The build-up to the league football season began immediately after the period of International football was concluded last month. Hurried transfers, surprising deals, and shocking rumours have been a part of our lives for quite some time now and all of it is contributing to the excitement and anticipation.
As is the case every year, this year's transfer window has successfully managed to add new names to the already existing roster of club footballers and has helped in bringing to light several lesser known players. Most of them are young footballers and stars in their own rights for their country's junior sides while others have been playing well for quite some time in second division football clubs.
Whatever the case may be, these players have managed to catch the attention of the scots of some major clubs around the world. If their previous performances are to be held as precedents, it is safe to conclude and hope that they will do very well this upcoming season and have a huge impact at their respective clubs.
Here are 5 lesser-known players who could affect the performance of their respective to-division clubs.
#1 Loris Karius : FSV Mainz to Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp has signed Karius to become Anfield’s new no. 1. The veteran Alex Manninger believes Karius to be one of the best modern goalkeepers in Europe having taken note of his time spent in the Bundesliga. Karius, though yet not a star, has an impressive resume in his young career having spent time in Stuttgart and in Manchester City’s academy later appearing on loan for Mainz.
Liverpool are banking on his reputation as a superb shot-stopper and the 22-year old who finished last season at a club that finished outside the Bundesliga Top 10 will find himself under a spotlight when he steps out for one of the biggest clubs in English football.
As a keeper, Karius possesses good composure with his feet, an area where current No. 1 Mignolet has often fallen short at Anfield. It is also to his credit that Klopp has used him as the first choice during pre-season and the four clean sheets he has kept can only add to the speculative potential of what Karius might offer to the Reds.
#2 Oleksandr Zinchenko: FC Ufa to Manchester City
The 19-year-old Zinchenko, who played 26 times for FC Ufa in the Russian league last season managed to catch the eye of MCFC boss Pep Guardiola and became the new manager’s third signing. The Ukrainian player came up through Shakhtar Donetsk's youth team and broke Andriy Shevchenko's record by becoming the youngest player to score for his national team.
The move to the blue end of Manchester is sure to upset some Arsenal fans after it emerged that Arsene Wenger had tried to sign Zinchenko two years ago. However, City do not have an impressive record of bringing through young players and the attacking midfielder with an eye for a pass and a cross, might spend much of his time on the bench.
However, in his debut for his new club, the Zinchenko has already exhibited his potential by assisting Iheanacho in attack, holding off his own against the muscular David Alaba and was key to working with Barker and Jesus Navas to get the Blues up the pitch at speed against Bayern. If used correctly, he can prove to be an interesting prospect for the team in their title quest.
#3 Lucas Digne: PSG to Barcelona
The 22-year-old defender has been signed by the Catalan club for an initial €16.5 million from PSG. The France international will be a perfect fit for Luis Enrique’s vision and Barcelona’s style of play as he likes to get forward and augment the attack which ties in with the strategy of the La Liga champions.
He has signed a contract for the next five years and the young player has promised to meet the club’s expectations. His pace on left and his excellent technical quality on the ball make him perfect to provide a backup option for Jordi Alba’s replacement and if he rises to his potential Digne might succeed where Adriano failed in paving his way to the starting XI.
What his signing signifies for Barcelona is that it adds depth and youth to the Spanish champions’ defensive line and Digne and fellow France international Umtiti may very well compensate for the departures of Dani Alves and Marc Bartra. After having plied his trade for Lille, PSG and Roma, Barcelona might just give him the deserving push into the fame he seems to have earned till date.
#4 Rob Holding: Bolton Wanderers to Arsenal
Though still relatively unknown among the glittering stars of the footballing world, for those who were surprised at Arsenal having signed the 20-year-old might be glad to know that Rob Holding comes to Arsenal as a rising star. He recently made his international debut in England's 7-1 victory over Guinea and it was a classic Arsene Wenger move to bring in a £2m defender from Bolton while everyone was expecting a star striker to bolster Arsenal’s title chances.
He has impressed scouts across the Premier League throughout his 30 appearances last season and though he isn’t famous yet, but being a versatile player who is comfortable at both centre back and full back will propel him into making a mark for himself in Arsene Wenger’s team.
Arsenal giving him the No. 16 shirt is proof enough that Wenger sees promise in the young lad handing him the number formerly worn by Aaron Ramsey and was speculated to be given to Granit Xhaka who opted for no. 29 instead.
For those who witnessed his progress at Bolton last season, it won't have come as much of a surprise. For a relatively unknown youngster who a year ago had only a substitute appearance on loan at Bury to his name to be included among the elites of the Premier League holds a lot of promise at stake.
#5 Emre Mor: FC Nordsjælland to Borussia Dortmund
The native of Denmark is known to be a talented player. The 18-year old has a multicultural background with Turkish and Macedonian heritage and the player certainly put up an impressive performance in Turkey's last game of the Euro 2016 tournament.
For an 18-year-old, this international exposure was a huge opportunity for him to show the world what he was made of. One must also remember the circumstances under which he secured a place in the Turkish international team.
Despite being part of the provisional squad it was clear right up to the final moments that Mor would not be travelling to France. However, he put up a stellar performance against Montenegro to change that and it turned out to be a great decision for Turkey.
Furthermore, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan leaving, Mor may be assured game time at the club especially after proving his prowess as a right winger. His technical ability cannot be questioned and his runs up to the goal are often reckless and fearless.
The £5 million transfer deal might be considered a bargain for Dortmund who have done a great job rebuilding their team this transfer window. Needless to say, if Emre Mor continues his brilliant form, he might have a big impact at how Dortmund fare this season.
