LONDON – The Premier League returns this weekend after a two-week pause with clubs eager to show off their new transfer window purchases, none more so than champions Liverpool for whom Alexander Isak could make his debut at Burnley on Sept 14.
An astonishing £3 billion (S$5.2 billion) was spent by the 20 clubs, a fair chunk of it in the last few days of trading as clubs beefed up their squads for the months ahead.
Isak’s acrimonious split from Newcastle United was finally resolved in the nick of time, with Liverpool paying a British record £125 million for the Swedish goal-machine.
The 25-year-old did not play a single minute for Newcastle this season as he was effectively frozen out and while he did come off the bench for a brief cameo for Sweden against Kosovo on Sept 8, it is unlikely he will start at Burnley.
Fellow new forward Hugo Ekitike has hit the ground running, scoring two goals in three league matches while also netting in the Community Shield.
Reds boss Arne Slot said on Sept 12 that the Swede would be eased into the team gradually.
“He missed a proper pre-season,” said Slot. “I think he missed three or four months of team sessions, so now we have to build him up gradually, with us playing so many games, hardly any training time.”
The Dutch manager also brushed off criticism that Isak received after he agitated to leave Newcastle, where he still had three more years to run on his contract.
“Sometimes people cheer for you… and in other moments you get criticised. This is part of his life, my life, our jobs,” he said.
Several other clubs are also eager to try out some expensive new toys.
Arsenal are likely to hand a first start to Eberechi Eze at home to Nottingham Forest, a club who not only added Oleksandr Zinchenko, Dilane Bakwa, and Cuiabano on deadline day but since replaced manager Nunu Espirito Santo with Ange Postecoglou.
Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Postecoglou can expect a baptism of fire on his return to north London.
After two successive defeats, Manchester City host Manchester United on Sept 14 in the weekend’s big derby with manager Pep Guardiola’s side trailing their neighbours in the standings. All eyes will be on who Guardiola puts in goal after the last-minute signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma.
United will almost certainly also have a debutant in goal after the arrival of Senne Lammens on deadline day.
Aston Villa have endured a poor start with one point and no goals from their first three games so expect to see their deadline day signings feature away to Everton on Sept 13.
Jadon Sancho, on loan from United, will give Villa some much-needed attacking spark while Harvey Elliott, surplus to requirements at Liverpool, could also start.
Tottenham travel to West Ham United on Sept 13 as they begin a new era following the shock exit of executive chairman Daniel Levy after 25 years in charge of the club.
His parting gift may have been the signing of Randal Kolo Muani on loan from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day, and he could make his debut at the London Stadium.
Newcastle fans may lament the bitter loss of Isak, but softening that blow was the signing of Yoane Wissa from Brentford for a reported £55 million.
However, he will not be fit to face bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sept 13 after picking up a knee injury on international duty with DR Congo. But fellow new signing Nick Woltemade is in line for his Magpies debut. REUTERS