Fresh blood, younger bosses and a new breed of top talent – all set to light up the Premier League in the coming season.
New names will be entrusted with Fantasy team positions, particularly after the promise they’ve shown in pre-season or, in the case of Arsenal’s Dani Ceballos, in Spain’s victorious Under-21 European Championship campaign.
And a clutch of stars will be tasked with proving the difference in terms of improving some clubs and taking others to the next level.
Also among them, Manchester United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who has had the club’s fans drooling during pre-season with his speed and defensive awareness. It suggests the shirt will not weigh heavy on his back after the move from Crystal Palace.
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But it is Tottenham’s Tanguy Ndombele who appears to have made the biggest statement – both in terms of what his signing represents to the club and first impressions.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy shattered the club’s transfer record for the 22-year-old’s £65million signature.
Regular Champions League football – and Tottenham’s success at reaching last-year’s final –means the club are no longer fishing in the bargain bucket.
Ndombele’s capture is proof Spurs are moving to the next level. That an approach for a top player can no longer be met with the snorts of derision and Twitter comedy of the past.
On the pitch, the signs are good too. His first three touches, after coming on to the pitch as a pre-season substitute against Juventus, were to intercept the ball and play Lucas Moura in for a goal.
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The footage from the game against United, in which Ndombele sat Paul Pogba down on his backside, has had nearly a quarter of a million views. The former Lyon man is set to form a formidable alliance alongside Moussa Sissoko, who has already taken him under his wing.
In terms of value for money, Ndombele’s pre-season should mean he is able to hit the ground running. He could prove the best of the summer’s high-profile new boys.
The competition, though, is strong. Such is the quality at Real Madrid, Ceballos – a skilful, attacking midfielder – has had to go to Arsenal for first-team football. Spurs bowed out after being told they would not have an option to buy the 22-year-old next summer. Arsenal were willing to take the hit.
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Manchester City midfielder Rodri, 23, has been signed as a long-term successor to 34-year-old Fernandinho. The younger man, formerly of Atletico Madrid, will be entrusted with providing the platform for City’s flair players to express themselves. The initial signs are also positive. Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic dazzled in the club’s win over Barcelona to such an extent the Spanish media highlighted his talents.
The USA star, 20, has been at pains to make clear he does not want to be seen as a replacement for Eden Hazard. Pulisic did, however, provide a threat from the left against Barca to bode well for the coming season.
On the face of it, the £40million paid by Newcastle to Hoffenheim for striker Joelinton looks big for a player who has scored just 21 times in the six seasons of his career so far.
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Yet Joelinton – a right footer competent on his left – remains highly rated. The 22-year-old can operate as a penalty-box target-man, but also has the vision and mobility to drop deeper and link play.
The next 10 months will decide which of the latest Premier League intake provides value for money. All of them have fans eager for the games to begin.
