The Premier League has kicked off its 2024-2025 season with plenty of excitement, and as always, the speculation surrounding transfers and player performances is front and center. This season, several players have stood out for surprising reasons, whether for stepping up their game or struggling to find their footing. Today, we take a look at some key players who have caught the eye, either positively or negatively.
First up is Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori. After his impressive display at Euro 2024, there were high hopes for the 22-year-old left-back. He faced some hurdles at the start of the season, making just one substitute appearance during pre-season, but stepped up remarkably during his full Premier League debut against Manchester City. Scoring on this prestigious stage was just the icing on the cake, showcasing his energy and versatility. Calafiori's ability to play as both a full-back and occasionally push higher up the pitch has been refreshing and has helped his teammate Gabriel Martinelli make more impactful runs. He has brought much-needed dynamism to the Gunners' attack.
From North London, we jet across to Aston Villa, where Leon Bailey's situation has been less than rosy this season. After shining brightly last year, the 27-year-old winger has seen his form dip significantly. A key player for Villa, Bailey's decline has hit the team hard, particularly as his dribbling and pace were pivotal to creating attacking opportunities. This season, he’s shown reduced confidence, playing much more conservatively than fans expect. Unai Emery will be hoping for Bailey to regain his flair to provide balance to the Villa attack.
Next, let’s highlight Bournemouth’s Evanilson. The Brazilian forward arrived with much fanfare and hefty price tag, set to fill the void left by Dominic Solanke when he moved to Tottenham Hotspur. Initially, his start was rocky, scoring just once in his first seven outings. But he’s turned things around thanks to some solid teamwork with Antoine Semenyo, even netting several goals, including contributions during high-pressure matches against Aston Villa and Manchester City. Evanilson seems to have finally found his rhythm, and fans can only hope this newfound form sticks.
Brentford’s Mikkel Damsgaard is another player who deserves attention. After struggling with consistency and injuries during his first two seasons, he has displayed impressive skills this time around. With four assists already and finally getting on the scoresheet himself, Damsgaard is quickly becoming one of the Bees' most reliable players.
It’s also important to note player moves and rumors swirling around the league. The talk around Real Madrid's potential January transfers kicks off from discussions around Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold. Early reports indicated strong interest from Madrid, especially after some defensive issues became evident following injuries to multiple key players. Dani Carvajal’s season-ending injury has amplified Real’s need for depth. This shift has reportedly cooled their interest in Alexander-Arnold, directing their pursuit toward Tottenham's Pedro Porro instead.
Porro has emerged as another option as Madrid continues to face significant defensive woes. The focal point remains bolstering their backline, especially with Aymeric Laporte named their primary target. Recently transferred to Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr, negotiating for Laporte promises to be complex, mainly due to his salary expectations and the challenges around his current contract.
Meanwhile, as teams battle through injury crises and contract negotiations, attention turns to players like Tottenham's Son Heung-min. With the recent ban for teammate Rodrigo Bentancur due to controversial remarks about Son, the whispers around Spurs' top 5 aspirations have circulated. Some analysts believe this could be detrimental for their season as key players deal with the fallout from disciplinary actions.
On the transfer front, Manchester United continues to grab headlines, even as their performance on the pitch has drawn critique. Harry Kane recently made headlines for expressing his disappointment with some teammates over national call-up issues. Despite Individual talent on the team, the collective performance has faltered, leading to calls for introspection as formations and strategies are debated among the fans and pundits alike.
It’s clear the Premier League is packed with surprises this season, and players like Calafiori, Bailey, Evanilson, Damsgaard, along with the swirling transfer rumors keep fans on the edge of their seats. With the January transfer window coming up, teams are gearing up for potential big moves, but will they find the right fit to bring home more success, or will they end up facing the regret of missed opportunities? Only time will tell, but one thing's for certain: the thrill of the game continues to enthrall.
