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The departures of Alberto Aquilani and Robinho this summer show that high-profile, gifted footballers cannot always flourish in the Premier League. Fans, journalists and managers are divided over the time it takes for a player to adapt to the rigours of the English game. Yet the PL is still an attractive destination for huge swathes of foreign talent and for every flop there is a success story. Here are ten PL new boys to watch out for this season.

Mario Balotelli – Manchester City

Signed from Inter Milan for a fee of £22.5 million, the talented if troublesome striker will team up with Roberto Mancini for a second time. The 20-year old thoroughbred was routinely criticised by the Italian media and his team-mates for being immature and unprofessional. Patently unperturbed, Mancini believes the youngster will soon become a world class forward. ‘Super Mario’ scored on his Manchester City debut against FC Timisoara in the Europa League play-offs. Whether it is for his on or off-field antics, the Italy international will be impossible to miss.

Yaya Toure – Manchester City

David Silva, Jerome Boateng and Aleksandar Kolarov may all arguably warrant places on this list but the PL’s first £200,000-a-week player is worthy of consideration. Having moved from Barcelona to play alongside his brother Kolo, this versatile midfielder has already demonstrated his varied skills to the Eastlands crowd. Powerful, physical and technically proficient, the Ivorian has proved a handful for PL defences in recent weeks by pushing forward to support Carlos Tevez.

Chicharito – Manchester United

City’s rivals Manchester United believe they have found the signing of the summer in the form of the youthful Javier Hernandez. The Mexican international had a fantastic World Cup but was actually snapped up in April from Guadalajara. Known for his pace, skill, movement and finishing ability, he has been likened to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The Norwegian would have told him that every goal counts after his peculiar finish against Chelsea in the Community Shield.

Pablo Barrera – West Ham United

Fellow Mexican international Barrera has been the only bright note of West Ham’s worst start to a PL season. Signed from Pumas for a fee of £4 million this speedy winger glistened during the first half of West Ham’s home defeat to Bolton. Unafraid to run at players, exhibit skill and go for goal, Hammers fans will hoping that this Mexican import can improve their fortunes.

Asamoah Gyan – Sunderland

It is an old adage that you should never buy a player off the back of a good World Cup. However another player who shone in South Africa has been signed by an ambitious club. On transfer deadline day Sunderland paid in excess of £13 million for the Ghanaian striker. Gyan has moved from Ligue 1 Rennes after the departure of Kenwyne Jones and the serious injury suffered by Frazier Campbell. Gyan missed a penalty that would have taken the Black Stars to the semi-finals in South Africa but was the team’s best player of the tournament, scoring three. The 24-year old is already said to be looking forward to the Tyne-Wear derby.

Continue to Page 2 to see some more brand new foreign talent…

Hatem Ben Arfa – Newcastle United

Ben Arfa is another Ligue 1 import eagerly anticipating that fiercely contested derby. The French international has moved to St James’ Park on a season long loan from Marseille. The winger/attacker is a prodigious talent who has 8 senior caps for France and rather stereotypically went on strike from training in an attempt to force through his protracted move. Are Newcastle ready for yet another abrasive dressing room character?

Marouane Chamakh – Arsenal

The French top flight has been a fruitful source of talent this summer, particularly for Arsene Wenger who has also added Laurent Koscielny to his squad. The Moroccan striker had been linked with a move to the Emirates from some time but was made to wait until his contract with Bordeaux had expired. He scored his first PL goal with a header against Blackpool, despite missing a hatful of chances throughout that drubbing. Sporting a suspiciously oily hairstyle, Chamakh is seen as an intelligent, strong centre-forward who is aerially adept. Arsenal fans will be relieved that in the absence of Robin van Persie they will not have to solely rely on Nicklas Bendtner.

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Nikola Zigic – Birmingham City

Another striker who will undoubtedly catch the eye is Birmingham’s 6ft 8in Zigic. The 29-year old Serbian international did not have the best World Cup nor did he boast a good scoring record at Valencia. But he did prosper on loan at Racing Santander last season and subsequently made the switch to St Andrews. With his giant frame, the Serbian target man will seek to intimidate and out-muscle defences.

Raul Meireles – Liverpool

After the unsettled Javier Mascherano eventually left Anfield for the Camp Nou, Roy Hodgson did well to swiftly swoop for Porto’s Meireles. Signed for an £11.5 million fee, the player who has 38 caps for Portugal has said he is no Mascherano clone. Presumably he would not take kindly to being talked of as a replacement to Xabi Alonso either. If the combative midfielder is somewhere between the two Liverpool fans will be satisfied.

