Arsenal and Chelsea record signings and a Manchester United goalkeeper
The new Premier League season is just a few days away and as ever there are plenty of storylines to watch out for.
The 2020/21 campaign is a little later than planned because of the coronavirus pandemic but that has not stopped the activity among teams in the division.
The new Premier League season is set to kick-off on September 12, 2020 The break between seasons has been as busy as ever with new signings, transfer speculation and pre-season all to contend with.
There has even been an international break before the campaign has even got going.
Meanwhile, on every team, there are players who will be going into the new campaign with a point to prove.
Here at talkSPORT.com we’ve picked out one from each club to watch out for.
“Is Roberto Firmino good enough for what Liverpool want to achieve?” - Adrian Durham says Reds need new No.9
Arsenal – Nicolas Pepe
The Gunners paid £72million for the winger from Lille last summer and he didn’t exactly set the world alight in his first season.
Pepe made 31 Premier League appearances but only scored five times as Arsenal finished a disappointing eighth.
The pressure will be on this campaign to prove he was really worth that figure, especially with the signing of Willian on a free transfer.
The Brazilian has signed a three-year contract with the Gunners and will be in competition with Pepe for a place in the team.
Getty
Nicolas Pepe showed early signs of promise at Arsenal but was inconsistent Aston Villa – Marvelous Nakamba
The Villans scraped survival last season by a single point – thanks to an 84th minute Jack Grealish goal on the final day of the season.
There were problems all over the pitch with few players coming out of the campaign with much credibility.
Zimbabwe midfielder Nakamba came in for his fair share of criticism for his inconsistent performances.
Villa paid nearly £11m for him last summer and he will certainly have a point to prove heading into the new campaign.
Compatriot Benjani predicted that Nakamba would prove his critics wrong.
“The Premier League is a very difficult league I tell you,” Benjani told The Sunday Mail.
“Just to make it into that league is a huge achievement on its own, so we have to celebrate Marvelous Nakamba. He has done very well. Last season was his debut and he managed to show his capabilities. I am convinced next season he will prove his critics wrong.”
Getty Images - Getty
Marvelous Nakamba was signed by Aston Villa lst summer Brighton – Ben White
The centre-back was subject of a very public pursuit by Leeds United this summer but the Seagulls refused point blank to sell him.
White played all 46 games in the Championship last season as Marcelo Bielsa’s side won promotion to the Premier League.
Leeds are believed to have offered around £25m for the 22-year-old, who has yet to make a top flight appearance.
Brighton instead handed him a new contract and the pressure will be now on White to go and prove he’s worth it.
Brighton FC
Ben White signed a new four-year deal at Brighton Burnley – Johan Berg Gudmundsson
The challenge for Gudmundsson will be staying fit for an entire season.
The Iceland international is undoubtedly talented but was restricted to just 12 Premier League games last season and missed a number in 2018/19.
The 29-year-old even opted to not take part in Iceland’s Nations League games ahead of the new season in a sign that he is focusing all his efforts on Burnley.
“That’s the main part. People know I’m not going to the international games,” Gudmundsson said.
AFP or licensors
Gudmundsson has suffered with injury problems over the last two seasons “I decided it would be better for me to stay here and have a full pre-season.
“These games don’t come at a great time, especially for myself after I’ve had some problems.
“I thought it was the best for me to get a full pre-season in here, get the base fitness, get some games in and try to be as fit as possible for the season.
“I’m working hard extremely hard. Of course, you’re a bit tired at times but that’s the way it is.
“I’m just looking to the future and I can see a bright future.”
NEWS
Chelsea transfer news live: Mendy ‘bid accepted’, Rice move next, Giroud staying put
goss
Man United to sign City starlet, Sancho and Solskjaer’s private chat, Upamecano latest
NEWS
Chelsea to complete signing today, Klopp on Thiago, Wilshere from West Ham to Cherries
GOSS
Liverpool news live: Klopp on Thiago and Wijnaldum, Brewster decision not made
Frustrated
Mourinho ‘depressed’ amid Tottenham’s ‘impossible’ September fixture pile-up
Goss
Arsenal news: Aouar is Arteta’s No1 target, Martinez leaving, Bellerin-Barcelona loan
more deals
Mendy to Chelsea ‘100% done’ but Blues’ not done in transfer market yet
Verdict
Parlour discusses Arsenal’s top four chances as he urges fans to be realistic
Chelsea – Kepa Arrizabalaga
The Spaniard is still the No.1 goalkeeper at Stamford Bridge, for now.
