English Premier League 2020/21 begins under an unprecedented climate, a global pandemic that affects even the football world. Let’s look at the top new signings at various Premier League clubs.
Willian (Arsenal) – Free
Arsenal have signed the Premier League 32 years old veteran from Chelsea F.C. on a free transfer. Willian has many accolades under his belt, having won the Premier League twice, FA cup and most recently the Europa League. His versatility as winger and central attacking midfielder and experience will definitely help boost Arsenal’s offense.
Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal) – £27million
One of Arsenal’s Brazilian Revolution, Gabriel is currently 22 years old and was previously the starting center back for Lille. He is known to have outstanding physical qualities, his body frame is beyond footballers of the same age. At height of 1.90m, it is a wonder whether he will emulate Virgil van Dijk’s success at Liverpool. Arsenal have recently found new sponsorship through sportsbet.io and maxbet.
Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) – £28m
The 24 years old new forward of Aston Villa was scoring for fun for Brentford in the Championship 2019/20. He scored 26 goals and assisted 3 in 49 appearances for Aston Villa, subsequently winning the EFL Championship Player of the Year 2019/20. He scored the only goal of the Aston Villa’s opening match against Manchester United, defeating the Red Devils, what a debut to the Premier League!
Timo Werner (Chelsea) – Undisclosed
Werner, the arguably starting center striker for the Germany National Team, has joined Chelsea FC from RB Leipzig. Prior to joining, Werner had a remarkable 34 goals in 45 appearances in all competitions. Werner’s profile is similar to Luis Suarez, Alexis Sanchez and Wayne Rooney at their peak, a hardworking and direct center forward willing to drop deep to collect the ball from midfield and possess lethal finishing. Werner is without a doubt one of the highest profile transfers to the EPL.
Hakim Ziyech (Chelsea) – £36million
Hakim Ziyech is another marquee signing of Chelsea FC. Ziyech was crucial to Ajax’s recent success in UEFA Champions League 2018/19, reaching the semi-finals. On season 2018/19, Ziyech recorded a stellar 16 goals and 13 assists in 21 matches at the Eredivisie. The Moroccan professional footballer is able to play as a winger and central attacking midfielder.
Kai Havertz (Chelsea) – £71m
Another mouth-watering transfer of Chelsea FC is Kai Havertz. Despite being young at 21 years old, Havertz had racked up 20 goals and 6 assists for Bayer Leverkusen in all competitions for season 2018/19, and 16 goals and 8 assists for season 2019/20. Havertz is one of the highest rated football wonderkids in recent seasons.
Michy Batshuayi (Crystal Palace) – Loan
Michy Batshuayi is a striker signed on loan from Chelsea FC. Batshuayi is known for his power, speed, strength, movement off the ball and link-up play. Batshuayi will be suitable for Crystal Palace speedy counter-attacking play. He also have extensive experience in the Premier League.
James Rodriguez (Everton) – £20m
James Rodriguez first made his name internationally in the FIFA world cup 2014. He won the Golden Boot as the world cup’s top goalscorer despite only reaching the quarter-finals. It was also Columbia’s highest ever achievement in the world cup. He was subsequently named in the World Cup All Star IX. He was immediately tapped up by Real Madrid after the world cup, however, his tenure at Real Madrid had both hits and misses.
He was loaned to Bayern Munich for 2017-2019, and the loan was unimpressive. Nonetheless, the talent of James is undeniable, and hopefully he will make a career revival under Carlo Ancelotti at Everton, the manager that once got the best out of him.
Allan (Everton) – £22m
Another exciting signing of Everton FC is Allan from Napoli. At 29 years old, Allan was a well-known defensive midfielder at the Italian Serie A. The combative prowess of the Brazilian International will allow James Rodriguez roam with more freedom at the final third. Allan is also capable of playing as a box-to-box midfielder like an 8.
Combine with tactical tinker Carlo Ancelotti, Everton would be interesting to watch this season.
Alphonse Areola (Fulham) – Loan
Alphonse Areola is a goalkeeper on loan from PSG to Fulham. Nevertheless, Areola is not a reject, but rather being at the highest level he has to compete with the best keepers in the world for starting position. He used to compete against legendary Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and Champions League winner Keylor Navas.
He has made records in La Liga and Ligue 1 for the longest minutes without conceding. At only 27 years of age, Areola is currently playing at his peak. Fulham has without a doubt gotten themselves an outstanding keeper and Premier League has gained an exciting addition.
Thiago Alcântara (Liverpool) – TBA
The two big name transfers at the moment of writing are Thiago Alcântara and Gareth Bale. Thiago, at 29 years old is a Barcelona Academy (La Masia) graduate. Thiago made the breakthrough to Barcelona’s squad at the age of 18 years old, but was mostly a rotational or substitute player.
In July 2013, he signed for Bayern Munich and his career has been skyrocketing and never look back. Known as the midfield maestro, Thiago’s creativity is phenomenal for Bayern’s domination of the Bundesliga, winning several accolades and most recently won the Champions League 2019/2020.
