The English Premier League is back on Friday, after a two and a half month break and, with no shortage of storylines and worldwide attention on the competition, we’ve gathered five points that we think deserve their own special mention.
Check out these brilliant goals from the #PL clubs' 2022/23 preparations around the world! 🌍https://t.co/ZNW5vgtKjw
— Premier League (@premierleague) July 22, 2022
South America & Hove Albion
One of the most interesting teams to keep an eye out for is Brighton & Hove Albion, as they’re investing heavily in young South American talent.
Our BabaScout discovery, Moises Caicedo, impressed last year and even scored against Arsenal, while 18 year-old Paraguayan, Julio Enciso, was bought from Libertad for €11.00m and he is dubbed as the next big thing in Paraguay.
Alexis Mac Allister has transformed into an Argentina international under Graham Potter’s leadership, while Ecuadorian Jeremy Sarmiento won the Seagulls’ Young Player of the Year award in 2022.
London-born Colombian Steven Alzate is another talented player waiting to break through. To put it simply, the Amex Stadium is becoming the place to be for young upcoming talents.
Julio is HERE! 👊🏟️ @JulioEnciso33 🇵🇾 pic.twitter.com/MVbLHL3Bfs
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) June 17, 2022
Mane Out, Diaz In
Sadio Mane left Liverpool to join Bayern Munich this summer, taking with him 23 goals and five assists in all competitions.
Liverpool aren’t going to settle for less than a title challenge this year, and for that to happen, Colombian winger Luis Diaz needs to fire on all cylinders to help replace Mane’s production.
‘Lucho’, who arrived in January, looked decent in his six-month adjustment period in England, but still hasn’t shown his full potential to the Anfield faithful.
Whether he can cause Mane to be forgotten, and help take the load off Mohamed Salah’s back, is the biggest question looming over Liverpool’s season, and it will be interesting to see how he handles the pressure.
Start as Champions 🔴💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/5STZkXUuaO
— Luis Fernando Díaz (@LuisFDiaz19) July 31, 2022
City - Argentina Connection
The last time an Argentinian scored on his debut for Manchester City, he became the club’s all time top scorer. One year after Sergio Aguero’s departure, another has scored on his debut for the Citizens, but can he follow the same path?
Julian Alvarez is only 22, a year younger than Sergio Aguero was on his debut, but he is experiencing European football for the first time, and in the most demanding and competitive squad out there.
This summer, City also completed the signing of Erling Haaland, perhaps the most sought after player on the planet, and who will undoubtedly start ahead of the Argentinian.
After excelling at River Plate, and winning it all in South America under the legendary Marcelo Gallardo, it is time for Alvarez to continue his rapid upward trajectory. One thing is for sure, it will be hard to find two better coaches to guide you to glory.
It only took Julian Alvarez 12 minutes to score his first Manchester City goal 🙌 pic.twitter.com/4OqACfvlOF
— GOAL (@goal) July 30, 2022
Leeds United, the new ‘America’s Team’?
After Marcelo Bielsa’s sacking, many people have questioned Leeds United’s decision to appoint American Jesse Marsch as manager.
Taking over towards the end of last season, the Wisconsin native managed to guide the team to safety in the final gameweek, but it seems that Marsch needs to do more to convince the footballing world that he belongs in the Premier League. A full successful season might do the trick.
To help him on that mission, the former Red Bull Salzburg manager brought in two American internationals, Brendan Aaronson and Tyler Adams, who had both been a part of the Red Bull system.
Aaronson and Adams are supposed to compensate for the losses of Raphinha and Jack Harrison. Adding to that the increasing popularity of the English game, thanks to the hit television show Ted Lasso, Leeds United will be ones to watch on the other side of the Atlantic.
Tyler Adams 🗣
— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) August 1, 2022
"I didn't come in to be Kalvin Phillips. I came in to be Tyler Adams, and I'm a completely different player than Kalvin Phillips. He completely deserves that move to Manchester City. I'm just here to be myself."
(via @SkySportsPL) pic.twitter.com/fKLewM79Vf
Big Stage Manor
Newly promoted Fulham want to stop the never ending cycle of being a ‘yo-yo club’, regularly getting promoted and relegated each year.
One of their big summer signings, who will be hoping to help buck that trend, is Israeli wonderkid Manor Solomon - we’ve followed him closely at BabaGol for years now.
Solomon impressed in Ukraine playing for Shakhtar Donetsk, shining in the Champions League where he scored against Real Madrid, Manchester City and Atalanta.
But the Russian invasion of Ukraine has halted football in the country, thus Solomon has barely played competitive football since December, and the war also created difficulties in his move to London.
Solomon will be hoping to get back on track at Craven Cottage, and his upcoming collaboration with Aleksandar Mitrovic and Harry Wilson will be enough to get any fan excited.
Edited by Alex Smith
Thumbnail photo by the Premier League official Facebook page
"He is very good in all six basics of football: technical, tactical, physical (fitness), emotional/mental, intellectual and educational."@Levyninho provides the insight for our latest addition. 🧐#FFC
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) July 26, 2022