Kepa has done little to justify his world-record £71.2m transfer fee from two summers ago.
Manager Frank Lampard lost patience last season and benched him for a number of games with veteran Willy Caballero taking his place.
Chelsea have been linked to goalkeepers this summer, most notably Rennes’ Edouard Mendy, but there have been no incomings.
Even if a new signing is made Kepa is likely to stay and will have a big point to prove.
AFP or Licensors
Kepa has failed to justify his hefty price tag at Chelsea Crystal Palace – Christian Benteke
This is perhaps the last chance saloon for Benteke to prove he is a Premier League striker.
The 29-year-old is entering the final year of his Palace contract even though the club has reportedly put him up for sale.
There are likely to be few takers meaning he will stay at Selhurst Park for the upcoming campaign.
He has managed just six Premier League goals in the last three seasons. Benteke managed 15 in his first year at the club.
Getty Images
Christian Benteke is still Crystal Palace’s record signing Everton – Jordan Pickford
The 2020/21 season will be a big year for the goalkeeper at Goodison Park with the Euros coming up next summer.
Competition for that starting place in Gareth Southgate’s side is fierce with Nick Pope and Dean Henderson breathing down his neck.
The position is Pickford’s to lose at the moment but his inconsistency will be a concern.
Everton are making some good signings this summer in Allan and James Rodriguez and Carlo Ancelotti will demand consistency from his No.1.
Getty Images - Getty
Pickford is England’s current No.1, but suffered a dip in form in the 2019/20 campaign Fulham – Antonee Robinson
The left-back began his career with Everton before being loaned out to Bolton and Wigan. He then joined the Latics permanently.
In January, he was linked with a dream move to AC Milan but the deal collapsed after a heart rhythm irregularity was found and further tests couldn’t be done before the deadline.
Wigan were relegated to League One and Fulham picked up Robinson for just £2m.
The 23-year-old will want to prove his former club Everton and AC Milan that he is good enough for the top level.
Getty Images - Getty
Robinson was denied his dream move to AC Milan in January Leeds United – Patrick Bamford
The striker netted 16 times in the Championship last season as The Whites were promoted to the Premier League.
Doubts still remain as to whether Bamford can be a top flight forward and Marcelo Bielsa clearly feels the same.
Leeds spent £27m to sign Rodrigo from Valencia to be their main man in the 2020/21 campaign.
Bamford’s previous chances in the top flight with three different teams yielded just one goal.
The 27-year-old will want to prove the doubters wrong in the coming season.
Getty Images - Getty
Patrick Bamford will be sidelined following the signing of Rodrigo Leicester – Demarai Gray
The winger never quite seems to fulfil his potential and if he stays with the Foxes this summer then will have a big point to prove.
He has been linked with the likes of Newcastle but the signing of Ryan Fraser will put an end to their interest.
Gray has been with Leicester since 2016 and now needs to step up with more consistent performances.
He is also entering the final year of his contract, so there is plenty of incentive there to go out and perform well.
Demarai Gray was signed by Leicester in 2016 Liverpool – Andy Robertson
The Scotsman has been a consistent presence at left-back for Liverpool as they won the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League title last season.
He contributed plenty of assists and was solid defensively in one of the top back-lines in Europe.
But he will be under pressure following the signing of Kostas Tsimikas this summer.
Tsimikas joined from Olympiakos as a back-up for Robertson but now there is extra competition for places the Scotland international will want to go out and prove he deserves his spot.
Getty Images - Getty
Andy Robertson now has competition at left-back in Kostas Tsimikas Man City – Gabriel Jesus
The City striker is still only 23 and has hit more than 20 goals in each of the last two seasons but there still appears to be doubts about his long-term future at the club.
Sergio Aguero, 32, is still the main man for Pep Guardiola and the club have been linked with other names this summer.
