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Premier League: Zirkzee and Onana Take Early Plaudits

So which new signings will make a considered impact in the Premier League this season?

Whether any sides will go as far as to change their whole structure to accommodate a fresh face is unlikely.

At this stage, in fact, I doubt if any will adapt their approach significantly enough to cater for major summer recruits.

Indeed, the most astute transfers are often those who blend in seamlessly to an already established structure, as opposed to when a team changes completely for a new player (though there are examples of that approach proving successful too).

Yet now each team has played its opening fixture, let us take a quick look at how some of the new arrivals have initially fared.

West Ham may adopt a more direct approach at times now they have a German fans’ favourite in their ranks in the shape of German striker Niclas Füllkrug.

Under new manager Julen Lopetegui, they have been slowly strengthening the ranks and, while the 31 year-old frontman may well only have a few years left at the top of his game, he is a player who can have a real impact at the London Stadium.

Füllkrug scored 12 goals in 29 Bundesliga games last season, representing his country at Euro 2024, and after a cameo appearance from the bench on the opening weekend, may well be in the starting XI before too long.

He appears perfect for the Hammers and Fullkrug has already admitted he’s salivating at the thought of James Ward-Prowse, Crysencio Summerville, Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta whipping in crosses for him to finish.

Incidentally, the Sbotop Premier League betting odds favouring Manchester City retaining the title may only increase if they get one of their former captains back with the club today linked with bringing back Ilkay Gundogan from Barcelona, just over a year after he headed to Spain.

Like Fullkrug, Gundogan would be another man who, you would think, would need little time to integrate back into the mix.

In terms of new faces who will slot straight in and feel at home in their new environment, perhaps one will emerge at Chelsea.

For the purposes of this piece, Christopher Nkunku, Romeo Lavia and Wesley Fofana can all be classed as new signings after injury-ravaged first campaigns with the Blues and all looked in impressive shape in their defeat by City.

It was a contest which showed they have good players, although the issue is they have over 30 more whose futures need resolving.

If any debutant is to take the honour for delivering Premier League highlights first time around though, the prize will go to Joshua Zirkzee.

Arriving via Serie A side Bologna in a deal worth £36 million, the former Bayern Munich man produced a clever finish to fire his new side to an opening night win against Fulham.

With 12 goals in 37 appearances in Italy last season, the player handed the number 11 shirt with the Red Devils has made the first step towards becoming an instant hero.

Amadou Onana delivers his first goal in his Aston Villa debut in just 4 minutes of Premier League match
Aston Villa’s Amadou Onana celebrates scoring the opening goal of the Premier League match against West Ham United

Another notable mention must go to Aston Vila midfielder Amadou Onana who needed just four minutes to open the scoring on his debut at West Ham, the Belgium midfielder heading home a Youri Tielemans corner.

And I also think Dominic Solanke will prove an astute bit of business by Spurs.

Of course, it’s not just scoring goals that helps you make your mark and it will only be after three or four games that you can begin to pass a fair judgment on who has settled best in the early stages.

For sure, though, the opening weekend plaudits go to an exciting Dutchman and a Belgian warhorse.

   

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