Breakthrough Premier League stars of the season

The Premier League has become the best league to attract star talent. Here’s a look at some of the new players making their mark this season.

Jeremy Doku – Manchester City

It takes a lot to walk into the Manchester City squad as an attacking midfielder and make an instant impression amid that embarrassment of riches.

In Jeremy Doku, they have clearly found a player who not only shines in a game, but helps his teammates shine too.

City’s game against Bournemouth showcased this perfectly when Doku scored and also contributed an astonishing total of four assists in a 6-1 win for the defending champions.

At just 21 years of age, Doku could be terrorising Premier League defenders for many years to come.

Moussa Diaby – Aston Villa

Unai Emery can’t seem to put a foot wrong as Aston Villa manager and by bringing in Moussa Diaby, he’s successfully added another string to the bow of a dangerous attack.

The two had worked together in the past when they were at PSG and when the opportunity came to sign the Frenchman from Bayer Leverkusen, Emery made sure he took it, even if it meant breaking Villa’s transfer record.

Diaby started repaying the fee right from his debut by scoring a goal against Newcastle. Two more goals and three assists later, it’s clear that he’s already become a vital part of an already impressive Aston Villa team.

Ansu Fati - Brighton

It feels like a long time ago when a teenage Ansu Fati made such an impact at Barcelona - it's hard to believe that he’s only 21.

While he’s had his injury problems in the last few seasons, it seems like Brighton have done extremely well to introduce him to the Premier League, even if the loan deal only lasts one season.

His ability as a footballer has never been in question and it didn’t take him long for him to showcase his skills in England. He’s scored against Manchester City and Aston Villa, arguably two of the hardest opponents Brighton have faced so far in this campaign.

When you factor in the two goals he’s scored in the Europa League, there’s a good argument that says the loan deal has already paid for itself.

Cole Palmer – Manchester City

Technically, Cole Palmer has been a Premier League player for a couple of seasons, but it’s only been at Chelsea that he’s been given something that resembles an extended first-team run.

Palmer isn’t the first good young player who couldn’t quite break into the Manchester City lineup and he won’t be the last. Mauricio Pochettino has a proven track record of working with young players so it’s not surprising that he’s benefitting under his tutelage.

Chelsea’s last game against Manchester City gave Palmer the satisfaction of scoring against his old club. The fact that he stepped up as a young man to take that penalty late in the game says a lot about his temperament.

He’s now been rewarded with a call-up to the England national squad. Watch this space as he develops.

Simon Adingra - Brighton

There are plenty of African players who are shining in the Premier League and the latest to make the continent proud is the Ivorian Simon Adingra.

He broke through as a professional in Denmark, spent last season on loan in Belgium and has looked prepared for the new challenges facing him in England.

He marked his Brighton debut off the bench with a goal against Luton. He followed that up with an assist in his first start for the club against Manchester United. He also picked up a memorable goal against Liverpool and opened the scoring in his last game against Sheffield United.

As a club that has that look of being a new kid on the block, Brighton should offer the perfect environment for Adingra to prosper.

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