Jesus will want to go out and prove that he can be City’s top striker for years to come and be the successor for Aguero.
AFP or licensors
Jesus was signed from Palmeiras in 2017 Man United – David De Gea
The goalkeeper will be under an enormous amount of pressure this season with his performances set to be scrutinised more so than ever before.
Dean Henderson is waiting in the wings for his opportunity in the first-team following two successful loan spells with Sheffield United.
Henderson just signed a new long-term contract with the club and is likely to be De Gea’s successor at some point.
The Spaniard is still No.1 for the time being and will want to prove his doubters wrong in the 2020/21 season.
AFP or licensors
De Gea’s form has dipped since the 2018 World Cup Newcastle – Joelinton
The forward was signed for a club record fee of £40m last summer from Hoffenheim but just two goals in 38 Premier League appearances followed.
The pressure will be on the 24-year-old, particularly with the addition of Callum Wilson from Bournemouth this summer.
Wilson’s signing may actually take a little bit of the pressure off and give him time to find his feet in English football.
Getty Images
Joelinton has struggled in his debut season in England Sheffield United – Aaron Ramsdale
The goalkeeper has two points to prove this season with the Blades following his transfer from Bournemouth.
Dean Henderson returned to Manchester United following two years on loan and leaves big gloves to fill.
Henderson was a popular figure at the club and had a brilliant record during his time there.
Ramsdale was also sold to Bournemouth from Sheffield United in 2017, who were higher in the league at the time.
The 22-year-old will want to prove that selling him was a big error by the Blades.
Getty Images
Aaron Ramsdale returned to Sheffield United this summer Southampton – Che Adams
The striker signed from Birmingham last summer in a £15m deal and it took him a while to find his feet in the Premier League.
The 24-year-old did not score his first top flight goal until July, after the restart amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Adams went on to score twice in the final game of the season to finish with four goals.
The pressure will now be on in the 2020/21 season to pick up where he left off and justify that price tag.
Getty Images
Che Adams scored his first Premier League goal in August Tottenham – Tanguy Ndombele
Spurs paid £55.45m for the midfielder last summer but he struggled in the 2019/20 season.
A manager change halfway through the season, with Jose Mourinho appointed, did not seem to alter his fortunes.
It seemed to have the opposite effect with Mourinho even criticising Ndombele for his unprofessionalism.
The 23-year-old has been linked with a move away from Tottenham this summer but he is still at the club and has a big point to prove.
Getty Images - Getty
Tanguy Ndombele was the subject of criticism by Mourinho West Brom – Grady Diangana
The midfielder excelled with the Baggies last season as they won promotion back to the Premier League (again).
The 22-year-old was on loan from West Ham and the deal was made permanent this summer in a deal worth up to £18m.
The Hammers fans and players were not happy with the deal with captain Mark Noble openly criticising the club.
Diangana will want to prove to West Ham that it was a mistake to sell him.
The West Ham players were unhappy that Grady Diangana were sold West Ham – Sebastien Haller
The striker was signed on a £45m deal last summer but failed to justify that huge price tag.
Haller was prolific with Eintracht Frankfurt but did not replicate that form with the Hammers, scoring just seven Premier League goals.
His performances left a lot to be desired and was often a source of frustration for fans – Michail Antonio outshone him immeasurably.
The 26-year-old still has four years left on his contract and needs to show that he can be a Premier League calibre striker.
Getty Images - Getty
Haller hit the ground running for West Ham but it’s hardly been a vintage season Wolves – Raul Jimenez
The club have signed 18-year-old Fabio Silva for £35m from Porto and is a club-record signing despite his relative inexperience.
This will undoubtedly put a little pressure on main striker Jimenez to go and prove that he is the main man at the club.
Nuno Espirito Santo is clearly planning for the future with the signing but whenever a new player is signed to provide competition it should fire up the existing squad member, in this case Jimenez.
The striker had been linked with Manchester United this summer but a move never materialised.
Getty Images - Getty
Raul Jimenez, 28, has emerged as a standout Premier League striker in recent seasons
Play our new talkSPORT Selector game NOW! Simply pick one winning Premier League team each Gameweek and you could win a share of £10,000. 18+ Full terms and conditions apply. BeGambleAware.Org.