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Six Premier League summer signings we can’t wait to see debut

Premier League clubs have been busy strengthening their squads ahead of the new campaign and a whole host of new faces have arrived into the division this summer.

English clubs have again splashed the cash in a bid to improve and there’s been no shortage of exciting signings who fans will be eager to see in action for the first time.

Ahead of the Premier League’s opening weekend, we look at six players we can’t wait to see debut.

Dominik Szoboszlai

Liverpool’s much-needed midfield overhaul has taken place this summer with Dominik Szoboszlai the marquee arrival to improve an ageing engine room.

The Hungarian has followed a well-trodden path from Red Bull Salzburg, to Germany, and onto the Premier League and hopes are high that Szoboszlai can provide an injection of quality into Jurgen Klopp’s side.

The 22-year-old has a combination of work-rate and technique that will offer encouragement he can succeed in English football, with Curtis Jones having labelled the energy of his new team-mate ‘mad’ during an impressive pre-season campaign.

Already captain of the Hungary national team and winner of back-to-back DFB-Pokal triumphs at RB Leipzig across the last two seasons, Szoboszlai is a versatile creative threat who can help lessen the responsibility on Trent Alexander-Arnold to make things happen. Well-versed in high-intensity pressing and with a reputation for stunning strikes from distance, the ingredients are there for Szoboszlai to become an Anfield favourite.

 

Jurrien Timber

Arsenal have followed a strong season under Mikel Arteta with a statement of intent in the transfer market, spending more than £200m on new additions to improve the squad. While Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and David Raya are all well known to Premier League fans, Jurrien Timber will be making his debut in the division after arriving from Ajax.

The Dutch defender made a solid start with an impressive performance during the club’s Community Shield win over Manchester City last weekend, excelling in an unfamiliar left-back role and making a fine block to deny Cole Palmer.

Timber is adaptable in terms of position and progressive in possession, earning a reputation as one of the best defenders outside Europe’s top five leagues at Ajax. The 22-year-old was named as the Eredivisie Player of the Season as Ajax won the title in 2021/22 and appears ready for the step up in English football.

In a division now packed with defenders comfortable in possession and crucial to build-up from the backline, Timber has the talent to stand out from the crowd.

Nicolas Jackson

An injured hamstring has proven to be a sliding doors moment for Nicolas Jackson. But for that issue, the forward would be lining up this weekend in a Bournemouth shirt after the Cherries agreed a £22.5m deal to sign the forward from Villarreal in January.

Jackon’s failed medical saw him remain in Spain and six months later Chelsea came knocking, agreeing a deal to bring the Senegal international to the Premier League. The 21-year-old was a standout performer on the club’s pre-season tour of the USA and will be expected to lead the line as Chelsea’s campaign gets underway against Liverpool on Sunday.

Jackson scored two goals and provided three assists in pre-season, though it is his all-round threat which has most impressed. Bullish, strong, tireless and tenacious, Jackson’s movement in and out of possession can offer Chelsea new threat this season. The west Londoners scored just 38 goals in the Premier League last season, their lowest return in a league season since 1924, and will look to the new recruit to end their troubles in the final third.

Christopher Nkunku’s knee surgery means the onus on Jackson will be even greater, but the early indications are that he can be a success at Stamford Bridge.

Moussa Diaby

Aston Villa’s summer business has represented coup after coup, with the club following the eye-catching arrivals of Youri Tielemans and Pau Torres with a club-record deal for Moussa Diaby.

The winger had been linked with a number of leading clubs during a successful spell at Bayer Leverkusen, where the Frenchman produced 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions last season.

Direct and dangerous, Diaby scored in pre-season friendly fixtures against Brighton and Fulham as Villa competed in the USA-held Premier League Summer Series and has already shown he has match-winning capabilities when moving in from a wide role.


The 24-year-old has earned 10 caps for France at international level and adds to the excitement building at Villa Park. Unai Emery’s arrival as manager transformed the team last season and the club’s impressive additions have raised optimism of a successful season and push for Europa Conference League success.

Josko Gvardiol

Manchester City are rather less free-spending than in years gone by, but the Premier League champions are certainly willing to splash the cash for the right player.

Josko Gvardiol is the man Pep Guardiola believes can improve his treble-winning side with City having spent €90m to land the highly-rated Croatian centre-back.

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic has already declared the 21-year-old ‘the best central defender in the world’ after two excellent seasons in the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig and a prominent role in his country’s run to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals.

Gvardiol is a powerhouse performer with the confidence to carry – or pass – the ball through opposition lines, possessing the raw attributes to thrive in the three-man defensive system Guardiola implemented last season.

No player who attempted 15+ dribbles could better Gvardiol’s success rate (88.9%) in the Bundesliga last season and his ability to charge forward and break lines will add a new weapon to City’s build up. Guardiola has began collecting commanding and progressive central defenders and might just have signed the most promising one in European football.

Andre Onana

Erik ten Hag’s second season at Manchester United will involve further moves to implement his chosen style, with a notable change in goal after Andre Onana’s arrival to replace David de Gea as number one.

De Gea has departed after more than a decade with the Red Devils as Ten Hag seeks greater composure and ability in possession, attributes which have led to a reunion with former Ajax goalkeeper Onana.

The Cameroonian is confidence personified on the ball and has impressed with his distribution, while his shot-stopping saw the 27-year-old lead the Champions League for saves and clean sheets as Inter Milan reached the final last season.

Onana will come under pressure as Manchester United’s new first-choice goalkeeper, but appears to have the confidence and character to handle the demands. His style, however, may lead to more than a few heart-in-mouth moments around Old Trafford this season with Onana bold on the ball and unafraid to invite pressure from opposition attackers. At the very least, it will be fun to watch.

Read – Seven Premier League players to watch out for in 2023/24

Read Also – Fantasy Premier League: Gameweek 1 preview and tips

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Andre OnanaArsenalAston VillaChelseaDominik SzoboszlaiJosko GvardiolJurrien TimberLatest Arsenal newsLatest Chelsea newsLatest Liverpool newsLatest Manchester United newsLatest Premier League newsManchester CityManchester UnitedMoussa DiabyNicolas Jackson