The recently concluded transfer window proved that the Barclays Premier League (BPL) is the richest league in the world, with the 20 teams spending a record £870 million (S$1.8 billion) on players. Here’s a look at five players who are expected to make a major impact at their new clubs.
Kevin De Bruyne (Wolfsburg to Manchester City)
The 24-year-old attacking midfielder has returned to the BPL after two successful seasons in the Bundesliga. De Bruyne, who played for Chelsea previously, inked a six-year contract with Manchester City for a reported sum of £58 million (S$125.4 million). He will be wearing jersey number 17 at City.
The Belgian was named Footballer of The Year in the German league last season as he scored 16 goals and created 27 assists. Linking up with the likes of David Silva, Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero, De Bruyne should prove to be a menace to defenders in the BPL and his opponents should be wary of the threat he poses.
Anthony Martial (AS Monaco to Manchester United)
Martial is the most expensive teenager in football after United paid £36 million (S$77.8 million) for the 19-year-old. The French striker has signed a four-year deal and will don the number nine shirt at Old Trafford.
Martial scored nine goals during his second season with AS Monaco, making him the top teenage scorer in Ligue 1 for 2014/2015. He has been compared to Arsenal legend and French World Cup winner Thierry Henry due to his speed and technical ability. There are doubts, however, surrounding the huge transfer fee for a footballer who is still unproven at the big stage. But all eyes will be on Martial given that club captain Wayne Rooney is the only available striker in the United squad.
Pedro (Barcelona to Chelsea)
A dynamic winger, the 28-year-old Spaniard is crossing over to the BPL from La Liga for a price of £21.1 million (S$45.6 million). Pedro put pen to paper on a four-year deal to Chelsea, after reports had strongly linked him to Manchester United earlier on in the transfer window.
Pedro has delivered a knack of performing at the big stage, most recently scoring the winning goal for Barcelona in the UEFA Super Cup against Sevilla. Wearing jersey number 17, he began his Chelsea career with a bang, as he scored on his debut in the 3-2 win against West Brom.
Xherdan Shaqiri (Inter Milan to Stoke City)
From rumours saying he’s transferring for the money to almost not getting the deal done, Xherdan Shaqiri’s transfer has got to be one of the more controversial ones this past summer. The Swiss midfielder left Inter Milan after just six months for a £12 million (S$25.9 million) four-year deal at Stoke City. He will be wearing the number 22 jersey for the Potters.
The 23-year-old has represented Switzerland in both the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups and is well-known for his winning hat trick against Honduras. A natural attacking midfielder, Shaqiri has the agility and the pace to help Stoke strengthen their side following the departure of midfielder Steven N’Zonzi.
Son Heung Min (Bayer Leverkusen to Tottenham Hotspurs)
The promising 23-year-old forward came to White Hart Lane for a five-year contract worth £22 million (S$47.6 million). He will be wearing jersey number seven for Spurs. Son has made quite a name for himself in the Bundesliga as well as in his native South Korea.
Son showed his potential by scoring an impressive hat trick for South Korea against Laos in an 8-0 win during the qualification rounds for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Son is known to be a direct player and he should provide amicable support for England striker, Harry Kane.
