The new Premier League season gets under way on Friday, 21 August, with the title race once again expected to dominate the conversation. Yet the battle at the top will not be the only attraction. Several high-profile transfers, fresh managerial projects and major changes within leading clubs have created another storyline: how quickly the league’s biggest new arrivals can adapt and deliver.

Five players, in particular, are expected to attract considerable attention during the 2026–27 campaign.

Morgan Rogers — Chelsea

Morgan Rogers has joined Chelsea from Aston Villa for a reported British-record fee of £117 million. At 24, the England midfielder arrives with considerable expectations and is expected to play an important role in new manager Xabi Alonso’s plans for rebuilding the side.

Chelsea finished only 10th in the Premier League last season, leaving the club with plenty to prove. Rogers’ performances could therefore be crucial as Chelsea look to climb the table and establish greater consistency.

His existing relationship with Cole Palmer could also help the transition. The pair already know each other, and their understanding may give Alonso another attacking option. The challenge will be finding the right tactical balance to accommodate two players who can operate in similar areas.

Elliot Anderson — Manchester City

Before Rogers’ move to Chelsea, Elliot Anderson had briefly become Britain’s most expensive player after Manchester City agreed a reported £116 million deal to sign him from Nottingham Forest.

The 23-year-old midfielder faces an immediate test at a club accustomed to competing for major honours. City have lost influential midfield figures, including Rodri and Bernardo Silva, leaving Anderson with an important role to fill.

His composure, passing ability and positional awareness are among the qualities that attracted City. With the club seeking to regain the Premier League title after two seasons without the trophy, Anderson’s adaptation could prove significant.

Bruno Guimarães — Arsenal

Arsenal have strengthened their midfield by signing Brazil international Bruno Guimarães from Newcastle for a reported £75 million.

Mikel Arteta can now look towards a midfield featuring Guimarães alongside Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard. The Brazilian’s energy, ball-winning ability and composure in possession could add another dimension to Arsenal’s midfield.

The key question is how quickly he develops an understanding with his new team-mates. Ødegaard has expressed satisfaction with the early signs, but competitive matches will provide the real test.

Sandro Tonali — Tottenham Hotspur

Sandro Tonali begins a new chapter at Tottenham under manager Roberto De Zerbi. The Italian midfielder is expected to become an important part of the club’s rebuilding effort.

Tonali has already demonstrated his ability to influence matches through his work rate, ball control and disciplined midfield play. His move to Tottenham brings a fresh challenge, with expectations rising around the club after a difficult previous campaign.

The sizeable transfer fee also adds pressure. Tonali will need to show that his decision to move was the right one through performances rather than words.

Jérémy Jacquet — Liverpool

Liverpool have brought in 21-year-old defender Jérémy Jacquet as part of their efforts to strengthen a changing defensive unit.

The arrival comes at a significant moment for the club. Virgil van Dijk, now 35, remains an experienced presence, but Liverpool have also seen major changes elsewhere in defence, including the departures of Ibrahima Konaté to Real Madrid and Andrew Robertson to Tottenham.

Liverpool had reportedly secured Jacquet’s move from French club Rennes for around £60 million during the winter transfer window. His partnership with Van Dijk will therefore be closely watched.

Van Dijk has acknowledged that developing a strong understanding with a new defensive partner can take time. For Liverpool, how quickly that relationship develops could have a direct impact on their defensive stability throughout the season.

With major transfers, new tactical demands and ambitious targets shaping the campaign, these five players will enter the new Premier League season carrying different kinds of expectations. Their performances could become some of the defining stories of the months ahead.