With the Premier League set for an imminent start, there will be a number of the world’s population jumping with joy and eagerly waiting with anticipation to see their beloved football team take to the field once again.
Football can provide more to a person than just the 90 minutes that it is played on the pitch for the majority of the year. Fans can get a general happiness (or anger, depending on the result) after witnessing their side, a day out in a destination that might not have been on the cards originally, it can become a workplace topic of conversation or something that can be discussed around the pub with a few beers – once lockdown restrictions have been relaxed, of course.
One other buzz fans can get from the return of the sport is the ability to place bets and potentially win some extra money, especially if they follow the latest football tips out there!
However, the return of the football also provides players with the platform to prove a point and restart, with those that had a rather troublesome two-thirds of a campaign before it was suspended perhaps being given a second chance.
Here are three men that could make the most of the restart and an honourable mention for Paul Pogba – let’s try and get Graeme Souness off your back, Paul…
1/ Kepa Arrizabalaga
Having arrived at Chelsea for a world record transfer fee for a goalkeeper, the spotlight was always going to shine brightly on Kepa Arrizabalaga. In truth, the Spaniard has not always helped his case, though, as he famously went against Maurizio Sarri in the League Cup final and has spent time on the sidelines under Frank Lampard at points throughout the current season.
The young shot-stopper did make a return to the first-team after a spell behind Willy Caballero before the postponement and looked good, so if he can return to those types of performances (and the ones that helped the Blues achieve Champions League football last year), then maybe the transfer rumour mill will just stop turning for a bit?
2/ Felipe Anderson
Felipe Anderson was the burning enigma that West Ham United so badly needed last season, however his second year in the capital appears to have seen his flame dwindle and fail to burn as bright as we all know he can.
The Brazilian managed to bag himself 10 goals and five assists in his 40 appearances across all competitions last season as he brought his flair to the London Stadium. However, 12 months later and it appears life has got a little more difficult for him in England, as he has recorded just one goal and four assists in his 24 outings.
3/ Tanguy Ndombele
Of course, it is not unheard of to hear about a player struggling to adapt to life in a new country, and in this instance, a new league however Tanguy Ndombele just does not look to have been able to grasp anything at all.
Having signed for Tottenham Hotspur in the summer for a club-record fee, plenty would have been expected of him – especially with the highlight reels he has on YouTube. Nonetheless, he has been nothing short of disappointing. Things started brightly with Mauricio Pochettino as he bagged a goal on his Premier League debut, but has since irked Jose Mourinho as the Portuguese manager has claimed he is not fit enough. Better prove your worth quickly, Tanguy.
