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#3 Achraf Hakimi (Real Madrid to Inter Milan)
After starting his professional career at Real Madrid in the 2017/18 season, Achraf Hakimi made just 17 appearances for the club before he was loaned out to Borussia Dortmund, where he developed into one of the most exciting young players in the world.
During his two-year loan spell with the Bundesliga club, Hakimi scored 12 goals in 75 appearances in all competitions across two seasons, which is a fine return for a full-back.
With his confidence and game soaring as a result of regular football, something that would not have been possible at Madrid, Hakimi blossomed into a complete player.
Under Lucien Favre, Hakimi demonstrated his versatility with aplomb, especially last season, looking at ease as both a right-back or a left-back or while deployed in the wings in a more attacking role.
In an interview with AS, the 20-year-old Moroccan spoke about his new-found versatility and preferred playing position.
“I wouldn't be able to tell you which side I'm more comfortable on. I've learned a lot playing on both flanks and I'm going to keep on doing so. I think it's a real string to my bow: any coach who has a player able to play on both wings, someone versatile, knows that this benefits the team.”
After returning to Madrid, Hakimi, as expected, found himself behind first-choice Dani Carvajal in the team's pecking order. With Real looking to thin their squad, Hakimi was sold to Inter Milan on a €40 million transfer.
The young Moroccan is expected to be one of the first names in Inter's starting XI this season. In Antonio Conte's preferred 3-5-2 formation, Hakimi could likely line up on the right-hand side of a midfield five, operating in his natural right-wing-back role.
Hakimi is not short of big-game experience, as he has played for two of the biggest clubs in Europe, winning the Champions League with Madrid and capped 28 times by Morocco. All signs point to Hakimi hitting the ground running at the San Siro this season.
#2 Victor Osimhen (LOSC Lille to Napoli)
Victor Osimhen made his professional debut with VfL Wolfsburg, but it was Lille where the 21-year-old Nigerian shot to fame this season.
In what turned out to be his lone full-season in Lille, the striker scored 18 goals in 38 appearances throughout the 2019/20 season. Osimhen also impressed with other attacking stats like shots and recoveries in the final-third that caught the attention of clubs across Europe.
In June, he was named Lille's Player of the Season and also found himself in Ligue 1's Team of the Season.
Eventually, SSC Napoli beat off competition from the likes of Premier League giants Manchester United and Chelsea to acquire the services of the prodigious Nigerian, who scored 10 goals in the U-17 World Cup in 2015 to lay down a marker of his potential.
Napoli manager Gennaro Gattuso believes that Osimhen would greatly enhance his side because of his versatility that allows him to be deployed in a bevvy of roles in the attacking-third.
Although, Gattuso has been known to prefer the 4-3-3 formation, he may be open to tweak his system to make best use of the expensive acquisition who can play both as a centre-forward or on the wings.
"Osimhen is a striker who gives us various game alternatives, we have the ability to change our style. He knows how to attack spaces, has physical strength and will certainly give us a big hand. Obviously my staff and I have tactical ideas in our heads. We have quality players and we will analyze how the team will line up,” said Gattuso.
#1 Dani Parejo (Valencia to Villareal)
After making his professional debut with Real Madrid in 2008, it was with Valencia that Dani Parejo made his name.
During a glorious nine-season stint with the La Liga club, the central midfielder scored 64 goals in 384 appearances in various competitions, including churning out successive ten-goal seasons, which is a decent return for someone who is not an out-and-out striker.
Like most clubs whose finances were hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, Parejo was one of several players who were sold off by Valencia to reduce their wage bill. The midfielder wanted to see out his two years left in his contract, but had to eventually leave against his will as Valencia 'listened' to offers from other clubs before allowing him to join Villareal on a free transfer.
"It's a difficult moment, my children are from Valencia and I've been here nine years. I've felt hurt and sad by the situation for two days. I've always said that my intention was to retire at Valencia. I think I have received a lot of support, Valencia fans are the best. I've never been in a club like it," said Parejo.
Parejo, an aggressive and effective pressing player who is also renowned for his ball-distribution prowess, joins compatriot and Valencia teammate Frances Coquelin at the Estadio de la Ceramica.
The 31-year-old player is expected to take up the playmaking role left vacant by Santi Cazorla, who left to play for Qatari club Al Sadd.
Villareal, who finished a creditable fifth last season to qualify for the Europa League, will immensely benefit from the arrival of Parejo who is an experienced campaigner in the Spanish top-flight. The midfielder himself had good words to say about his new club, which points to a mutually productive partnership.
"Everyone I know that has played here before talked really good about the club, how it cares about the players. I am really excited and happy that the club is making a big effort. They brought in a great coach in Unai Emery who has won a lot of titles," said Parejo after his arrival at Villareal.
Honourable mention: Kai Havertz (Bayer Leverkusen to Chelsea)
After a productive four-season spell at Bayer Leverkusen, where he scored 46 goals in 150 starts, 20-year-old Kai Havertz arrived at Chelsea as part of the London's club massive squad overhaul.
The German winger was snapped up by Chelsea for €80 million, making the player the most expensive ahead of the new season.
Havertz, a two-footed player with strong aerial ability, has drawn comparisions with illustrious compatriots like Mesut Ozil, Michael Ballack and Toni Kroos. However, he missed out on a mention in our top-five because he may take time to adapt to his new surroundings next season. The Premier League is one of the most physical football leagues in the world after all.
The 20-year-old may not hit the ground running at Stamford Bridge but in due course, could blossom into one of the finest players in the game this season.
