Yes, you know all about Erling Haaland’s, the Darwin Nunez’s and the Wesley Fofana’s. But how many of these 10 Premier League signings passed you by this summer?
Ludwig Augustinsson – Aston Villa, loan
Capped nearly 50 times by the Swedish national team, Augustinsson’s vast experience could come in very handy if anything happens to Lucas Digne between now and May. Formerly of Werder Bremen and Copenhagen, the 28-year-old joined Aston Villa on loan after a forgettable stint at Sevilla and takes Matt Targett’s place Steven Gerrard’s squad.
Joe Rothwell – AFC Bournemouth, free transfer
Much has been made of Bournemouth’s perceived lack of ambition in the transfer market. At least, when compared to fellow newcomers Nottingham Forest. The arrival of Joe Rothwell from Blackburn Rovers, however, is proof of the value that can be found in the free-agent market.
One of the most technically gifted footballers in the Championship, Rothwell’s ball-carrying skills and dextrous dribbling could make him a fans’ favourite when he returns from injury.
Julio Enciso – Brighton and Hove Albion, £10m
Arsenal reportedly scouted the 18-year-old before Brighton took a £10 million punt on Enciso’s talents. And, according to Paraguayan legend Roque Santa Cruz, the diminutive centre-forward is ‘the most promising talent’ to emerge from the South American nation of late; an opinion backed up by the fact that Enciso already has six caps for his country before celebrating his 19th birthday.
Gabriel Slonina – Chelsea, £12m
Thomas Tuchel did not hand a single Premier League minute to any of Chelsea’s teenagers in 2021/22. And, when you consider that the Blues spent around £30 million on Slonina and Carney Chukwuemeka in the off-season, you can understand why such a stat might have concerned Todd Boehly and co. Especially if Chelsea are determined to make Stamford Bridge home to some of the game’s brightest young talents.
Former Chicago Fire ‘keeper Slonina has drawn comparisons with ‘a young Gigi Buffon’. His agent, meanwhile, admitted that Real Madrid showed an interest before Chelsea got their man.
Ruben Vinagre – Everton, loan
Returning to England a year after being let go by Wolverhampton Wanderers, Vinagre may feel he has a point to prove at Goodison Park. Still only 23, there’s certainly plenty of time on the left-back’s side as he looks to iron out the defensive kinks that cost him his place at Molineux.
Vinagre has made just two substitute appearances for Everton thus far with Vitaliy Mykolneko currently Frank Lampard’s first choice.
Darko Gyabi – Leeds United, £5m
Amid all the focus on Kalvin Phillips’ mega-money move to Manchester City, that Darko Gyabi moved in the other direction perhaps understandably flew under the radar. Leeds paid £5 million for the London-born teen, while handing him the number 18 shirt at Elland Road. Two factors that may point to a first-team role sooner rather than later.
Joel Robles – Leeds United, free
With only Kristoffer Klaessen providing back up for Illan Meslier last season, Leeds went into the window looking to add some Premier League nous to a rather callow crop of goalkeepers. Enter Joel Robles; a 32-year-old who made over 50 top-flight appearances for Everton and Wigan Athletic.
Robles played his part as Real Betis secured Europa League qualification in 2021/22.
Hwang Ui-Jo – Nottingham Forest, £4m
Forest fans will be waiting a while to see Hwang in Garibaldi red. The South Korea international, after confirming interest from West Ham, joined Steve Cooper’s much-changed side instead last month before moving on loan to Greek-based sister club Olympiakos for the 2022/23 season.
Hwang scored an impressive 23 Ligue 1 goals in two years at struggling Bordeaux.
Mateusz Lis – Southampton, free
Another Premier League newcomer set to spend the season out on loan. Polish goalkeeper Lis joined Southampton on a free-transfer but will be plying his trade across the Channel at Troyes. Once he returns next summer, Lis could be ready to take Alex McCarthy’s place in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s roster.
Destiny Udogie – Tottenham Hotspur, £18m
Unlike Hwang and Lis, who joined new clubs on loan before September’s deadline, Udogie will spent 2022/23 at the side where he made his name. Tottenham fought off competition from Brighton and Manchester City for the £18 million Italy U21 international, and the swashbuckling wing-back has certainly picked up where he left off since returning to Udinese.
He was the driving force behind the 4-0 drubbing of Jose Mourinho’s Roma this month.
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