add-ons are met in a deal that can rise to £65 million.
Whilst Solanke has definitely shown promise and delivered in England, the real challenge now starts as Spurs will pursue European glory as well, waters that Solanke has least tread.
Matthijs de Ligt (Manchester United)
There was indubitably a desperate need for the Red Devils to reconfigure and strengthen their defensive line, with the likes of Varane leaving and a lack of heart and talent in the back line. So, de Ligt has been brought in to address the same.
Dutch international De Ligt, who has been reunited with Erik ten Hag, is just part of a defensive overhaul as United have also recruited French teenager Leny Yoro and De Ligt’s Bayern team-mate Noussair Mazraoui.
But Yoro is set to miss the first three months of the season, giving De Ligt the chance to nail down his place in the team with a bright start at Old Trafford.
David Raya (Arsenal)
Arguably the biggest and most vital move that Arsenal had to make. Retaining an impressive Raya, who took the mantle between the goalposts last season, was imperative.
Raya won the Premier League Golden Glove in his debut campaign with Arsenal, keeping 16 clean sheets in the Premier League and 20 in total across 41 appearances.
He was undoubtedly the biggest contributor to Mikel Arteta’s defensive success, and shall continue being so optimistically as the Gunners push for the title yet again for their 22nd year in a row now.
Niclas Fuellkrug (West Ham)
West Ham signed possibly the most West Ham striker they could find.
A battering ram of a centre-forward, the 31-year-old Fuellkrug has proven to be just the type of no-nonsense, clinical striker that West Ham have been in dire need of.
Fuellkrug thrived with Dortmund last season, scoring 16 goals and was pivotal in helping them reach last season’s Champions League final.
Pedro Neto (Chelsea)
The sun rises in the east, water is wet, Chelsea had yet another overwhelming transfer window: certainties in life. And Pedro Neto has been the pick of the lot so far for the Blues.
The Wolves winger joined the London side for a fee of £54 million, and will joins the ranks of wingers such as Raheem Sterling, Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke.
The Portuguese most definitely posseses immense talent and potential. But, what will be of paramoutn importance is his health, which has been a bit of a hassle in recent years.
Ian Maatsen (Aston Villa)
Fuellkrug’s Dortmund compatriot, 22-year-old Ian Maatsen is yet another exciting prospect that Unai Emery has acquired this summer.
Last season at Chelsea, he struggled for regular play under Mauricio Pochettino, making 15 appearances across all competitions, before being loaned off to Dortmund for the last six months of the past season, where he found his footing again.
Maatsen, on paper, is a brilliant fit for Villa as his abilities to build up play, create chances, and execute quick counterattacks align perfectly with Emery’s style, which emphasizes aggressive counter-pressing.
Emile Smith-Rowe (Fulham)
Potentially the record signing for Fulham, Smith-Rowe’s exit from Arsenal is one, despite being heart-wrenching, that can pan out in the best of manners for the young English midfielder.
From struggling for gametime in Arsenal, after having been plagued by injury and poor for, he will now be the focal point of a Fulham side that has stagnated in the Premier League.
Marc Guiu (Chelsea)
Another fascinating name that catches eyes in the Chelsea ranks is the 17-year-old La Masia graduate Guiu.
Guiu needed nothing more than just 33 seconds to announce himself to the footballing world last October, when he made his Barcelona debut late in the game against Athletic Bilbao and promptly scored the winning goal.
Although Guiu found instant success, he could break through the first team much after then, as the likes of a other-wordly Lamine Yamal took centre stage. But, Guiu also possesses the potential to blossom into a fantastic finished product, and the Premier League will surely be the ideal arena to prove oneself.
Savio (Manchester City)
It takes quite a bit of talent and promise for the likes of Pep Guardiola to sign one on as the sole buy of the summer so far.
Savinho has spent time at both Girona and Troyes. Confident and incisive on the ball, the Brazilian loves to cut inside from the right flank and attack, similar to one Riyad Mahrez who graced the Etihad till not so long ago now.
The 20-year-old youngster put up a clnic in La Liga last season as he helped Girona quality for the Champions League for the first time in the history of the club.
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