Moussa Dembele – Fulham

This Belgian winger moved from AZ Alkmaar to join Mark Hughes’ Fulham. He scored 10 and assisted many in the Dutch side’s 2008/09 title winning season. Fulham hope to have secured a bargain who can perform in the PL. He found the net in their 6-0 victory over Port Vale in the League Cup and set up both goals as Fulham drew 2-2 with Blackpool at the weekend.

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Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers has complained that his side should have picked up all three points in their fixture against QPR on Tuesday, but the match ended all square in a 1-1 draw.

Danny Graham gave the hosts the lead at the Liberty Stadium in the first half, but Jamie Mackie scored the equaliser just before the hour mark.

Rodgers feels his side did enough to win the game, and is frustrated that The Swans did not hold on for victory.

“We have dropped two points, when we are at home particularly,” Rodgers told Sky Sports.

“We normally close the game out and the manner of the goal was disappointing also. It was a long ball up the pitch which we should have dealt with.”

Rodgers believes that his team should have had a penalty when Armand Traore appeared to foul Graham in the box, and was displeased with referee Lee Probert’s performance.

“It was a clear penalty, I have had the chance to see it from a few angles and it was a definite penalty,” he continued.

“We worked the space really well, Luke Moore got into a wonderful position, Nathan Dyer has done well, Danny has bent his run superbly, got a touch and Traore has made a foul. Normally with the referee so close that’s a penalty.

“I thought it summed up Lee’s performance which was interesting to say the least.

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“He is a good lad on the circuit, trying to get experience, but he was very inconsistent right the way through, which did not help us,” Rodgers concluded.

By Gareth McKnight

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Arsenal transfer target Mamadou Sakho is now also being courted by Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish, if reports in The Daily Mail are to be believed.

Liverpool entered the race for Paris St-Germain’s 21 year old defensive rock after Manchester City emerged as the strong favourites for Liverpool target Gary Cahill. Bolton’s huge asking price of £20 million is also likely to deter the Reds.

Former French U21 captain Sakho has now broken into the senior squad and his tough tackling and tireless work rate would be a welcome addition to Liverpool’s backline. Senegalese born Sakho can also fill in at left back and the Parisian’s asking price is likely to be significantly less than the fee the Trotters will demand for Cahill.

Sakho has played in the Europa League with PSG and after winning his first International cap against England recently he has the potential to be an astute piece of business. Liverpool are likely to face stiff competition from the Gunners in any attempt to bring Sakho to Anfield. Liverpool owner John Henry has already shown with the purchase of Andy Carroll that he isn’t afraid to splash the cash, so if it comes down to a bidding war Liverpool should come out on top.

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Manchester City will have to be more successful this season than they were last, that is if Roberto Mancini wishes to retain his job. Although fifth place was the club’s highest finish in the Premier League yet, there was a sense of disappointment around Eastlands as they failed to grab a Champions League place. Sheikh Mansour and his cohorts invested a lot of money in the club last season, under the proviso that they would get into the Champions League and would thus be able to attract the world’s best players as Chelsea had done when Roman Abramovich took over. Had Mancini been City’s manager at the start of the season, he would undoubtedly have been fired. But having already gotten rid of Mark Hughes, the Man City heirarchy would have risked their reputation had they sacked two managers in one season. This year however, Roberto Mancini starts the season as manager, and he will take ultimate responsibility for the club’s fortunes. If he does not bring success to Manchester City after a huge summer spending spree, there will be nowhere to hide for the Italian and he will not last if he is not successful. But what exactly will the Man City owners, and fans expect of their club this season?

Fundamentally, what Manchester City desire is Champions League football. This will be seen by the club’s owners as a minimum requirement this season. The fans will have more patience, but given the amount of quality players Mancini has at his disposal they will be expectant too. There is an outside chance of Man City challenging for the Premier League title this season, but it is a lack of Champions League football that is currently holding them back from mounting a serious challenge. Being in the Champions League brings kudos and money into a club, and it is also a major attraction for possible transfer targets. When a club starts playing Champions League football, the calibre of players it can attract is greatly increased, until then Manchester City will find it difficult to be regarded as one of the top European sides, and as a result will find it hard to sign the very top names. Who knows how the Kaka deal may have panned out had Man City been playing Champions League football. This makes a place in the top four absolutely necessary if Man City are to progress and become a major force in English football, and the owners will be more than aware of this fact.

