Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool): Few transfers have garnered as much scrutiny as Florian Wirtz’s move from Leverkusen. The only surprise was that Liverpool weren’t forced into a bidding war by other continental giants for a player who is undoubtedly a generational talent. The early signs from pre-season and Liverpool’s opening games of the campaign are that the playmaker will operate much like Muhammad Ali once described his boxing – float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. (Photo: X)
2/10
Benjamin Šeško (RB Leipzig to Manchester United): Tall, mobile, and lethal in front of goal, Šeško hasn’t been compared to Erling Haaland without reason. The Slovenian is not just a penalty-box poacher either. For RB Leipzig, he fancied his chances from outside the area too. For a Manchester United team that was toothless in front of goal last season, he could be both a focal point and a 20-goal finisher. (Photo: X)
3/10
Rayan Cherki (Lyon to Manchester City): Again, it was a real surprise that City didn’t have more competition for his services. His close control and dribbling were central to Lyon’s play last season, and relishes taking on full-backs. The only concern is whether he will be able to conform to Pep Guardiola’s tactical demands. Jack Grealish, his predecessor, had a couple of fine seasons, but often looked lost when asked to rein in his instincts. (Photo: X)
4/10
Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP to Arsenal): Before he made a name for himself with Sporting Clube in Lisbon, Gyökeres had scored goals with little fanfare for Coventry City in the Championship. This is a different level altogether though. Arsenal have gone more than two decades without the title, and the lack of a ‘fox in the box’ cost them dearly in several matches last season. (Photo: X)
Estevão Willian (Palmeiras to Chelsea): Nicknamed “Messinho” in Brazil, Estevão is widely considered the most special talent to emerge from Brazil since Vinicius Junior. Announced himself to his future fans at Chelsea with a wonder goal against them at the Club World Cup. If he hits the ground running, it will give Chelsea one more incredible creative outlet alongside Cole Palmer. (Photo: X)
6/10
Thierno Barry (Villarreal to Everton): The French striker’s 11 goals for Villarreal in LaLiga last season were enough to convince Everton, especially with Dominic Calvert-Lewin leaving at the end of his contract. Barry’s aerial prowess will remind the Everton faithful of 1990s cult hero Duncan Ferguson, but he's also pretty lethal with his feet. Can David Moyes polish the rough edges? (Photo: X)
7/10
Hugo Ekitiké (Eintracht Frankfurt to Liverpool): Ekitiké is another physical imposing yet skiful forward. He has already scored in both the Community Shield and Liverpool’s opening-day win over Bournemouth. While his finishing has scope for improvement, what has caught the eye is his intelligent movement, an area in which Darwin Nunez, the last great hope at No. 9, was often found wanting. (Photo: X)
8/10
Habib Diarra (Strasbourg to Sunderland): The Senegalese midfielder enjoyed a superb season with Strasbourg and also scored in his country’s friendly victory over England. He snaps into tackles and though only 21, already has the positional sense and eye for a pass that could make him one of the EPL’s surprise packages this season. (Photo: X)
Giovanni Leoni (Parma to Liverpool): Eyebrows were raised when Liverpool stumped up £26m for the 18-year-old centre-back who played just 17 times for Parma last season. But the youngster who idolises Virgil van Dijk is already 6’5”, and his ceiling is so high that the legendary Arrigo Sacchi said “it makes me a little angry” that he was leaving Serie A. (Photo: X)
10/10
Jhon Arias (Fluminense to Wolves): This could a season of struggle for Wolves, after the departures of Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri. But if they are to survive, their talisman might well be the Colombian who was central to Fluminense’s recent resurgence in Brazil. Capable of operation behind the No. 9 or on the wing, Arias may well bring some of the magic that Cunha took with him.
Shamik Chakrabarty is assistant editor, RevSportz. Views expressed are personal.
