The Premier League resumes this weekend after a two-week hiatus, with clubs eager to showcase their new transfer window acquisitions. Notably, champions Liverpool are ready for Alexander Isak to potentially debut against Burnley on Sunday.
The 20 clubs in England’s top division spent an astounding 3 billion pounds ($4.05 billion), much of it in the final trading days, to strengthen their squads for the upcoming months.
Isak’s contentious departure from Newcastle United was resolved just in time, with Liverpool setting a British record by spending 125 million pounds on the Swedish striker.
The 25-year-old hasn’t played for Newcastle this season, having been sidelined, and although he came off the bench for Sweden against Kosovo on Monday, he’s unlikely to start at Burnley.
However, manager Arne Slot is eager to give him some playtime at Turf Moor, where Liverpool aims to maintain their perfect start with a fourth win in defending their title.
While Isak was the marquee summer acquisition, several clubs are excited to test out their high-priced new players as the Premier League resumes.
Arsenal is likely to start Eberechi Eze against Nottingham Forest, a team that not only signed Oleksandr Zinchenko, Dilane Bakwa, and Cuiabano on deadline day but also replaced manager Nunu Espirito Santo with Ange Postecoglou.
Former Tottenham Hotspur boss Postecoglou faces a challenging return to north London, especially with Arsenal eager to rebound from their defeat to Liverpool.
After two consecutive losses, Manchester City hosts Manchester United on Sunday in a major derby, with Pep Guardiola’s side trailing their rivals. All eyes will be on Guardiola’s goalkeeper choice following Gianluigi Donnarumma’s last-minute signing.
United, with four points after a dramatic win against Burnley, will likely debut Senne Lammens in goal after his deadline-day arrival.
Aston Villa has struggled with just one point and no goals in their first three games, so expect their recent signings to appear against Everton on Saturday.
Jadon Sancho, on loan from Manchester United, offers Villa much-needed offensive flair, while Harvey Elliott, no longer needed at Liverpool, could also start.
Everton, with loan signing Jack Grealish impressing so far, will be optimistic after spending 97 million pounds on transfers this summer and might debut midfielder Merlin Rohl.
Tottenham Hotspur visits West Ham United on Saturday, marking a new chapter after executive chairman Daniel Levy’s sudden exit after 25 years. His final move might have been securing Randal Kolo Muani on loan from Paris St Germain, who could debut at the London Stadium.
Newcastle fans may mourn Isak’s departure, but signing Yoane Wissa from Brentford for 55 million pounds softens the blow.
Wissa will have a chance to win over St James’ Park supporters against bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.
Brentford, having lost forward Bryan Mbeumo to Manchester United, signed Reiss Nelson from Arsenal to strengthen their attack, and he might play against Chelsea in Saturday’s late match.
A failed deadline-day deal was Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi’s anticipated sale to Liverpool.
Palace fans are relieved to have the inspirational defender, who scored his first England goal on Tuesday, back in red and blue against Sunderland on Saturday.
