Just a couple of months ago we were all waiting and wondering whether the 2019/20 Premier League season would even finish, now here we are in September and not only did it finish but we're now just one week away from the beginning of the 2020/21 season.
As always, teams have spent the last month assessing their squads and have been busy in the transfer window strengthening and preparing. With new players coming in all the time it can be hard to keep track of all the new faces we're about to see this season, that's why we have picked out five players you should keep an eye out for in the Premier League next season.
Donny van de Beek
Ajax - Man United, £35m
The first signing of the transfer window for Man United, Red Devil fans may already be familiar with van de Beek, the young Dutchman actually played against them in the 2017 Europa League Final when they defeated Ajax 2-0. Although attacking midfield was not the priority for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men this window, the Dutchman will certainly be an astute signing for United.
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Van de Beek is a complete and well-rounded box-to-box midfielder that has shown he has the ability to do everything a team would want a midfielder to do at both ends of the pitch. After the departure of Frenkie de Jong to Barcelona, van de Beek stepped up to become the integral cog in Ajax's well-run midfield machine. In the 2019/20 Eredivisie season van de Beek scored eight goals, equalling or bettering the return of every midfielder in Man United's squad in the respective Premier League season, van de Beek was also able to add a further five assists to that return too. In fact the Dutchman is no stranger to goal contributions having scored forty-one goals and assisted a further thirty-four during his five seasons in the Netherlands.
Bookmakers Betway have Man United to finish in the Top 6 in the 2020/21 season at 1/12.
Timo Werner
RB Leipzig - Chelsea, £47.5m
A player that looked destined to end up in Merseyside this season, Chelsea's 12th hour clause activation saw the German striker end up in West London. Werner, renowned for his rapid pace and clinical finishing, will join Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell, Malang Sarr, Thiago Silva and soon-to-be Kai Havertz at Stamford Bridge next season in an almost budget-less spending spree for Frank Lampard.
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Timo Werner, as previously mentioned, is a rapid striker whose pace allows him to make quick and snappy runs through the middle and behind the opponent's defence. The German has an unrivaled record at RB Leipzig, as the club's all time top goal scorer netting ninety-five times across all competitions in his four seasons at the German club. The beauty of Werner is not only his goal-scoring expertise but his link-up play and ability to bring other players into the game further up the field, Werner registered forty assists across all competitions during his time at Leipzig. Known for his chemistry with fellow striking partner Yussuf Poulsen, Werner will now be a perfect partner for Olivier Giroud or Tammy Abraham in the Chelsea front-line.
Bookmakers Betway have Timo Werner at 12/1 for the 2020/21 Premier League Golden Boot.
Rodrigo
Valencia - Leeds, £27m
Leeds haven't even played a game yet since returning to the Premier League but they have already surpassed their record signing fee of £18m paid to West Ham for Rio Ferdinand in 2000 as they signed Rodrigo from Valencia. This will be the Brazilian-born Spaniard's second season in the Premier League after an unsuccessful loan spell at Owen Coyle's Bolton Wanderers in 2010/11 saw the striker net just once in his seventeen games in a 1-1 draw against Wigan.
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Times have changed since that season and Rodrigo is most certainly a more developed and more experienced player. A move to Benfica followed his loan spell in England, where the pacey forward made a substantial impact on the Portuguese league netting twenty-seven times in his three seasons there and winning a title and three other domestic cups. That form saw him land a move to Valencia where he netted fifty-nine times for the Spanish giants in his six seasons there, but Rodrigo offers more than just goals with Rodrigo assisting a further forty-one goals in Spain. Rodrigo has the ability to bring those around him into the game, and with the Pablo Hernandez Spanish connection could find himself as the focal point of Leeds' attack this season.
Bookmakers Betway have Leeds at 1/8 to avoid relegation from the 2020/21 Premier League.
Ferran Torres
Valencia - Man City, £20.8m
The second Premier League signing from Valencia this season, sees Spanish youngster Ferran Torres join Pep Guardiola's elite collection of wingers as a replacement for Leroy Sane. Torres has been described as a talented and highly promising young attacking winger by those who have played alongside him, with the 20-year old receiving his first call up to the Spanish National team this week in their 1-1 draw against Germany.
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Torres is renowned in Spain for his pace, creativity, technique, and ball control particularly while running, which allows him to take on opponents and get down the wing. The Spaniard's 6'0'' height gives him the aerial presence and heading ability to make him a threat inside the box from crosses, while his physique and strength allows him to hold off defenders whilst coming forward in attack and make space for others while off the ball. He is often played on the right wing however his technique and ability allows him to play anywhere in the front line and will make a diverse and adaptable forward for Pep Guardiola next season. At the age of 20 he has already played in three seasons for Valencia, netting ten times and assisting a further seventeen in this time.
Bookmakers Betway have Man City at 8/11 to win the 2020/21 Premier League.
Thiago Silva
PSG - Chelsea, Free
One of the biggest name signings of the window sees veteran centre-back Thiago Silva join Chelsea on a free transfer from PSG. The Brazilian has almost done it all during his time in Europe, winning twenty-five trophies during his time at AC Milan and PSG but there is still one trophy that eludes the centre-back, the Champions League. Despite reaching the final last season, Silva will most certainly have a shot at the Champions League alongside a Premier League during his time at Stamford Bridge.
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Thiago Silva will add experience and leadership to the Chelsea backline, often described as the complete defender Silva seems to have it all; pace, height, strength, positional sense, aerial dominance and leadership. The Brazilian is able to use his tactical intelligence as well as knowledge of the game to read any situation and threat to close down the opposition and break the play down before it potentially manifests into a goal. On the ball Silva is also able to pick out a pass and play out from the back, creating chances for his team in the process.
Bookmakers Betway have Chelsea at 12/1 to win the 2020/21 Premier League.