Having not tasted any silverware for many years, Manchester City supporters will also be keen for the club to end their long trophy drought. City have not won a major honour since their League Cup triumph in 1976, 34 years ago. If Roberto Mancini and his players really want to endear themselves to the fans, then picking up a trophy would go a long way towards doing this. Winning the league title is unlikely, but Man City are more than capable of winning the FA Cup or the Carling Cup. In fact I am making them my early prediction to lift the Carling Cup this season. Although it is not the most important of competitions, victory in either this or he FA Cup would give the club a massive boost, and could play a big part in pushing them on to greater things. This season for Manchester City, the minimum requirement is Champions League football, and this will be their primary goal; if Mancini could win a cup tournament along the way, he would be firmly embedded in City hearts.

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Dennis Tueart is one of football’s most forthright and eloquent characters, and his long-awaited autobiography is the refreshingly honest story of his days as a flying left-winger with Sunderland, Manchester City, the New York Cosmos and England.Typically candid in his views on his career, his clubs and his team-mates, Tueart recalls his spell at Sunderland in detail – from his early days under inspirational manager Alan Brown to the famous Wembley triumph in 1973 when the city was brought to a standstill and Bob Stokoe and his men returned home to a red and white heroes’ welcome after achieving one of the most sensational FA Cup final triumphs of all time.http://www.youtube.com/v/lDvFHLm5RMo?version=3&hl=en_USAs well as Dennis’s reflections on his football journey, and his forceful views on Manchester City and the game itself, the book is also packed with great stories – from the Sunderland training session which involved the defenders heading golf balls, to a tour to the Far East with City when Asa Hartford offered to help stretcher him off then promptly dropped him. At the New York Cosmos – who had signed him to replace none other than Pelé during the razzmatazz heyday of the North American Soccer League, and for whom he starred alongside Franz Beckenbauer and Carlos Alberto – he rubbed shoulders with icons of showbiz and sport like Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall, Rod Stewart and Bjorn Borg.Offering an intelligent insight into the world of football from the perspective of both a player and a club director, Dennis Tueart: My Football Journey is a powerful and entertaining story of the Sunderland cup final hero, Manchester City legend and one of the game’s most opinionated and enduring personalities.All Dennis’s royalties from the sale of this book will go to the teenage and young adult cancer unit at The Christie cancer centre in ManchesterAbout the authorBorn in Newcastle but considered too small to play for his hometown club, Dennis Tueart was snapped up by local rivals Sunderland, with whom he sensationally won the FA Cup in 1973 against the mighty Leeds. He signed for Manchester City as the iconic Bell/Summerbee/Lee era came to a close, famously firing the Sky Blues to League Cup glory in 1976 with the overhead kick pictured on the cover of this book. In 1978 he was signed by the New York Cosmos to replace arguably the world’s greatest ever footballer, Pelé.He returned to City in 1980, eventually playing 268 competitive games and scoring 108 goals for the club he continues to follow, and later played briefly for Stoke, Burnley and Derry City. After hanging up his boots, he forged a successful career in business, one that he combined with his nine years as a director of Manchester City between 1997 and 2007.He now continues to run a successful conferencing business, Premier Events, and still follows City from his executive box at the Etihad Stadium.

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Having been appointed official captain of England, after temporarily sharing the honour with David Platt, Tony Adams led his country through an international tournament to the semi-final stage, a feat which has not since been replicated by any of his successors. Speaking on Glenn Hoddle’s decision to strip Adams of the armband in favour of Alan Shearer, the ex-Arsenal skipper conceded to a fans’ forum in 2008: “I have some resentment over the way Glenn Hoddle gave the captaincy to Alan Shearer instead of me but I can let that go. I reacted positively.” Although Adams’ attitude following the change was never questioned, England, spearheaded by Shearer, crashed out of France ’98 less than two years later in the first knock-out round.

Fast-forward to February 2010 and yet another England captaincy reshuffle. On this occasion, John Terry, denounced for his off-field misdemeanors, was removed as captain following a close association with what most regard as one of the lowest periods in the national team’s history. That said, Terry’s leadership qualities and status as one of Europe’s finest centre-backs never weakened. Since his initial appointment back in August 2006, Terry had guided Chelsea to two FA Cup triumphs, one Carling Cup, a Champions’ League final and been selected in UEFA’s Team of the Year on three occasions.

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The features which define Terry; his strength of character and ability to motivate others, should have surpassed his relationship with Wayne Bridge’s ex-girlfriend as justification for remaining captain. Unfortunately for Terry, Bridge’s position within the England set-up forced Capello to make a decision he otherwise shouldn’t have. It seems unlikely that Terry would have been punished to such an extent had it not been a relationship with a team mate’s girlfriend in question.

