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Players to watch as EPL kicks off
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Even in this condensed summer between seasons, the impacts of new signings are going to be the main talking points of the opening weekend of the Premier League campaign.
The vast majority of the top-flight sides in England take to the field once again on September 12 – just seven weeks after the 2019-20 season came to a close.
Several Premier League sides have been busy in the transfer market, which closes on on October 5. These are some of the new buys likely to light up the first weekend of the top-flight.
Rodrigo – Leeds United
Position: Forward
Price: £27million
First match: Liverpool (A), September 12
Leeds United’s tie away at Liverpool today will be a momentous day for the supporters as they will watch their team in the top-flight for the first time in 16 years.
Nobody knows what to expect from Marcelo Bielsa’s side this season, their opening game at Anfield will give a strong indication whether Leeds are here to challenge the big boys or provoke modest expectations amongst their fans.
Eberechi Eze – Crystal Palace
Position: Attacking midfielder
Price: £17million
First match: Southampton (H), September 12
He may only be 22-years-old, but there is a lot of expectation on the shoulders of Eberechi Eze at Selhurst Park this season.
The former QPR man lit up the Championship with some impressive displays last season, which earned him a £17million to Roy Hodgson’s side.
Palace will be hoping that Eze will be a regular on the Eagles’ scoresheet whilst also helping to provide key passes to other attacking talents such as Wilfried Zaha and Jordan Ayew – starting in his first home match against Southampton today.
Timo Werner – Chelsea
Position: Striker
Price: £47.5million
First match: Brighton (A), September 14
The 24-year-old scored 34 goals in 45 matches in all competitions for RB Leipzig last season and the pacy, clinical forward will be looking to get off to the perfect Premier League start against Brighton on Monday night.
Werner found the net just minutes into Chelsea’s pre-season tie against Brighton in August and could do the same at the Amex on the opening weekend.
Matheus Pereira – West Bromwich Albion
Position: Attacking midfielder
Price: £9million
First match: Leicester City (H), September 13
West Bromwich Albion supporters all know about what Matheus Pereira can bring to the team, but Premier League fans have yet to seen him play.
The silky midfielder was a bright light in the Baggies side that won promotion to the top-flight last term through the automatic promotion spots.
Willian – Arsenal
Position: Winger/Attacking Midfielder
Price: Free
First match: Fulham (A), September 12
Brazilian winger Willian made the shock switch across London to Arsenal after turning down a lucrative new contract at Chelsea.
While the 32-year-old was regularly used as a winger at Stamford Bridge, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has hinted that Willian could be used in a more attacking midfield role in north London.
The Brazilian will return to west London for his first Premier League match in the red and white of Arsenal against Fulham and will be looking to get off to a positive start.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – Tottenham Hotspur
Position: Midfielder
Price: £25million
First match: Everton (H), September 13
Spurs have been needing a reshuffle in midfield for some time and ex-Southampton captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is hoping to be the breath of fresh air Jose Mourinho needs in the middle of the park.
The Danish midfielder is expected to be the ball-winning option out of the midfield three in order to compliment the likes of Giovani Lo Celso and Dele Alli going forward. Hojbjerg can break up play while also play simple yet effective passes going ahead.
Thiago Silva – Chelsea
Position: Centre-back
Price: Free
First match: Brighton (A), September 14
The 35-year-old may be hitting the twilight of his career but he will provide the leadership and defensive astuteness that Lampard’s side desperately lacked last season.
Fresh off the back of an impressive Champions League final performance, Silva’s prospective debut against Brighton should not be too difficult a test.
Mohammed Salisu – Southampton
Position: Centre-back
Price: £11million
First match: Crystal Palace (A), September 12
Young defender Mohammed Salisu had an impressive season at Real Valladolid last term, now he’s getting a try at some top-flight action in England.
The 21-year-old is expected to be the reliable defensive option in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s relentless attacking team and his displays will be crucial in determining his how far the Saints improve from last term.
