After 3 months of waiting, the Premier League is back. The opening day kicks off today, with Arsenal facing Leicester City this weekend. Here we have five players to watch out for in the Premier league this weekend.
Clubs are splashing money into the market and new players are coming in everyday to take part in the toughest league in the world.
With so many major signings done and underway, the spotlight shifts to a few players who will try fulfil the expectations of their clubs and their fans.
Sead Kolasinac
The Bosnian international joined the Gunners on a free transfer from Schalke FC. The left-back had a stellar last season, not only at the back but also a threat going forward. Coupled with his pace and vision, he has the potential to become one of the best in the Premier League.
With Bellerin taking up as the other full-back, Arsenal have seemed to found the perfect balance. With experienced defenders in Koscielny and Mertesacker, the Gunners hope to fill the gaps.
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Kolasinac had an impressive preseason, netting and assisting one on his debut. His attacking mind set fits the Arsenal style of play, whose main strategy is now to run down the flank and fling in the crosses.
This weekend is a crucial one for him, having to match the skill and style of Riyadh Mahrez who bolts down the wings and grabs goals for fun. If he manages to contain Mahrez, he will definitely be one of the first names on the team sheet from now on.
Antonio Rudiger
The 24-year old was signed by the Blues for €35 mil from Roma. He was an integral part of the Italian team who had the highest number of clean sheets last season, who ended the season as runners up for the Serie A title.
His stellar performances earned him a call up for the German national team and went on to win the Confederations Cup. He is remembered for his goal line save in the semi-finals.
Chelsea have a lot of talent at the back, with youngster Kurt Zouma and the more experienced Gary Cahill captaining the team. The German is a raw talent, an uncut diamond. Given AN opportunity, he can develop into one of the best in the world.
Chelsea, on the other hand signed the youngster to fulfil the shoes of their legendary captain John Terry. It is extremely hard for the for any player to raise their standards for the Premier League, let alone fill the shoes of the Englishman.
He should have no problem settling in with the team. But how he adjusts to Chelsea’s style of play- a more attacking and pacey one, remains to be seen.
Alvaro Morata
The Spaniard has been a point of attraction throughout the summer, with multiple clubs aiming to add him to their ranks. Ultimately, Real Madird decided to let go of their man when Conte came knocking, after long drawn negotiations with United seem to lead nowhere.
Morata has been one of the most prized assets of Madrid for the past two-three years. His initial loan spell with Juventus prompted the Turin based club to sign him immediately. He lifted the Seria A cup that year, beating Roma for the title.
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Real Madrid came back for their player, but he was sparsely used throughout next season. He was second fiddle to Benzema, who re-found himself and was a part of the deadly combination alongside Ronaldo and Bale.
He moved to the Blues looking for regular first team action and Conte seems to have promised him exactly that. He was rusty during preseason, and was wasteful with the opportunities provided. The team missed the dominant presence of Deigo Costa and Morata was unable to fill his shoes.
The 24-year old is indeed a good investment, but whether he strikes the right chord on his debut is something we will have to see.
Romelu Lukaku
A video popped up out of the blue during the summer where Lukaku told Pogba that he’d see him on Monday in training. One of the most epic ways to announce a move indeed.
Romelu Lukaku moved to the Theatre of Dreams from Everton, after interest from his boyhood club, Chelsea.
The Belgian is one of the most consistent and established goal scorers in the Premier League, bagging at least 15 goals in each of the past 4 seasons.
A well-built lethal finisher, he is a player who can hold the ball and start play in his own half. Coupled with his pace, his ability to poach goals makes him one of the most dangerous players in the PL.
Lukaku scored on his debut for United, during a friendly against arch rivals Manchester City in the USA.
Ever since the departure of Van Persie, the Red Devils have struggled for a finisher up front. Signing Ibrahimovic was one of the best moves ever, but they decided to let him go after just one season at the club.
Lukaku will provide the much needed firepower. His ariel ability will be fully exploited by Mourinho, who has built a team full of giants. His first match this season is against West Brom, his old club where he shot to glory.
Alexandre Lacazette
Back to RVP again. The Gunners never found a replacement for their sharp-shooter who spent more than 5 years at the club when he left for Manchester United. Olivier Giroud is someone who does bring in goals, but seems to disappear when needed the most.
Alexis Sanchez has carried Arsenal on his back for the past two years. The arrival of Lacazette has been a welcome move, a much needed one as well.
Lacazette has attracted interest from many clubs in the past few years, leading Olympique Lyon from the front. He sealed his move to the Emirates stadium for a fee of €53 mil.
He is currently one of the most lethal strikers in Europe, netting 37 goals in 45 matches for the French side. He is a traditional centre-forward, who creates the game both on and off the ball up front..
He had a pretty good preseason, settling in well with his team mates. The English league though is a highly paced and physically tormenting league, with only players of the highest standards establishing themselves.
Arsenal will be hoping that the 26-year old can meet the standards and fire them to glory.
