Players to watch in the English Premier League 2024/25 season

Leandro Trossard of Arsenal replaces teammate Gabriel Martinelli during a Premier League match against Brentford FC at Emirates Stadium in London on 11 February 2023. (Photo: Shaun Botterill / Getty Images)

Gabriel Martinelli – Arsenal

Considering that 2024/25 is the sixth season that Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli is spending at Arsenal, followers of English soccer should know all about him. Yet the 23-year-old remains something of an enigma. In 2022/23, he had his best season, scoring 15 league goals. Last season he regressed, with only six. This season feels important for his Arsenal career, with teammate Leandro Trossard applying pressure.

Ollie Watkins – Aston Villa

As an Aston Villa player, Ollie Watkins has nothing left to prove. Having been groomed by Exeter City, this is the England striker’s fourth year with the Villans. Last season, he was instrumental in his team’s qualification for the Champions League, with 19 goals and 13 assists. If he replicates that form, it may be his final season in Birmingham.

Justin Kluivert of Bournemouth celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 2-1 during their Premier League match against Manchester United on 13 April 2024. (Photo: Catherine Ivill – AMA / Getty Images)

Justin Kluivert – Bournemouth

When your father is a respected player like Patrick Kluivert (right) was, it will always be difficult to shake the spotlight. That has been the case with Justin Kluivert, who is a product of the Ajax Amsterdam youth system, but has played in Italy, Germany, Spain, France and now England. Will this be the season he finally properly announces himself?

Ivan Toney – Brentford

The England striker missed out on half of Brentford’s campaign last season because he was banned for breaking the Football Association’s betting rules for professional players. When he returned in early 2024, he was far from his lethal self. This season, he will hope to redeem himself.

Evan Ferguson – Brighton

Despite still being a teenager, Evan Ferguson is one of the key players at Brighton. An ankle injury will keep him out until October.

Christopher Nkunku of Chelsea controls the ball during the Premier League match against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on 19 May 2024. (Photo: Dan Mullan / Getty Images)

Christopher Nkunku – Chelsea

France’s Christopher Nkunku arrived at Chelsea with much promise. After impressing at German club RB Leipzig, with 70 goals in 172 appearances, there was hope that he would bring that form to the Blues when he joined last season. However, injury blues meant he only featured in 11 of Chelsea’s 38 league games. In this campaign, if he remains fit, he will be crucial.

Ismaïla Sarr – Crystal Palace

After the departure of Frenchman Michael Olise for Bayern Munich, Senegalese star Ismaïla Sarr will be expected to fill the void. The fierce 26-year-old attacker possesses plenty of experience of English football, having spent four years at Watford – recording 34 goals and 22 assists in 131 games – before joining Marseille.

Jesper Lindstrøm of Everton during a pre-season friendly match against Preston North End on 3 August 2024. (Photo: Ben Roberts Photo / Getty Images)

Jesper Lindstrøm – Everton

Danish midfielder Jesper Lindstrøm (right) is essentially auditioning at Everton this campaign. Signed on a season-long loan from Italian outfit Napoli, the multifaceted midfield man will be keen to impress the Toffees’ hierarchy in order to earn a permanent Premier League move.

Emile Smith Rowe – Fulham

Three years ago, Englishman and Arsenal academy product Emile Smith Rowe seemed destined to become a key component of the club’s rebuilding phase, headed by manager Mikel Arteta. In 2021/22 he played in 33 matches, scoring 10 goals. For some reason he fell down the pecking order in subsequent seasons. The midfielder has a fresh opportunity to reintroduce himself at Fulham.

Omari Hutchinson – Ipswich

Newly promoted Ipswich splashed the cash to acquire Jamaican attacker Hutchinson from Chelsea, making the 20-year-old their first signing as they return to the Premier League for the first time in more than two decades. He impressed when he was on loan with them last season, with 10 goals and six assists.

Abdul Fatawu of Leicester City celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Southampton at The King Power Stadium in Leicester on 23 April 2024. (Photo: Alex Livesey – Danehouse / Getty Images)

Abdul Fatawu – Leicester City

The 20-year-old Ghana international impressed on loan at King Power Stadium last season, contributing as Leicester earned their way back into the Premiership. He was on loan from Portuguese club Sporting and has since earned a permanent deal with the Foxes.

Cody Gakpo – Liverpool

The PSV Eindhoven product arrived at Liverpool with much fanfare after his exploits in the Dutch Premier division. In his homeland, Cody Gakpo netted 55 times and assisted a further 50 goals, thus earning his Liverpool move in 2023. A total of 13 goal involvements from 35 league appearances showed glimpses of his quality.

Savinho – Manchester City

With the departure of attacker Julián Álvarez for Atlético Madrid, as well as the injury of prospect Oscar Bobb, the pressure of expectation on new City signing Savinho has doubled. The 20-year-old Brazilian was signed from French side Troyes after impressing during a loan spell with Girona, as they finished third in the Spanish league. His creativity and eye for goal will be important, as long as he can adapt quickly enough.

André Onana – Manchester United

The Cameroonian glovesman came to Manchester with expectation surrounding him. Since the departure of David de Gea, the club’s goalkeeping department had not lived up to the standard of former greats such as Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar. Last season Onana failed miserably, and there will be much more pressure on him to perform in his second season.

Bruno Guimarães – Newcastle United

The best way to describe Brazilian Bruno Guimarães is that he is a cross between the elegance of former Italy international Andrea Pirlo and the dogged defensive determination of N’Golo Kanté. As he heads into his third campaign with the Magpies he has nothing to prove in English soccer. However, he may seek greener pastures if Newcastle fail to qualify for Europe again this season.

Ibrahim Sangaré – Nottingham Forest

Ibrahim Sangaré was one of a plethora of players Forest splurged on last season – a spending spree that saw them fall on the wrong side of the Premier League’s spending rules. However, the midfield anchor is yet to live up to the hype and justify his £30-million price tag. This season he must.

Adam Armstrong of Southampton celebrates scoring their second goal against Sheffield Wednesday on 13 January 2024. (Photo: Bryn Lennon / Getty Images)

Adam Armstrong – Southampton

Adam Armstrong has been with the Saints since 2021, signing from Blackburn Rovers. In that period, he has been an important player for them, making 119 appearances and scoring 29 goals.

Dominic Solanke – Tottenham Hotspur

Since the departure of Harry Kane last season, Tottenham Hotspur have been on the prowl for a similar player. After not finding a similar fit last season, they have settled for the well-travelled Dominic Solanke this season. The former Chelsea youth product, who donned Liverpool red, was important for Bournemouth last season, scoring 19 goals in 38 games.

Niclas Füllkrug – West Ham

Niclas Füllkrug is one of the newcomers in the new season of the Premier League. The striker joined the Hammers from Borussia Dortmund on a four-year contract. At 1.9m tall, he will be an imposing figure for defenders.

Hwang Hee-chan – Wolverhampton Wanderers

After three years in England the South Korean is now something of a veteran in the Premier League. With Wolves losing one of their key players, Pedro Neto, to Chelsea, senior players such as Hwang Hee-chan will have to step up for the club. DM

This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.