Page 21 - Soccer360 Issue 107

THE ONES TO WATCH
Stephen Donovan picks out five players who may emerge as standout performers in the Premier League in 2024-25
JEREMY DOKU - MANCHESTER CITY
To see a winger with genuine pace frightening defenders is an exhilarating sight, and Jeremy Doku provided many moments like that in his first season in
a Manchester City shirt. The best thing for manager Pep Guardiola is that the Belgian still has the potential to improve considerably and become a fully-fledged world class talent, with 2024-25 the next step on that particular journey.
MOHAMMED KUDUS -
WEST HAM UNITED
An explosive player wictohmtehaelonqguality to
produce moments out of the ordinary,
Mohammed Kudus had some standout
moments in his first season in the
League Cup Premier League, but one ains1s9u55mes
that much more is to come from the Ghanaian. It’ll be interesting to see
how much licence he is given by new manager Julen Lopetegui, yet he’s capable of carrying West Ham towards a return to European qualification.
COLE PALMER - CHELSEA
Everyone knew Cole Palmer had talent, but few could have foreseen the amazing impact he would make at Chelsea after arriving last summer. Playing with a swagger that underlines his confidence, the 22-year-old is blessed with the incredible natural ability to score goals and produce incisive passes that
other players could only dream of. His performances so far have been nothing short of phenomenal, and it’s exciting to imagine what he may deliver in 2024-25.
SANDRO TONALI - NEWCASTLE UNITED
Dynamic midfielder Sandro Tonali’s all-action midfield performances thrilled Newcastle United fans in the opening weeks of 2023-24, only for the Italian to receive a season-ending ban for numerous breaches of betting regulations.
JOSHUA ZIRKZEE -
MANCHESTER UNITED
Of the many stars to emerge from Bologna’s unexpected run to Champions League qualification last term, Joshua Zirkzee was arguably the standout
with 11 goals in 34 Serie A appearances. Manchester United were quick to secure his services and make him the poster boy for their new transfer policy, with the Netherlands international set to add an exciting new dimension to a forward line which struggled in 2023-24.
UEFA has way since
Real Madrid
won the
very first Champions
EVERTON
LAST SEASON
FINISH: 16th place RECORD: 13-9-16
MOST GOALS: Doucoure (7)
FULHAM
LAST SEASON
FINISH: 13th place RECORD: 13-8-17
MOST GOALS: Muniz (9)
Marco Silva rarely gets the credit he deserves, but the way he’s re-established Fulham as a comfortable, stable Premier League outfit in the space of two seasons
is mightily impressive. His side are capable of some standout performances as they showed with a clutch of eye-catching results last term, but the next stage is to find a little more consistency in order to reclaim a place in the top 10.
The loss of key midfielder Joao Palhinha to Bayern Munich is a major blow, but equally the Cottagers have shown ambition by making Arsenal playmaker Emile Smith Rowe their record signing, while Ryan Sessegnon returns to the banks of the River Thames looking to get his career back on track. Another mid-table finish looks on
the cards, but along the way they’ll provide tough opposition for several of the top clubs.
KEY PLAYER
Emile Smith Rowe
JEREMY DOKU
Manchester City
West Ham United
COLE PALMER
Chelsea
SANDRO TONALI
Newcastle United
JOSHUA ZIRKZEE
Manchester United
Despite seeing 10 points deducted and enduring continued off-field turmoil throughout 2023-24, Everton managed
to stave off the threat of relegation with relative comfort. A collapsed takeover bid by the Friedkins over the summer suggests their problems aren’t over as they enter the final season at the historic Goodison Park, but it feels like there’s light at the end of the tunnel and in manager Sean Dyche, they have a safe pair of hands.
Given the challenges faced by the club, the main target this season will be to avoid being dragged into a battle for top-flight safety. Dominic Calvert-Lewin remains key in attack, but Iliman Ndiaye and Jesper Lindstrom are both shrewd signings who will give the Toffees an extra dimension, which means they may not have to rely on the England man so heavily.
KEY PLAYER
Dominic Calvert-Lewin
SOCCER360 19
MOHAMMED KUDUS
DID YOU KNOW?
Joshua Zirkzee is coming off
a 12 goal in 37 game season with Bologna, and already scored in his Manchester United EPL debut.