Premier League New Boys: The Story So Far

The nether regions of the Premier League were not shut out of the marketplace, with high profile names joining a number of lower rung teams who were looking to knock the big boys off their ivory towers.

Chelsea had been the busiest side with regard to securing signatures. Following an underwhelming 2019/2020 season which was initially mired by a summer transfer ban, the Blues launched an all-out transfer bash in an effort to disrupt the two-horse race led by Liverpool and Manchester City in recent years.

As another exciting premier league season continues, with all of its characteristic drama, Eko Hot Blog takes a look at a few debutants and how they have fared in their their foray in Europe’s most-watched league.

1. Timo Werner
The German forward made a name for himself bulging the net for relatively unknown RB Leipzig which has been punching above its weight in recent years. Blessed with blistering pace and high-level finishing ability, Werner has been one of Europe’s most prolific marksmen for the better part of three years. While there was no guarantee the German will hit the ground running under Frank Lampard, has drawn a bit of criticism for not replicating the scintillating performances of his Bundesliga days.

READ ALSO: Could This Be The Most Auspicious Time To Win The Premier League?

2. James Rodriguez
The Columbian’s career has been a mixed grill of highs and lows which, ultimately, did not lived up to extrapolations. After failing to impress at Real Madrid following a stellar outing at the 2014 World Cup held in Brazil, a move to Bavaria would also fail to re-ignite the intrinsic talent of the former Porto man. No doubt, still meant a big name addition for the Evertonians, the Columbian had gotten off to a flying start at Merseyside with a flurry of goals and assists which saw the toffees lead the standings in the early exchanges, but has suffered a dip in form largely due to a scrotal injury sustained against Liverpool in October.

3. Donny Van de Beek
Manchester United spent the greater fraction of the transfer window glossing all over the media over the potential capture of the Borrusia Dortmund wonder boy, Jadon Sancho. Disappointingly, negotiations ultimately crumbled as United and Dortmund failed to come to a compromise over Sancho’s valuation. Van de Beek’s signing obviously served as a solution to a different problem, but the Dutchman has found starting places quite difficult too come by, despite impressing with a goal on his debut after coming on as a substitute against Crystal Palace.

Despite enduring a rocky start to life at Old Trafford, there is still a high sense of hope that the former Ajax man will reconnect with the impressive performances he produced during his Eridivise days.

4. Rodrigo Moreno: Premier League new boys, Leeds United had shown warning signs that they will not be returning to the premier league after a sixteen-year absence as pushovers. Under the direction of the world-class manager, Marcelo Bielsa, Leeds United embarked on a spending spree during the summer transfer window, notably by capturing highly rated Spanish attacker, Rodrigo Moreno, from Valencia. Having enjoyed great success at Benfica and Valencia, the Spaniard had been tipped to be the Trump card at Ellan Road but is yet to get into his stride in the Premier League.

5. Thiago Silva
Despite playing through his twilight years in the game, Thiago Silva came to West London highly recommended. With an excellent resumé from his time at Milan and Paris, Silva has proven a key figure in Frank Lampard’s squad which has lacked a defense leader since the departure of club legend, John Terry. Alongside new goalie, Eduardo Mendy, the new skipper has been a key figure in Chelsea’s impressive run of clean sheets this season