Every summer transfer window of the Premier League sees an influx of players across the globe. Even though clubs are adjusting to the financial constraints caused by the coronavirus pandemic, it hasn’t stopped most – if not all – clubs from strengthening their squads.
Here are Footy Time‘s Ten new signings to keep an eye on this season.
Timo Werner
The German has been shattering records in Bundesliga since making his debut in 2013 and finished just six goals behind a ridiculously prolific Robert Lewandowski last season.
With the creative firepower, both new and old, at Chelsea he should be on track to better last season’s top scorer – Tammy Abraham with 15 goals.
James Rodriguez
A really significant signing for a club that wants to be considered among the big boys. Everton have talent at the striker position, and the Colombian sensation might just be what the club needs to find some consistency.
He’s one of the most talented attacking midfielders in the world, and he thrived at Porto and Monaco, but never really got consistent minutes at Real Madrid. If he can stay high and be that strong No. 10 that plays to Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, they could push for more than just a Europa League spot.
Donny van de Beek
The Dutch midfielder makes the move to Manchester United from Ajax, but where exactly does he fit in? The potential is there for sure, but with a midfield featuring Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes in the roles higher up the field, does he take over the defensive midfield role? He’s a player who can do it all but excels more when he can get into the attack.
It’s hard to imagine him coming in and not being a starter considering the price tag of over $40 million. He can be a star at United, but the concern early on is where the minutes are going to come from.
Ferran Torres
The Spanish winger’s value has oscillated between extremes over the last 12 months before Manchester City swooped in and made him its own for (just) £20.8 million.
Supposedly a right-winger, he is comfortable playing on either wing and moves between the lines to take up central positions too.
Eberechi Eze
Roy Hodgson has been coaching for 44 years now. After managing clubs of all sizes, across Europe, he made the 22-year-old the most expensive signing of his managerial career. What is even more remarkable is that Eze has no top-flight experience, spending time in the Championship and League Two.
With 100-plus games under his belt and frightening pace that could add another dimension to Crystal Palace’s attack, the London-born player is set to dazzle the league with his neighbourhood club.
Kai Havertz
Most exciting of the summer signings so far. At 21, Havertz has already shown his quality in the Champions League with Bayer Leverkusen and for Germany.
An attacking midfield player with a great left foot, Havertz scored 18 goals last season. Wonder if Frank Lampard saw a bit of himself in there. Chelsea fans are in for a treat.
Gabriel
Everybody knows Arsenal’s issues are mainly in defense, and the club is hoping this is the player who can fix them. The 22-year-old Brazilian, with great size at 6-foot-3, was a star for Lille and has Champions League experience.
He is really good in the air, does very well defensively in one-on-ones and has the potential to be a starting center back for the Brazilian national team at some point in his career.
Rodrigo
The star summer signing for Leeds United in their most anticipated season in decades. They make the return to the Premier League and expect it to be their forever home now that they have financial resources to compete.
He isn’t a goal-scoring machine, but he is so valuable with his creativity, his smart play and runs that open up space. Last season he had an injury and recorded just seven goals, but he had 19 goals in 2017-18 and 15 in 2018-19.
Hakim Ziyech
Out of all the signings who the Blues have snapped up ahead of the 2020/21 campaign, the Moroccan was the first.Chelsea sealed a deal for him back in February from Ajax and the 27-year-old has had to wait some time to play for the Blues.
Ziyech is not necessarily the quickest player in the side, but what the winger does possess is a wand of a left foot.
Matt Doherty
The Dubliner joined Tottenham from Wolves in a £15 million deal last month, and is set to become the first Irish international to play regularly under Jose Mourinho since Damien Duff.
The 28-year-old consistently impressed as a wing-back in Nuno Espírito Santo’s 3-5-2 formation at Wolves. However, the fact that Doherty is likely to play in a four-man backline with Spurs for a coach perceived as more conservative has led to some speculation that he could be less effective in this system.