The New Boys

By Joe Radford | 13th August 2008

The New Boys | read this item

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Every year sees an influx of foreign players hailing from a wide variety of countries into the Premier league, whether its Africa, South America or Europe. This year has been no exception, and Premiership Talk look into what the top new foreign players have to offer this coming season.

Luka Modric
After a lengthy pursuit for the 22 year olds signature, Tottenham came out victorious, having splashed out a massive £16.5 million pounds on the Croat. In coming to England, every player has alot to live up to, and many can crumble under the pressure of the British media, especially with a pricey transfer figure looming upon you. Take Shevchenko for example, an undoubted success in Serie A, but after a £30 million pound move could only manage a mere 9 goals for the Blues. I have to say, Luka Modric does not seem to be taking that route in English football. It was no surprise top clubs where chasing him, after an impressive Euro 2008 campaign. Ramos is hoping he can add a whole new dimension and flair to the midfield, and if he can pull that off, it will only enhance the performance of Dimitar Berbatov, who will be looking to thrive off the balls Modric supplies. Modric also offers versatility. He is more than comfortable playing anywhere across the midfield, and can use both feet so is suited to either wing. He is no stranger to the role filling the gap just behind two front men, an option Ramos may look to exercise. Having signed a six-year deal with Spurs, fans can expect a long and successful time with Luka Modric.

Deco
Despite playing in a similar role to Modric, Deco comes from a completely different background, which means most Premier League watchers know just what to expect from the 30 year old. Many see the experienced flair player as the “bargain of the summer”, at a tiny sum of £8 million pounds(Tiny when it comes to Chelsea anyway). The Portuguese midfielder has worked closely with manager Scolari in his time at Portugal, and the new manager will be spoiled for choice in the middle of the park. Lampard, Mikel, Cole, Essien and Ballack will all prove stern competition for Deco, not to mention the likes of Malouda and Wright-Phillips who will also be looking to hold a first-team place down this season. This means Deco will be far from guaranteed a first team place at Stamford Bridge, and will have to prove his world-class credentials to beat off such fierce competition. With Lampard, Ballack and Essien all firm fan favorites at Chelsea, Deco may have to settle for a place on the wing. This should be no problem for a man of his quality, and may benefit Chelsea in terms of width, and Drogba can expect a lot more airborne crosses coming his way.

Samir Nasri
Arsenal have continued to acquire new youngsters from overseas, and may have picked quite a gem in French wonder kid Samir Nasri. Despite been at the tender age of just 21, Nasri has pursued his encouraging international career through all ranks and has managed to hold down a first team place in the National squad, which is no easy task by all means. The midfielder enjoyed a four year spell at previous employers Marseille , making 121 appearances. Over recent years, it has been no hidden secret Arsenal have lacked severely on the right hand side of midfield, and the long wait for a pacey winger may be over for Gunners fans, with Nasri been in the perfect mould of fitting that bill. He has gained a reputable name for himself regarding exceptional passing skills, and is able to find a man at ease. The Frenchman is also deadly from the dead ball scenario, so don’t be surprised if Nasri adds a few goals to his tally this season. His chances of him playing a key role in Arsenals campaign are somewhat unknown, and having arrived at the same time as fellow youngster Aaron Ramsey, competition for places will also be tough at the Emirates. Only time will tell if Nasri can follow in the footsteps of the many young Arsenal success stories such as Cesc Fabregas.

Bosingwa
Another Portuguese acquisition from Scolari comes in the form of Jose Bosingwa. In terms of his international career, the wing back is a late-developer, after he was first noticed just last year. Despite his late recognition, Bosingwa has already managed 18 caps for Portugal. The arrival of Bosingwa came as a surprise to many Chelsea fans, especially at the price of £16.3 million pounds. With Belletti and Ferreira already employed in that position, it seemed a right-back was the least of Chelsea’s worries. None the less, his arrival and Euro 2008 campaign has impressed Blues fans, and the defence at Stamford Bridge will certainly be a force to be reckoned with, even more so than in previous years. The 25 year old plays in exactly the style of play you’d expect from a continental right-back, and shows no hesitation in overlapping his winger and offer support to the attack. He is renowned for his blistering pace and was quickly a fans favorite at FC Porto, where he managed 105 appearances. Although i see Bosingwa as a world-class player, he would not be my pick out of the foreign new boys. I may be proved wrong, but for a fee of the extent, did Chelsea need to improve in that area?

Jô
Manchester City wasted no time in enhancing their front line, and immediately snapped up Jô from CSKA Moscow for an undisclosed fee thought to be in the region of £20 million pounds. Jô is without doubt a player who knows where the net is, and could prove to be invaluable to Mark Hughes’ troops this season. He is expected form a terrifying strike-partnership with Benjani, and the two could become deadly given the correct supply. Despite standing tall at 6″2, Jô carries an immense amount of pace, and is no stranger to penetrating the back line with piercing runs. His skill and ability is backed up by his convincing goal record with the Russian giants, in which he scored 30 goals in just 53 appearances. Jô has a brilliant future ahead of him at just 21. Last year, he received his first Brazil call up, and has already got his goal scoring tally underway at this years Olympics. His call up to the Olympics means he will miss the opening game of the season for City, but is bound to return from Beijing ready and raring to go.

So there are no arguments about the new talent the Premiership has to offer this season, and all eyes will be cast upon these new hopefuls, all looking to make a success of themselves on the biggest stage of them all.