StaffWith the return of top-flight football imminently upon the horizon, stadia back to their bolstering best, and plenty of cheques being signed by owners across the Premier League, there are plenty of fresh faces donning new shirts. The big boys continue to flex their financial muscles, with Manchester United eventually completing moves for well-established names Jadon Sancho and Raphaël Varane.
Normality now looks to be slowly returning. With a proper pre-season and transfer window to prepare for the upcoming season, new signings have been negotiated and finalized more efficiently. Last summer, the late restart to the league led to some clubs having slightly longer to scout players. This led to a better caliber of players being recruited, and fewer panic deals – case in point are signings like Thiago Alcântara to Liverpool, Edinson Cavani to United, and Tomáš Sou?ek to West Ham.
Despite the big clubs looking to extend their superiority over the rest of the league, some other sides lower down the pecking order have done some fantastic business.
Here are some of the transfers you may have missed or overlooked that have the potential to set the league alight this season.
Emiliano Buendía (Aston Villa)
With so much speculation over the potential departure of Aston Villa talisman Jack Grealish to Manchester City, which would ultimately brandish them clear favourites to retain the title on the Premier League winner odds market, Villa were wise to ward off the likes of Arsenal and secure the signature of Emi Buendía from Norwich City. In a best-case scenario, Grealish stays, and Buendía adds his dynamism and creativity to an already impressive Villa front line. The Argentinian impressed during his first stint in the top flight with the Canaries despite being relegated, and now after 12 months in England’s second tier, he has the opportunity to justify his £38 million move.
Billy Gilmour (Norwich)
Moving on to the player seemingly dealt the task to fill the outgoing Buendia’s boots – Scottish youngster Billy Gilmour. Although his Euro 2020 tournament was cut short due to COVID, the midfielder flourished in just his second season of senior football but appeared to lack the experience required by Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel to be a regular at Stamford Bridge. Since his arrival, the Blues have been rampant with all the English Premier League Betting Tips suggesting his side could mount a title challenge (no pun intended). However, Daniel Farke may give Gilmour the opportunity he needs. His diminutive stature and low center of gravity mean he can dribble in style redolent of Buendía, whilst also displaying the versatility to sit deeper as an eight or pivot and control the tempo of games. He could end up playing a big part in Norwich’s survival this season.
Junior Firpo (Leeds)
It may come as a surprise to see a left-back be on a list of players who could ‘light up’ the Premier League. Still, the importance of good full-backs in the modern game, especially one incorporated to Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa, is imperative to succeed. Despite a ninth-place finish last season, Leeds must be wary not to get too comfortable in the top flight. Sheffield United are a prime example of poor recruitment ,costing them a place in the Premier League last season despite a bright start. Leeds’ acquisition of Junior Firpo is smart business as the former Barcelona man spent the majority of his two-year tenure in Catalonia as an understudy to Jordi Alba. The £12.8 million move for the Spaniard makes sense for both parties as Barcelona makes much-needed funds on a player surplus to requirements and Leeds get a direct and energetic left-back, comfortable in possession and possessing the stamina to play Bielsa’s aggressive counter-pressing style.
Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool)
The imperious French central defender Ibrahima Konaté had his release clause triggered by Liverpool at the start of the transfer window and joins the Reds from RB Leipzig for £36 million. At 6’4″ and just 22 years old, the Parisian would provide healthy competition for Joe Gomez and Joel Matip, whilst providing stability at the back, dominance in the air, and speed on the cover, all whilst honing his craft under the tutelage of Virgil van Dijk. Konaté is versatile and able to deputise at right-back in the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold or if Welshman Neco Williams fails to impress the Anfield faithful.
Patson Daka (Leicester City)
Patson Daka arrived at the King Power Stadium this summer with an impressive goalscoring record from last season. The £23 million man bagged 34 goals for RB Salzburg last season, whilst also impressing many in Europe. Daka has drawn comparisons to current Leicester talisman Jamie Vardy for his pace and ability to run in behind defenders to score goals. With Vardy seemingly ageing like a fine wine and Kelechi Iheanacho enjoying a noteworthy run of form, the Foxes’ forward line looks formidable. Suppose Brendan Rodgers’ side can implement Daka, who can play out wide as well as down the middle. In that case, they have to be in with a chance of finally securing Champions League football — having garnered two close pursuits but ultimately falling short at the final hurdle.
