5 NEW SIGNINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN THE EPL
The transfer window has been shortened in the Premier League and will close on Thursday, before the season starts. Here is the pick of the signings so far:
Whether City needed another attacking midfield to complement Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva, Leroy Sane, David Silva and rising star Phil Foden is open to question.
Not that Riyad Mahrez is concerned about that. The Algeria winger might have thought he had missed out on a dream move to the champions when City and Leicester failed to conclude a deal in January for English soccer’s Player of the Year in 2015-16. But City maintained its interest, and Mahrez sealed a club-record $80million move that gives manager Pep Guardiola another attacking option and a player who can operate anywhere behind the striker.
Mahrez mostly played on the right wing, cutting in on his favoured left foot, but Sterling and Bernardo Silva already feature there. City may opt to use Mahrez centrally as Guardiola looks to manage the 32-year-old David Silva’s game time.
Brazil international Fred not only offers United more energy and solidity in central midfield, he also potentially gives a platform for fellow midfielder Paul Pogba to be more expansive and attacking this season.
Joining from Shakhtar Donetsk for $66 million, Fred will likely take up a position in midfield alongside anchorman Nemanja Matic and also Pogba, who should play in his preferred place on the left of a central three and have fewer defensive responsibilities.
Perhaps that’s what United manager Jose Mourinho meant when he talked about Fred giving the team “another dimension”.