While a host of players may be set to make their debuts over the weekend, we take a look at five performances that could standout from the rest.
With the Premier League returning this weekend after the international break, a number of players will be set to make their debuts after the close of the transfer window.
But it is not just deadline day signings that could make their debuts, Manchester City could have Claudio Bravo making his Premier League bow, whilst Leroy Sane and Ilkay Gundogan could also make first appearances in the Manchester derby, after overcoming injuries that have so far kept them out of Pep Guardiola’s starting lineups.
With a host a new signings gracing the Premier League this weekend, we take a look at five of the most anticipated debuts.
Simone Zaza
Signed on a season long loan from Juventus, Zaza could be set for his debut as West Ham United play Watford at the London Stadium. Zaza is best remembered for a ridiculous penalty at Euro 2016, but is a real marquee signing by Slaven Bilic. What Zaza brings to West Ham is a genuine attacking threat with Andy Carroll regularly suffering injury problems, something West Ham have so far been lacking this season, and with Dimitri Payet returning from injury, things are starting to look up for Bilic’s side.
Simone Zaza celebrates after scoring.
In front of goal West Ham have struggled and the signing of Zaza, to lead their attack, signifies Bilic’s intent to solve a problem area, and while the former Juventus frontman has not been prolific in front of goal in past seasons, he has managed 25 goals from 25 games from the bench, indicating he can shine when given the chance.
Lucas Perez
The signing of Lucas Perez is a gamble, but a gamble Arsene Wenger was happy to take after the Spanish forward scored 17 goals in La Liga last season. Perez was a shining light for Deportivo La Coruna and while it may not be the standout signing Arsenal fans were looking for, Perez brings a style similar to Jamie Vardy.
The signing represents a possible shift in how Arsenal will play going forward. Wenger has so far shown faith and loyalty to Olivier Giroud, but the signing of Perez indicates that Wenger may now be looking to shift the style of play.
Islam Slimani
Leicester City’s only move on the final day of transfer deadline day was a huge one, completing the signing of Sporting Lisbon’s Algerian international Islam Slimani. Claudio Ranieri’s side smashed their club transfer record by paying £30 million for the 28-year-old, who scored 27 goals for Sporting last season.
Slimani will give Leicester alternative attacking options and poses a different kind of threat to the one currently offered by Riyad Mahrez or Jamie Vardy. A more physical presence than the pace offered by those two players, Slimani is a hugely competent goalscorer and Leicester will hope the Algerian can repeat his form from last season, with the Foxes defending their Premier League crown.
Football Soccer – Sporting v Porto – Portuguese Premier League
Didier Ndong
Sunderland paid a club record £13.6 million for Gabon International Ndong on the final day of the transfer deadline and the club will be hoping he can have a similar impact to the one that Yann M’Vila had last season for the Black Cats.
The 22-year-old signed a five-year deal at the Stadium of Light after 18 months at the French club, with the fee being the highest Sunderland have paid up front for a player. Ndong is a promising young midfielder, who can break up play, but there is a belief that at present the midfielder is limited in the attacking sense, something David Moyes will be hoping can be developed playing in the Premier League.
Claudio Bravo
Signed from Barcelona at the end of the transfer window for £15.4 million to be the number one goalkeeper at the Etihad, Bravo brings the style of play that Pep Guardiola is looking for. The decision to bring Bravo to City was Guardiola’s big statement, and the former Barca stopper could be set to make his debut in the Manchester Derby no less, as Guardiola goes up against arch rival Jose Mourinho.
Throwing Bravo in at the deep end will very much underline Pep’s faith in the Chilean, something he did’t have in the much loved, but now departed, Joe Hart.
Picture Supplied by Action Images – Claudio Bravo
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