With the international break over, the Premier League can now take centre stage once again. A host of new players will be on show for their new clubs this weekend and this article will review whether or not these players will be a hit and what to expect from them.
Danny Welbeck: Arsenal
Welbeck now has the opportunity to have a sustained period of games in his preferred role of striker. At Manchester United that opportunity never arose with Van Persie and Rooney being the first choice strikers, with the arrival of Falcao at Manchester United, Welbeck knew his time was up. After his 2 goals for England in midweek, Welbeck will be hoping to take that form into his new club side. With Giroud out injured, Welbeck will be vying with Sanogo for a starting berth at Arsenal. His pace and work rate has never been questioned however his ability to convert goal scoring opportunities has been his regular undoing time will tell whether he can answer those critics.
Tom Cleverley: Aston Villa
Things didn’t really work out for Cleverley at Manchester United, after having a positive start to his United career Cleverley hasn’t kicked on like many expected. At one stage last season Cleverley had become the scapegoat of the United side and was subject to boos from many fans. After a frantic wait to see whether his deadline day move to Villa had gone through, Cleverley now has the chance to defy the critics and become a key player at Aston Villa. Cleverley was seen as Mr safe whilst playing at Manchester United, will he be more willing to take risks whilst in possession at Villa. If Cleverley gets a consistent run of games alongside Fabian Delph in the heart of Villa’s midfield, then he could flourish and be a huge asset.
Nathaniel Chalobah: Burnley
Chalobah has had successful loan spells at Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough and Watford recently. Now he has the opportunity to test himself at Premier League level with Burnley. His first mission will be to become a regular fixture in the Burnley starting line-up, Chalobah is a young man with a big future ahead of him. Mourinho will be hoping that he flourishes at Premier League level; if Chalobah does have a breakthrough year with Burnley then he could well find himself in the Chelsea set up sooner rather than later.
Loic Remy: Chelsea
Remy hardly had a boring summer; it seemed a formality that he was going to be a Liverpool player only for the deal to be called off last minute. It seemed that Remy had reluctantly accepted that he was going to be a QPR player for the foreseeable future. However a deal with Chelsea was concluded very quickly. With Chelsea competing in numerous competitions and Mourinho being a strong believer in squad rotation, Remy will have plenty of chances to become an instant hit with the Chelsea fans. If for any reason Diego Costa does get a bad injury, Mourinho will know that in Remy he has a proven goal scorer that can torment defences.
Zeki Fryers: Crystal Palace
Since leaving Manchester United for first team football, Fryers has struggled to establish himself and at Tottenham he never really knocked on the first team door. Now at Crystal Palace, Fryers will hope that Neil Warnock will be able to get his career back on track and aid him in living up to the talent which he once showed so regularly in Manchester United’s youth team. Fryers is still very young but it’s pivotal that he plays regularly in order to progress and develop his game.
James McArthur: Crystal Palace
I believe McArthur will be a great signing for Crystal Palace; he has performed at a consistently high level for the last few years. Palace had to beat off other teams to secure McArthur’s signature, his work rate and presence will improve Palace. The signings that Warnock made late in the Transfer Window were all positive ones and after a tough summer for Palace fans they can now move forward with optimism.
Mo Diame: Hull City
Hull City arguably had the best deadline day out of all the Premier League sides; they caught many people off guard with their signings. Mo Diame was one of their deadline day signings, on his day Diame can cause any side problems with his strength, pace and power. Hull City now possess a very strong midfield with the likes of Diame, Huddlestone and Livermore all being able to take a game by the scuff of their necks.
Hatem Ben-Arfa: Hull City
It seemed that Ben-Arfa was destined to stay at Newcastle and as a result face a long period of time in exile. It was made public that there was no longer a healthy relationship between Ben-Arfa and Newcastle manager Alan Pardew. Ben-Arfa reportedly turned down the chance to go Birmingham City on loan, Steve Bruce saw an opportunity and it could well turn into a cracking piece of business. When on song Ben-Arfa has the ability to make the game look easy, if he maintains the right attitude and desire then Hull City fans could well be in for a treat.
Abel Hernandez: Hull City
The signings of Ben-Arfa, Diame, Ramirez and Hernandez are real statements of intent by Hull City, if the new signings manage to conjure up a positive understanding then many Premier League sides will not relish going to the KC stadium. Hernandez revealed that he turned down many top European clubs to go to Hull which shows he is excited by the plans the club has. He has been dubbed as a future star of Uruguayan Football so he will not be fazed by the pressure of the £11m price tag.
Esteban Cambiasso: Leicester City
Pearson will be thrilled to have added someone of the pedigree of Cambiasso to the Leicester ranks. For the rest of the squad, just training and interacting with Cambiasso will be huge for them and they will be learning from him all the time. Although he is new to the Premier League his experience and calmness could prove crucial for The Foxes in their bid to beat the drop.
Nick Powell: Leicester City
Powell was eager to move from Manchester United on loan and further his development, after a successful loan spell with Wigan last year and having the opportunity to play in the Europa League, Powell will be eager to tackle the Premier League. He can play in a variety of different positions but he will be looking to become a regular at the heart of Leicester’s midfield possibly next to Cambiasso. Van Gaal will be keeping a close eye on Powell’s performances and there is no denying the talent Powell has.
Adam Lallana: Liverpool
An injury in preseason thwarted Lallana’s chance to make his debut for Liverpool against his former side Southampton. Now available Lallana will be looking to replicate the performances he showed for Southampton last season. With Liverpool possessing so many attacking options, Lallana will look to impress from the outset. Lallana is a wonderful player to watch, he will certainly add creativity and goal scoring threat to a strong Liverpool side.