Capello, stirred by a widespread roasting of Terry in the media, opted to promote Rio Ferdinand to full-time captain, before reinstating Terry just over a year later. The Italian’s handling of the captaincy situation has come under heavy criticism, but for Capello, and perhaps more importantly, the England team as a whole, the means justify the ends. During the thirteen months Ferdinand was captain, England competed in thirteen matches with the Manchester United defender completing 90 minutes just twice; the unconvincing World Cup warm-up friendly against Japan and the goalless yawn-fest at Wembley against Montenegro last October.

What’s more, the most expensive British defender in history has had little impact on England’s more promising conquests since the capitulation in South Africa last summer, most notably away wins in Switzerland and Denmark, Ferdinand being absent for both. Whilst it remains to be seen whether Ferdinand will react to Capello’s change of heart in the same manner Adams did nearly a decade and a half ago, the decision to reinstate Terry has come at the right time, as England’s European Championship Qualification bid progresses from its earliest phase.

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Capello will struggle to ever convince England fans of his man-management methods, this latest episode providing more evidence of his inability to keep the peace. But, having originally stated his indifference to the significance of the captain’s role – Italians traditionally awarding the responsibility to the squad’s oldest player – his reassessment should be vindicated, provided he stands by his captain this time round in spite of future offences Terry is likely to be accused of.

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At Everton, Steven Pienaar and Mikel Arteta are given freedom to express themselves. David Moyes has moulded his team over his tenure at Goodison Park into a balanced, competitive outfit. To match the creativity and guile of Pienaar and Arteta, the likes of Neville and Fellaini add the extra bite. Regardless of of who plays at the back – Yobo, Jagielka, Heitinga, Distin etc – there is an organisation that exists throughout. Everton have a lot of good players, and because of the fact that the club isn’t in the upper echelons, those players are always susceptible to rumours of bigger deals elsewhere.

Everton have struggled to make the inroads that Villa, Man City and Spurs have managed over the last few seasons because they simply don’t have the money to compete. David Moyes has to be certain in the transfer market because his board cannot afford expensive mistakes (think James Beattie). It’s not that Moyes has no money to spend, the likes of Fellaini, Saha and Yakubu didn’t arrive for nothing, but in terms of offering big contracts, and trying to match other clubs over transfer fees, then they are more limited than their rivals. If a bigger club come calling, it can be difficult to fend them off, case in point – Joleon Lescott. The biggest help Everton can get, is the commitment of the player them self.

Mikel Arteta and Steven Pienaar have both been linked with bigger clubs, most notably Arsenal, but would it really be the right move for them? Would Steven Pienaar get 40 games a season at Arsenal when competing for places with Arshavin, Nasri, Rosicky and Walcott? What he has at Everton may be very difficult to recreate elsewhere. Understandably, players want to play for as bigger club as possible; it takes a brave person to turn down a move to a big club and the chance of proving them self on a higher stage. Understanding that you have a good thing and not being greedy, balanced with the lure of trophies and success at the risk of a lack of games, is a difficult thing to come to terms with. For some it pays off, for others it can be years in the wilderness.

Louis Saha, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Scott Parker are players who moved to bigger clubs only to find that maybe it was a step too far. All have moved on from those transfers with varying success, but how different would their careers have been if they had stayed put. Then again, if Man Utd want you, how do you say no? It has happened to Everton before, Duncan Ferguson and Francis Jeffers both moved to bigger clubs only to find their career hit a stumbling block. Francis Jeffers is currently on trial at Blackpool, what would be his eighth club in the nine years since he left Goodison. Leaving Everton for a bigger club, for Jeffers, was a gamble that failed to pay off.

Players can spend entire careers trying to find a club that fits them; Craig Bellamy, Marcus Bent or Peter Crouch for example. Pienaar and Arteta have found their club. They are adored by Toffee fans, their team plays a brand of football that suits them, they are integral members of a squad that competes with the top teams in the country and enjoys European football. Everton have helped raise the profile of both players, considered far better than the ones that arrived at the club, and in response, the midfielders should realise they are part of a good thing. For fans of any club, it would be sad to see them have to start from scratch somewhere else, than continue to blossom at home.

Click on image to see a gallery of the BEST BABES at the World Cup this summer

Chelsea target Neymar has ended transfer speculation for the time being by signing a new contract at current club Santos.

The Brazil international has shot to worldwide fame over the last 12 months after impressive performances for club and country, and has been heavily linked with a move to Europe.

With Chelsea, Barcelona and Real Madrid all seemingly ready to pay the striker’s €45 million buy-out clause, the Copa Libertadores holders have moved to keep their star man in South America.

It has been revealed that the attacker has received a substantial increase in wages to stay at Vila Belmiro, and his buy out clause has now also been increased.