Jeff Hendrick – Newcastle United
Position: Midfielder
Price: Free
First match: West Ham (A), September 12
The 28-year-old is an excellent ball carrier and could be the all-important link which connects the Magpies’ midfield to their forward line.
With Newcastle facing a West Ham side who are yet to make any transfers this summer, this is an opportunity for Hendrick and Newcastle to start the season on the front foot.
Players to watch as EPL kicks off
Just a few years ago, Zinabu Issah’s life revolved around her small trading business, and competing in sports was not on her mind.
Today, the Ghanaian para-athlete stands proudly as a Commonwealth Games silver medalist, proving that determination, hard work and perseverance can transform lives in unimaginable ways.
Issah, who competes in the shot put, javelin and discus events, recalls how her journey began unexpectedly when Coach Emmanuel Sowah Anum approached her and encouraged her to try para-sports.
“I had no intention of doing any sport. I was a petty trader and one day my coach approached me and told me to take up the sport. When he first said it, I laughed because sports was not my thing.
“But he was persistent and eventually convinced me to take up the sport,” she told GNA Sports in an interview.
According to Zinabu, her decision was met with resistance from some family members and friends who questioned why a woman living with a disability would pursue field events.
She faced a lot of stereotypes and criticism, which could easily have discouraged her, but she decided to stay focused on achieving success.
“He (Coach) told me he had seen something in me and believed I could excel in the sport,” she said while expressing gratitude to her coach.
“I want to thank God first of all and also thank my coach for believing in me,” she added.
Her coach, Emmanuel Sowah in an interview, revealed that he spotted Zinabu in Kumasi in 2014 and admitted that life was very difficult for her at the time.
“I saw something in her. I knew I could make her a better field athlete despite her disability, and I personally bought her first training kit. Over the past years, she has developed impressively,” he said.
Coach Sowah said he believes Zinabu can achieve even more and hopes she can step up at the next Paralympic Games, which he is confident she will qualify for.
The road from being a trader to competing in shot put, discus and javelin has been remarkable.
Zinabu has featured in numerous international tournaments, most notably winning gold at the 2024 Paralympic Games Qualifiers Grand Prix in Marrakech, Morocco.
The success earned her recognition, including an award at the 9th Women in Sports Association (WISA) Awards, a moment she says significantly boosted her confidence and motivation.
Her latest achievement came at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where she delivered a season-best throw of 8.65 metres to secure silver in the women’s F57 shot put.
That was Ghana’s first medal of the Games and, according to Zinabu, the victory has changed perceptions within her family.
“Ever since my winning moment at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, my family have praised my exploits, and I am excited about that.
“My junior sister, who in the past told me to stop and promised to give me money to start a new business, is today excited about my achievement,” she said.
With her sights now firmly set on the 2028 Paralympic Games, Zinabu is determined to continue breaking barriers.
“I am preparing for the Paralympics, and I am optimistic of qualification. My target is to go for the gold medal,” she said.
For Zinabu, the journey from being a petty trader to a Commonwealth Games medalist is more than a personal triumph is a story of resilience, belief and the power of giving opportunity a chance. –GNA
The Angel Starlight Foundation (ASF) last Friday presented assorted food items to learners and management of the Street Academy, a sports and cultural organisation in Accra.
Mrs Angel Addo, Founder of the NGO made the donation as part of her birthday celebration.
She presented bags of rice, beans, maize, gallons of cooking oil, biscuits, drinks, soap and toilet rolls.
“This is a yearly ritual for me; choosing to celebrate my birthday with children of the Academy. They are very dear to my heart,” she told the Spectator.
She said “these are underprivileged children who through no fault of theirs find themselves on the streets but have been fortunate to be picked by the Academy and are receiving care.”
He urged government and corporate Ghana to also support the Academy in order to support such children who are offered formal education and trained in skilled programmes.
Receiving the items, Dr Ataa Lartey, Founder of the Academy thanked the Foundation for the gesture which he said would go a long way to ease the burden of the Academy.
In another development, the Academy will host its annual health walk today.
The event would attract children from the Academy and those from neighbouring communities and keep fit enthusiasts.
By Spectator Reporter
