10 TO WATCH
RICHARLISON, 21
WHEN I first saw him play for Watford, he was the closest I have seen to a young Cristiano Ronaldo. I’m not saying g that he’s as good as the five-time Champions League winner. But I see in Richarlison the same attributes the 19-year-old Ronaldo possessed when I played against him. The Brazilian has blistering pace, is good in the air and loves to take on players. At times he over-elaborates with his tricks and flicks and his critics will point to the fact that he did not score after November. But there is a reason Marco Silva — who brought him to Watford this time last year — has paid £44million to take him from his old club. That may seem a lot of money now but if Richarlison fulfils his potential, it could prove a bargain. Everton’s new manager knows that if he can dig beneath the surface, he can strike gold.
RUBEN NEVES, 21
THIS player is central to everything Wolves do. He was their outstanding player in their promotion campaign and I’m confident he will make the step up to the Premier League. Neves likes to dictate games from midfield but he may find it tricky at first. He will not be afforded the same space he was given in the Championship. He was a showman last season — scoring six times from outside of the box — and I am sure we will see more of those magic moments. Nuno Espirito Santo has built a strong squad at Molineux and I don’t think they will be in any danger of going down. Impress this season and Neves could be set for a big move.
NABY KEITA, 23
HE’S a little powerhouse — an allaction hero in midfield. Keita has a great touch, will make goals s and score them. There is also devilment in his play and that could get him in trouble. We saw that last season when he was sent off four times. When Manchester United visit Anfield in December, I’m sure they’ll use every trick in the book to try to wind him up! But if he keeps his cool, he can be such an important player. The only time Liverpool missed Philippe Coutinho was against the more stubborn sides when they struggled to unlock the door. Keita and fellow arrival Fabinho can bring that guile to Jurgen Klopp’s midfield.
PHIL FODEN, 18
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MAX MEYER, 22
PALACE have committed a lot of money in terms of wages on the former Schalke star. I first saw him play against Chelsea in the Champions League five years ago. He is a neat and tidy player who is good on the ball but is yet to fulfil his true potential. At 22 there’s plenty of time for him to do so but whether he can at Selhurst Park remains to be seen. The big challenge for Roy Hodgson is how to use him. Will he sit in a midfield two or play as a No10? I’m fascinated to see how this move turns out.
JACK WILSHERE, 26
JAMES CORDEN is trying to claim the credit for Jack going to West Ham after he came on A League Of Their Own a few weeks ago! This is a perfect move for him. He is the sort of player who will take the game by the scruff of the neck and conjure moments of magic. The West Ham fans should really take to him. Of course there will be question marks over his fitness and I have said for a long time that he needs to add more goals and assists to his game. But if he can stay injury free he has a great platform to get back into the England squad. For me this is the most interesting signing of the summer and I’m intrigued to see how he does.
AARON RAMSEY, 27
I’M expecting g big things from Ramsey this season. Unai Emery must look at the midfielder r and think, ‘Why h haven’t Arsenal got the best from him?’ What Emery has to do is give him more direction. There has been no pressure on any of the Arsenal players for the last few years under Arsene Wenger but now each will be given a defined role. Emery must tell Ramsey that his job is to make late runs into the box and score Frank Lampard-style goals. He has one year left on his contract and it is vital that Emery keeps him at the Emirates. Start the season in scintillating form and I can see Ramsey signing a new long-term deal.
PAUL POGBA, 25
POGBA went to o the World Cup with plenty of questions hanging over him. Can he do it in n big games? Can he score goals? Can he be disciplined and play in a midfield two? It’s safe to say he answered every one of his critics as France were crowned world champions. Didier Deschamps, the France manager, found a way to get the best from him so why can’t Jose Mourinho? I just feel there is another clash waiting to happen between these two and I find it difficult to see how they can repair their relationship. Mourinho has gone with the safe option of making Antonio Valencia his captain but I’d have given the armband to Pogba. By building the team around him, Jose would be challenging Pogba to prove he is an elite player by delivering captain’s performances every week.
JORGINHO, 26
IT IS a good sign when a new manager’s first act upon arriving at a club is to bring in a player he has worked with closely. Maurizio Sarri rates £57million signing Jorginho highly and trusts him to be the pass master in Chelsea’s midfield. He has a lovely habit of finding a team-mate with practically every pass but he struggled against City at Wembley yesterday and will need to get up to speed quickly. If he does, Chelsea should have a great balance in midfield with Jorginho alonside N’Golo Kante. They have bundles of energy and will keep the ball well.
RYAN SESSEGNON, 18
WHAT strikes me most about Sessegnon is that nothing seems to faze him. He is only 18 but has already played 71 games in the Championship, scored 20 goals and been shortlisted for PFA Young Player of the Year. When I first watched him at left back I thought that he could be the next Ashley Cole. Now, his transition to left wing reminds me of Gareth Bale. Manager Slavisa Jokanovic has recognised that a player with such pace and skill can cause more damage high up the pitch. I don’t want to put too much pressure on him but I cannot see why he won’t take to the Premier League with the same confidence he has approached his promising career to date.