Three Players From Newly Promoted Premier League Clubs To Watch Out For
It has been a month since the Premier League season ended, but the excitement for the upcoming season is very palpable. It is a very interesting period for the fans as teams prepare for the new season, with new players expected to come in. And the excitement and enthusiasm will be a notch higher for the recently promoted clubs – Newcastle United, Brighton & Hove Albion and Huddersfield Town.
Newcastle were relegated in the 2015-16 campaign, but managed to return to the top flight at the first time of asking and they did so in style, by winning the EFL Championship. Brighton returned to the the top flight for the first time in 34 years after earning an automatic promotion, having finished 2nd in the Championship. Huddersfield on the other hand, made it back to the top tier of English football after they defeated Reading FC in the playoff finals.
Ahead of the upcoming campaign, we take a look at three players from the Premier League newbies who could set the stage alight in the top division.
Jonjo Shelvey (Newcastle United)
The Newcastle United midfielder is no stranger to the rigours and the demands of Premier League football, having been there and having seen it all during his time with Liverpool and Swansea City before getting relegated with the Magpies.
Shelvey is held in the highest of regards by the Newcastle fans and rightly so, as he has the quality to change the course of the game with just a moment of brilliance. The English box to box midfielder finished the season in the Championship with 5 goals and 8 assists last time around and if he manages to stay fit over the course of the season and fires, he could turn out to be the MVP for the Magpies on their return to the Premier League.
Anthony Knockaert (Brighton & Hove Albion)
While Glenn Murray’s 23 goals played a pivotal role in Brighton earning promotion, there was another player who was arguably more crucial to their campaign – Anthony Knockaert.
The Frenchman had an outstanding season for the Seagulls in the Championship as he put in a series of excellent displays to drive Chris Hughton’s men to the Premier League. Knockaert finished the campaign with a total of 15 goals and 8 assists across all competitions, having missed just a single league game. His brilliance from the wide areas was deservedly rewarded with the Championship Player of the Year award. He is definetely someone to watch out for in the Premier League next season.
Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield Town)
The Australian midfielder was signed on a temporary spell by the Terriers from Premier League outfit Manchester City, shortly after his move to the Etihad from Melbourne City. It turned out to be a huge success. This prompted Huddersfield to sign Mooy on a permanent basis upon their return to the top flight and as per BBC Sport, the two clubs have reached an agreement for a £10million move for the midfielder.
Mooy was the man who kept the Terriers ticking from the deeper midfield areas, as he displayed his play making abilities with great aplomb, playing an instrumental role in Martin Wagner’s side’s promotion bid. The Australian ended the campaign with 4 goals and 7 assists and his performances resulted in him being named the club’s Player of the Year. He will be keen on displaying his array of abilities in the English top flight.