Frank Lampard: Manchester City
After leaving Chelsea this summer, no one would have predicted seeing Lampard in a Manchester City shirt just a few months later. He is yet to feature for Manchester City but there could come a time when he is required and no matter his age he will always have the ability to be a match winner. With City being in a lot of big competitions and having a strong squad, Lampard may get his chance but will probably have to deal with being an impact player.
Eliaquim Mangala: Manchester City
Mangala was City’s big signing this summer, £32m was the fee to bring the French international to City from Porto. Mangala has been courted by many top clubs for many years now and City will be hopeful that he will strike a formidable partnership with club captain Vincent Kompany. If he does hit the ground running then City’s strength in depth will look grim reading for the opposition.
Luke Shaw: Manchester United
Although Shaw has not been available for selection due to injury, he has been a constant feature in the news due to his reported attitude towards maintaining fitness levels. Shaw will be aware of his price tag and the pressure that comes with that. Once fit Shaw will look to kick on and become a key part of Van Gaal’s system, with many years ahead of him it’s pivotal that Shaw stays grounded and remains eager to improve.
Marcos Rojo: Manchester United
It has been a frustrating time for Rojo recently, after completing his move to Manchester United he has to remain patient and wait for his work permit to be granted. Now available Rojo will be hoping to replicate his World Cup form and sure up a Manchester United defence which has looked dodgy in the opening weeks of the season.
Daley Blind: Manchester United
Blind’s signing went under the radar due to the Falcao signature which caught everyone off guard. Blind however could be exactly what United have been crying out for a long period of time, his ability to play in defence and midfield is welcomed versatility and a welcome dilemma for Van Gaal of where to fit Blind in. At 24, he is the perfect age to develop into a crucial player for United.
Radamel Falcao: Manchester United
Falcao signing for Manchester United is a real statement of intent, Van Gaal now has a predicament on his hands, and how does he fit in the likes of Falcao, Rooney, Van Persie, Mata and Di Maria all into the same team. If Falcao shows no ill effects of the knee injury which kept him out for 6 months then United will have one of the best strikers in the world within their ranks. Falcao will be looking to put a smile back on the face of the United fans and if his goal record is anything to go by he shouldn’t have a problem in doing just that.
Sandro: Queens Park Rangers
Harry Redknapp will be very happy to be reunited with Sandro; Sandro will add physical presence and the ability to break up oppositions attack. He picked up consistent injuries at the back end of his time at Tottenham. But when fit and playing regularly he could become a key part of Redknapp’s team.
Eduardo Vargas: Queens Park Rangers
Vargas was a constant menace for Chile at the World Cup, his pace and finishing ability will bolster QPR’s attacking options. If given opportunities I’m sure Vargas will score the goals to keep QPR in the Premier League, playing with fellow countryman Isla will help him settle and get use to the surroundings. With Remy no longer at Lotfus Road, Vargas and Charlie Austin’s goals will be crucial.
Toby Alderweireld: Southampton
Alderweireld needs regular football after such a disjointed season at Atletico Madrid, his ability to play centre back and right back will provide Koeman with more defensive options. After losing Lovren this summer, Koeman will be hopeful that Alderweireld can become the enforcer at the heart of the Saints defence. Playing in the Champions League and World Cup last year shows what a talented player he is.
Sadio Mane: Southampton
The £11m signing from Red Bull Salzburg should bolster the Saints squad and complete what has been an action packed summer for Southampton. Mané, a Senegal international, could prove a shrewd buy for Ronald Koeman if he hits the ground running.
Sebastian Coates: Sunderland
Coates has played in the Premier League before and will offer competition, but more likely cover, for first-choice centre-back pairing of John O’Shea and Wes Brown. Coates struggled at Liverpool and will have to be patient, but the fact his manager is a fellow Uruguayan may help bring out the best in him.
Ricardo Alvarez: Sunderland
Alvarez has not had the best of times in Italy with Inter Milan which is why Sunderland have managed to sign him on loan. The jury is still out at this stage, there is no questioning his raw ability but his inconsistencies have let him down on too many occasions. Time will tell whether he will be a hit in the Premier League. I would say he will need time to adapt to the physical side of the English game but I think one training session with Lee Cattermole and he will very much be aware of how players can tackle.
Federico Fernandez: Swansea
Fernandez was a very good piece of business by Swansea, after losing Chico Flores, Swansea have managed to sign a World Cup Finalist who has played in many big matches. Once Fernandez establishes himself in the Swansea side he could build a solid defensive partnership with club captain Ashley Williams. Swansea have made a positive start to the new season and Fernandez will be eager to contribute.
Federico Fazio: Tottenham Hotspur
Fazio will bolster Tottenham’s backline and look to help a side which conceded a lot of goals in crucial games last season. Fazio is a strong defender who shouldn’t have any issues in adapting to the physical side of the English game. He was an integral part of the Sevilla side that won the Europa League last season and will be able to cope with the pressure of playing in high profile games.
Joleon Lescott: West Bromich Albion
After winning the title with Manchester City in 2012, Lescott slowly moved further down the pecking order at the Ethiad. Now at West Brom, Lescott has the opportunity to become the commander of the West Brom backline and get back to playing regular football week in week out. There is no questioning Lescott’s defensive ability; he can also provide an attacking threat of set pieces as well.
Alex Song: West Ham United
Alex Song never really came to grips with being a Barcelona player, before moving to the Spanish giants, Song was performing at a very high level with Arsenal. West Ham now have a player with proven Premier League quality and a man who feels he has a point to prove. Once Song regains his confidence, West Ham and Allardyce will reap the rewards.
Tom and Dan Oracles of World Football 