Finally! It’s here! It is eventually time for every football fan to come out of hibernation because the new season awaits as optimism and excitement spreads across the nation. The preseason allows every fan to dream that for their club, it will be ‘their season’ and manage to clinch some precious silverware. As well as the dreams, every fan is eagerly waiting to see if any of their club’s new signings will become a huge sensation and legitimise their hefty price tag. But which players are going to make the biggest impact?
New Signings Who Will Make the Biggest Impact in The Premier League
Yohan Cabaye – PSG to Crystal Palace (£13 million fee)
There is no doubt, Cabaye could easily slot himself in a top six side and become a key member to that team. However, Crystal Palace were fortunate enough to prise him to Selhurst Park, much thanks to Cabaye’s established relationship with the manager due to their up on Tyneside.
Cabaye was largely unknown when Newcastle United signed him from Lille for £5m in June 2011. However, he soon became the catalyst for all of Newcastle’s creative threats with the ability to unlock any defence and had an eye for goal himself. Cabaye also gained a reputation from being deadly in dead-ball situations. During his time at Newcastle, his reputation had soared and earned him a big money move back to his home nation in a £20m deal to Paris Saint-Germain, highlighting his class.
Unfortunately, the transfer to PSG was unsuccessful as Cabaye has grown frustrated with his lack of playing time and is now hoping to rekindle his career in the England Capital. Although restrained to the bench in large parts in Paris, Cabaye is still a class act and with hunger to prove himself once again, the likes of Yannick Bolasie, Wilfried Zaha and another new signing, Connor Wickham, will relish under Cabaye’s creative abilities.
Christian Benteke – Aston Villa to Liverpool (£32.5 million fee)
There are some question marks over whether the fee of excess to £32 million is justifiable, however, if Benteke provides a reliable goal-scoring outlet to the team, then the transfer will be deemed as money well spent.
Like Cabaye, when Benteke arrived in the Premier League he was largely unknown. Although 23 goals in his first season in England’s top division soon changed that. Benteke’s next season was a disappointment as he only managed to score ten goals, although this wasn’t helped by the fact he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon. However, Benteke’s poor season highlighted his importance to the Villa team as they slumped to 15th position in the table, only collecting 38 points.
In the Liverpool team, Benteke will add another dimension to the side, adding strength and power to the reds. He has the ability to bring other teammates into play and I can imagine him and Coutinho are going to build a dangerous link-up partnership.
Memphis Depay – PSV to Manchester United (£25 million fee)
As always, Manchester United have splashed the cash and supplemented their current world class stars with even more world class stars. Out of all their latest additions, Depay seems to be the pick of the bunch.
Depay had an impressive season in the Dutch league last season, earning the Dutch golden boot as he guided PSV to their first Eredivisie title since 2008. Depay has undoubted pace, which Manchester United seemed to have missed last season. He has the ability to be able to stretch the game and provide more time and space for the likes of Wayne Rooney as well as being capable of plucking a screamer from thin air. It is unlikey that he will be another version of Angel Di Maria who is now with PSG.