Perhaps he has won them all and long for a change of scenery prior to his retirement, Thiago’s departure to English Premier League champions Liverpool was unexpected, but will surely reinforce the Reds dominance of the league.
Rodrigo (Leeds United) – £27 million
Despite not being as prolific as other top strikers, Rodrigo of Valencia and currently Leeds United should not be under-estimated. Rodrigo has scored a total of 59 goals in 220 appearances for the Spanish side. He also scored few important match defining goals. For example, he has scored in the match against Barcelona at the Copa del Rey Final 2019, defeating the Spanish giant at a scoreline of 2-1.
More recently he has scored against Chelsea in Champions League Group Stage, winning Valencia first victory against the Blues in the club’s history.
He also scored the only goal in a 1-0 away win against Ajax to reach the knockout stage. We may witness his transformation playing attacking football under Marcelo Bielsa.
Ferran Torres (Manchester City) – £21million
Manchester City has snapped up another wonderkid in Ferran Torres. Previously playing for Valencia, Torres has yielded 6 goals and 8 assists in 44 appearances in all competitions for 2019-2020. Ferran Torres is mostly a right winger, providing 8 goals and 14 assists in 89 matches on the right flank. He likes to dribble and supply key passes.
Inheriting the number 21 shirt of David Silva, Pep Guardiola definitely rated the 20 years old and intend to groom Torres to the height of Kevin De Bruyne.
Nathan Ake (Manchester City) – £41million
New Manchester City signing Nathan Ake will compete with Benjamin Mendy for the starting left-back spot. Started in the Chelsea Youth, Nathan Ake later transferred to AFC Bournemouth and cemented his place as a starter. Nathan Ake is versatile being comfortable with both full back positions, center back and defensive midfielder.
With tactical master Pep Guardiola at the helm, Manchester City would be able to mix and match their tactics accordingly with Ake’s versatility.
Donny van de Beek (Manchester United) – £40m
Donny is well-loved by Ajax fans, his departure broke many of their fans hearts. They even gave him a commendable send off on the public road.
Donny was influential in Ajax’s run in the UEFA Champions League 2018/19, reaching the semi-finals. He scored the away goal at Spurs stadium, White Hart Lane.
His favorite position is Central Midfielder, though he could also play Left Midfielder, Attacking Midfielder and Defensive Midfielder. At the age of 23, he had racked up 36 goals and 27 assists in 118 appearances in Eredivisie and Champions League.
Ryan Fraser (Newcastle United) – Free Transfer
Ryan Fraser is Newcastle’s latest coup. He was the star of the relegated AFC Bournemouth. He had a stellar season in the Premier League 2018/19 scoring 7 and assisting 14 goals, and brought AFC Bournemouth to 14th of the table.
The Scott primarily plays as an inverted winger on the left flank, and has some brute of the English players.
Kyle Walker-Peters (Southampton) – £12m
Kyle Walker-Peters was a highly rated youth player of Tottenham Hotspurs. He did not make a stamp at the Spurs’ Senior team, but he had an impressive loan at Soton in 2019-2020. The impression is sufficient to warrant him a permanent transfer to Southampton.
He will be a challenger to the right back spot at his new club. At 23 years old, the English full back still have many years ahead of playing top tier football.
Gareth Bale (Tottenham) – Loan
Gareth Bale is part of Real Madrid’s Galactico project in the 21st century. His transfer from Tottenham to Real Madrid was not long ago the most expensive transfer in the football world. His tenure at Los Blancos is not without controversies: fans no longer adore the player or new manager not including Bale in the plans.
He had a fall out with current Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane prompting his kick out from the first team, but he is of different version in the memories of Tottenham fans. Who would forget his solo run goal defeating Inter at the Champions League, where he first gained international fame. Spurs will also welcome back their hero with open arms, in spite being a loan move.
Do not be deceived by his recent troubles as he was fundamental in Real Madrid’s three consecutive back-to-back Champions League success. In Los Blancos’ Champions League final against Liverpool, Bale swapped in as a substitute at 61st minute and scored the overhead kick to put them back in front. The match ended with the trophy in Madridistas’ arms.
It is intriguing whether Bale would be able to recover his former self for those who loved him at the White Hart Lane.
Matheus Pereira (West Brom) – Undisclosed
Matheus Pereira is a typical technically outstanding Brazilian attacking midfielder or right winger. He made his name in the English Championship by being one of the best players in 2019-2020.
The loanee from Sporting CP provided 8 goals and 16 assists for West Brom in 42 EFL appearances, securing his permanent transfer the following season. He will most likely be comfortable playing at the EPL level too.
Fabio Silva (Wolves) – £35m
For some time Fabio Silva will be remembered as the most expensive 17 years old footballer. The record signing of Wolves did not break into Porto’s first team last season and had only minor goal contributions, but Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo is adamant the Portugese teenager will be a generational talent.
Fabio is a poacher with natural positions at central striker or shadow striker. His attacking flair will suit Wolves’ aggressive attacking play style. At 185cm, Fabio is blessed with physical prowess and technical talents. He will be the new addition to the list of remarkable wonderkids of Premier League.