Will these new recruits at Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Derby County, Sheffield Wednesday and Fulham make the debuts this weekend?
The Championship returns this weekend following a two-week hiatus in which many of its clubs added to their squads. Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday all made record signings, in one way or another, but can their new recruits make immediate impacts?
5) Adam Reach – Sheffield Wednesday
It took them almost 20 years but the Owls have finally eclipsed the £4.5 million they paid for Paolo Di Canio, landing Middlesbrough’s Reach for a club-record £5 million on deadline day. Carlos Carvalhal’s team haven’t got going this season and will be looking for the winger to provide their goal-shy strike force with ammunition in Saturday’s home fixture against Wigan Athletic.
4) Matej Vydra – Derby County
The Rams had to shuffle their pack in order to sign Vydra from Watford for £8 million – another club-record – just days before the window’s end. Remarkably, the Czech was Nigel Pearson’s first permanent recruit and at that price, will be expected to make an immediate impact on his new side’s ‘goals for’ column – which currently reads ‘1’ – against Newcastle on Saturday.
3) Chris Martin – Fulham
Making way for Vydra at Derby is Martin, who was the Rams’ top scorer in each of the past three seasons but will spend the rest of the campaign on loan to Fulham. With top spot in reach if the Cottagers beat Birmingham and Huddersfield fail to beat Leeds, the Scotland international’s parent club may soon wonder what they were thinking.
2) Jonathan Kodjia – Aston Villa
The Championship’s most expensive player ever at £15 million, all eyes would be on Kodjia in Saturday’s fixture against Nottingham Forest if it weren’t for the Reds signing Nicklas Bendtner on Wednesday. Bendtner, though, hasn’t played since spring and may therefore be eased in to his new side. On the other hand, Kodjia, scorer of 20 goals for Bristol City last season, should be ready to roll.
1) Ivan Cavaleiro – Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolves’ new owners have been seeking a marquee signing all summer and finally got one in the shape of Cavaleiro on deadline day. A club-record buy at £7.5 million, the former Benfica and Monaco forward, who has been capped twice by European champions Portugal, is expected to lead the Black County club’s revival.
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