As the 2024/25 Premier League season approaches, anticipation is mounting among football fans and pundits alike.
This summer’s exciting pre-season schedule has provided a tantalising glimpse of what might be in store, with several players appearing to red-hot and ready to go come the first whistle of the campaign.
In this article, we highlight four individuals who have caught the eye with their pre-season displays that are poised to make a significant impact in the coming months. From emerging talents to already established stars, these players could hit the ground the running when the Premier League gets underway.
Erling Haaland – Manchester City
While Erling Haaland would have undoubtably rather have participated in the European Championships, Norway’s exclusion from the tournament meant that the Manchester City striker has had the chance to recharge his batteries.
Pep Guardiola’s defending champions are favourites in the Premier League winner odds, but Arsenal are set to mount a serious challenge for the third season in a row and City will need to be at the top of their game to fend off Mikel Arteta’s side for a record-extending fifth title.
Luckily, Haaland has been firing in the goals for the Sky Blues throughout pre-season. The 24-year-old scored in the defeats to Celtic and AC Milan, while he netted a ruthless hat-trick against Chelsea, who Man City open their season against, in a 4-2 thrashing.
Noni Madueke – Chelsea
Todd Boehly shocked Chelsea fans by sacking Mauricio Pochettino at the end of last season despite a strong finish to the campaign that saw the Blues secure European football. The decision to replace the Argentine with the lesser experienced Enzo Maresca left some scratching their heads.
A lacklustre pre-season, in which Chelsea won one of their five games at the time of writing — beating Mexican side Club America 3-0 in Atlanta — hasn’t left the Stamford Bridge faithful with much hope going into the new season, especially with their opening game against Man City.
However, the stellar performances of Noni Madueke haven’t gone unnoticed. The 22-year-old has left a lot to be desired since joining Chelsea from PSV Eindhoven. But Maresca has potentially got a tune out of him that Pochettino couldn’t, as the winger scored in three games in a row against Celtic, Man City and Real Madrid.
Morgan Rogers – Aston Villa
Unai Emery made Morgan Rogers his number one transfer target in the winter window earlier this year after the winger impressed the Spaniard in an FA Cup tie, and he got his man from Middlesbrough for £15 million just hours before the window slammed shut.
The 22-year-old went on to make 11 Premier League appearances for Aston Villa, scoring three times and providing one assist as they secured a shock Champions League place when finishing fourth behind Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool.
Rogers, who came through the youth ranks at the Etihad, made an impressive start to pre-season with two goals against Walsall and another against Trnava, while he provided an assist against Colombus Crew. The England U-21 international could be in for a big campaign.
Fabio Carvalho – Liverpool
Given the vast number of attackers Liverpool had in their squad when Fabio Carvalho moved to Anfield from Fulham two years ago, many questioned why then-Reds boss Jurgen Klopp had bothered bringing in the young winger.
He’s never really had the chance to flourish in Merseyside given the wealth of talent ahead of him in the pecking order, and spent last season out on loan at RB Leipzig and Hull City in the Championship, where he impressed with nine goals and two assists in 20 games.
Carvalho bagged big goals against Manchester United and Arsenal in pre-season. But it’s unclear if he’s going to involved for the Reds this campaign if you’re looking for a bet on Premier League
The Reds rejected a £15 millon bid for Carvalho from Southampton, but there is also reported interest from Leicester City as the Foxes look to strengthen their survival bid.
