Nine fit-again Premier League players set to make a statement this season

We’re back in action. The Premier League season kicked off last weekend with 25 goals, 3 penalties, 28 yellow cards, 1 red card and a whole lot of opening weekend drama.

Understandably, many people’s eyes were on the debutants, with 19 of the 20 Premier League clubs spending money to improve their squads this summer.

But away from the spotlight are a number of players that are looking to prove themselves this season after injuries thwarted their previous campaigns.

The phrase ‘like a new signing’ is often ridiculed by football fans in this country, but there are plenty of Premier League managers that will be delighted to have some key players at their disposal again.

We’ve picked out nine players that could be set to make an impact in the Premier League this season.

Daniel Sturridge

Club:Liverpool

2017/18 league minutes:547

Last major injury: Serious hamstring strain

The striker joined West Brom on loan for the second half of last season, hoping to get regular minutes and play his way into contention for a place in England’s World Cup squad. A hamstring injury just minutes into his first start put a halt to that idea and many thought Sturridge would move on to pastures new this summer.

But the former Chelsea man has looked electric since his return to Liverpool, scoring six goals in pre-season and netting in the Reds’ 4-0 win over West Ham on Sunday. A fit and firing Daniel Sturridge could be a major asset for Liverpool this season and provide the forward trio of Salah, Mané and Firmino with some much-needed support.

Statement stat: Daniel Sturridge scored just 24 seconds after coming off the bench in Liverpool’s Premier League opener against West Ham

Benjamin Mendy

Club: Manchester City

2017/18 league minutes: 361

Last major injury: Ruptured anterior cruciate ligament

After a hugely promising start to his time at Manchester City, Mendy suffered a devastating injury in City’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace last September.

The former Monaco left-back spent most of last season recovering but was part of the France squad that went on to win the World Cup in Russia. Pep Guardiola has already singled out the importance of Mendy to his team this season – despite admitting he sometimes wants to kill him – and the full-back was integral in City’s opening day victory over Arsenal on Sunday.

Should Guardiola be able to tame this particular shark, the defending champions will become an even scarier proposition.

Statement stat: Benjamin Mendy provided both assists in Manchester City’s opening day win against Arsenal

Harry Winks

Club: Spurs

2017/18 league minutes: 770

Last major injury: Persistent ankle problems resulting in surgery

Midfielder Winks has not played since February after an untimely injury led to surgery on his ankle. He penned a new contract with Spurs earlier this year that sees his current deal run until 2023.

The 22-year-old had also become a part of Gareth Southgate’s plans and many believe he would have gone to this summer’s World Cup if it wasn’t for injury. He had been expected to play a part in pre-season but is still said to be feeling some discomfort in his ankle. When he does return, Winks will be looking to kick on and establish himself as Spurs’ and England’s most exciting young players.

One of the standout performers against Real Madrid in the Champions League last season, Winks’ talent is clear for all to see and he was handed the number 8 shirt at the start of the 2018/19 campaign.

Danny Ings

Club: Southampton

2017/18 league minutes: 265

Last major injury: Cartilage damage in knee

Ings actually spent the majority of last season fit and available for selection at Liverpool, but two serious knee injuries in the space of two years have meant that it’s been a long recovery process for the striker.

The former Burnley forward completed a deadline day move to Southampton last week, with Mark Hughes believing his goals can fire Southampton to safety this season. Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp was extremely reluctant to let Ings go but the striker felt he needed to move on and get his career back on track. He looked sharp in his first appearance for the club, appearing as a substitute in Southampton’s 0-0 draw with Burnley.

Statement stat: Ings created 4 chances in 34 minutes on his debut for Southampton on Sunday – no other player on the pitch managed more.

Tyrone Mings

Club: Bournemouth

2017/18 league minutes: 201

Last major injury: Back injury

There was a lot of excitement surrounding Mings when Bournemouth spent £8m to sign him from Ipswich Town in 2015, only for the defender to sustain a serious knee injury on his league debut for the Cherries. Since then he has been troubled by back problems and underwent specialist treatment in Qatar earlier this year.

Mings, now 25, has been hailed for his character on many occasions by Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe and was on the bench for their opening day victory against Cardiff on Saturday.

Nathaniel Chalobah

 

Club: Watford

2017/18 league minutes: 448

Last major injury: Fractured kneecap

Chalobah had formed a formidable midfield partnership with Abdoulaye Doucouré at Watford and looked to be in with a very good chance of making England’s World Cup squad, only to suffer a devastating injury in training with the Hornets last September.

The former Chelsea man left his boyhood club in search of regular first-team football last summer and returned to Vicarage Road where he had previously spent a year on loan at the age of 18. Chalobah made a substitute appearance in Watford’s final game of last season against Manchester United but Javi Gracia has been keen to not rush him back into action too quickly this summer. He has now returned to full training and should be back on the pitch in the near future.

Tom Heaton

Club: Burnley

2017/18 league minutes: 306

Last major injury: Dislocated shoulder resulting in surgery

Heaton was one of the mainstays in Sean Dyche’s side in the years after Burnley had been promoted to the Premier League. His good form had also made him an established England goalkeeper, only for a dislocated shoulder to bring a halt to his progress.

Nick Pope, who was signed from Charlton last summer, proved to be a more than capable deputy for Heaton and went on to make England’s World Cup squad. Another goalkeeper crisis led forced the Clarets into the transfer market with Joe Hart joining the club on a permanent deal from Man City.

Whether Heaton gets the chance to reclaim his No.1 spot remains to be seen, but should he be used in Europe or even in the domestic cups, he will be determined to prove why he was once above both his teammates in the England pecking order.

Adam Lallana

Club: Liverpool

2017/18 league minutes: 236

Last major injury: Serious hamstring strain

Lallana endured a miserable 2017/18 campaign that was thwarted with various injuries. Klopp emphasised how big a loss Lallana had been towards the end of last season, claiming that reaching a Champions League final was an even bigger achievement for his side without a player of his quality.

The midfielder was a hugely important player for Klopp in his first year at the club, moving back into a deeper role and starting the all-important pressing game at Liverpool. The former Southampton captain was involved in the majority of Liverpool’s pre-season and was an unused substitute in the Reds’ opening day clash against West Ham. If he stays fit, he will play plenty of football for Klopp’s side this season.

Eric Bailly

Club: Manchester United

2017/18 league minutes: 999

Last major injury: Ankle injury resulting in surgery

Although Bailly was still able to play a lot of football for United last season, he will return feeling he has a point to prove during the new campaign. Even more so given Mourinho’s reluctance to play him at the back end of 2017/18 in order to improve his teammates’ chances of reaching the World Cup.

José Mourinho was, of course, on the lookout for a new centre-back during the summer transfer window and Bailly is one of a number of centre-back options at the club that will be looking to establish themselves as a first-choice option. He started United’s season opener against Leicester City on Friday and performed well alongside Victor Lindelöf. Without any incomings, this could be the season he fully converts his manager into a believer.

Statement stat: Bailly won three tackles and made six clearances in the opening day win vs. Leicester.

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