“Neymar is happy to be able to remain with Santos until at least 2014, after that he will decide where to go,” the starlet’s agent Wagner Ribiero confirmed to Lance.

Santos president Luiz Alfaro Ribeiro de Oliveira admitted that the forward’s buy-out clause had been increased but would not reveal what to.

The Brazilian executive also stated that the length of Neymar’s new deal matched his previous contract, which expires in June 2015.

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By Gareth McKnight

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Last week Tottenham agreed to a sponsorship deal with American sports brand Under Armour. The deal will see them replace Puma as the shirt manufacturer for the 2012/13 season. It might seem like it a boring subject, but there are some interesting points to discuss.

As an American brand, and a relatively unknown one in Europe, Under Armour was keen to secure the sponsorship of Tottenham to raise their brand awareness. For this reason, they are apparently paying £10m a year, for the rights to make Tottenham’s training kit and replica shirts. This is twice the figure that Deloitte reported Puma to be paying for the same rights.

However, being a big American company on a mission of expansion, Under Armour will want to make a big impression. Here are three ways they might try to be different, and the reasons that Under Armour could split the opinion of the fans.

Firstly, Under Armour currently makes the kit for football clubs Hannover 96 and Estudiantes Tecos (Mexico). One thing to note about these kits is that they are both tight fitting around the chest. Tottenham fans might, here, think back to the Kappa kit of the 2005/06 season. While this looks great on a professional athlete, it doesn’t on the average football fan.

Secondly, the kits are innovative and not classic, with big blocks of colour contrasting each other. The colours that have been used so far for Hannover are new and futuristic opposed to classic shades. Estudiantes’ deal with Under Armour coincided with a rebranding of their club. This saw them change their club kit colours from White and Red to ‘Wine and Yellow’ with Under Armour. (Their new kit is pictured above). I hope Tottenham do not follow that path. I was never a massive fan of the yellow trim on the kit and I think a Tottenham kit should be a simple Lilywhite and Blue.

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Thirdly, Under Armour produces American Football kits which feature the ‘E39’ technology. Basically, the shirts are fitted with a micro chip that is able to record heart-rate, body temperature and other vital statistics. Furthermore, it allows a coach to see exactly how fast a player is moving, how quickly they change direction and how many yards they cover during a game.

This helps managers in their analysis of players and also helps them in deciding substitutions. In football this information would allow viewers to know just how high Rooney’s heart rate is when he screams at a referee, or just how cool Berbatov is in front of goal.

Personally, I think that is ridiculous. It is invasive and unnecessary. It is an example of the extent of corporate influence in sport in America. I hope Tottenham don’t use it and I hope it doesn’t catch on in the Premiership. It would just be a distraction to the beautiful game.

I just hope Under Armour don’t try too hard to promote their brand before that of Tottenham. Most importantly, I hope Under Armour stick to the basics of making a football kit. Sadly, they have not done that so far and are unlikely to do it now.

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But all in all, I don’t have a massive problem with the new sponsors as it is a good way for Tottenham to increase their revenue. If Under Armour are willing to pay £10m a year, that is a good thing. This will give the club more money to spend and shows that Tottenham, as a club, is becoming a bigger brand.

What do Tottenham fans make of the new deal with Under Armour? You can let me know at www.twitter.com/joeaustin8

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Fulham have vowed to appoint a new manager "in the soonest timeframe possible" after being knocked back by Martin Jol.

Jol rejected the chance to replace Roy Hodgson in the Craven Cottage hot-seat on Thursday in order to stay in charge of Ajax.

The former Tottenham boss had agreed personal terms with the Cottagers but has decided to remain in his native Netherlands.

Fulham have been without a manager since Hodgson left to take over at Liverpool at the beginning of July and Jol had been the number one choice for the job.

However, chief executive Alistair Mackintosh must go back back to the drawing board and the club has issued a statement stressing their insistence in making the right appointment.

"When Fulham commenced negotiations with Martin Jol, the club was informed that an exit clause existed in his contract with Ajax," it read.

"Subsequent negotiations revealed that the clause was no longer valid and Ajax remained steadfast in their desire to keep their manager, therefore dialogue between the two clubs has now ended.

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"Since Roy Hodgson indicated that he wanted to leave Fulham, a short list of potential managers was identified, and the club is committed to ensuring that the right candidate is brought on board to continue the club's progress, in the soonest timeframe possible."

Caretaker manager Ray Lewington will remain in charge of first-team affairs but a host of candidates, led by Cardiff City boss Dave Jones and former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, are now back in the frame.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email