Five new arrivals that are set to take the Serie A by storm

A whole host of new signings along with the old stars such as Francesco Totti promise to make this year’s Serie A a treat for fans (Getty Images)

All these years, Italy has played feeder to other more prominent leagues in Europe, namely the Premier League and La Liga. Having helplessly watched players come and go, the Serie A is set to come to life this season with a host of top signings.

Not long ago, Serie A clubs AC Milan, Internazionale and Juventus used to rule the roost in Europe and the Francesco Totti-led AS Roma had a vigour of their own. But as it stands, there has been a huge dip in the standards of the league which is reflected in their European performance with the treble winning 2010 Inter Milan side being an exception.

The likes of Andriy Shevchecnko and Kaka left Milan, followed by Inter losing their prized assets in Wesley Snejder, Samuel Eto’o and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who formed an integral part of the treble-winning side. One of the top defenders in the world in Thiago Silva, too headed for greener pastures and a heftier paycheck.

Serie A has never been known for record signings and the clubs haven’t spent big, settling for mediocrity instead. But, this season has brought with it a breath of fresh air, a new lease of life for the Italy’s top league; well at least that’s the superficial impression that one gets from the outside. There are signs of the Serie A regaining its lost sheen.

Though the Serie A lost some of its biggest assets in Edinson Cavani and Stevan Jovetic for a combined fee of €90 million, the likes of Gonzalo Higuain, Carlos Tevez, Fernando Llorente and Mario Gomez have more or less made up for it for a much lesser €65 million. As Gazzetta Dello Sport put it magnificently- that’s replacing 216 goals with 640 and a profit of something close to €30 million.

Here’s a look at the signings that have the potential to set the Serie A alight:

1. Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli)

Gonzalo Higuain rejected Arsenal in order to move from Real Madrid to Napoli this summer (Getty Images)

After having virtually sealed a move to the Emirates, Higuain finally ended up in a blue shirt at Italian powerhouse Napoli. The Naples outfit marked the beginning of the new era under manager Rafael Benitez by snapping up a prized asset in Higuain.

Known more as a percentage player thanks to his impeccable stats, Higuain converted 33.3% of the shots he took, far better than his fellow compatriots in the same position. Higuain has been known as goal poacher for his clinical finishing and is set to strike up a lethal partnership with the likes of Marek Hamsik, Goran Pandev, Jose Callejon and Dries Mertens.

Higuain has certainly added a cutting edge to the Serie A outfit and with his experience of playing at Real Madrid and for Argentina, the 25-year-old is not only a valuable addition to the team, but also to the league as a whole. And having already opened his scoring in a Napoli shirt in a pre-season friendly against Benfica, Higuain has shown early signs of things to come. Higuain is certainly Arsenal’s loss and Napoli’s gain.

2. Mario Gomez (Fiorentina)

The Serie A’s style and pace could suit former Bayern Munich forward Mario Gomez who has now joined Fiorentina (Getty Images)

Having already captured the imagination of Italy with their brand of football last season, Fiorentina are set for an even more exciting campaign this term. Apart from the on-field brilliance, the Serie A outfit have arguably stolen the limelight again this summer with their transfer activity, scalping a talented trio of Josip Ilicic, Joaquin and their very own ‘Super Mario’ Gomez.

Despite having won it all with Bayern last year, the 28-year-old fell down the pecking order with the arrival of new coach Pep Guardiola ready to offload the tall and lanky German. The move to Florence represents a fresh start for the striker, and with his abilities and the style of play in Italy quite suited to him, the striker is likely to pounce on the opportunity to make an impression with a good four to five years of football left in him.

Vincenzo Montella has at his disposal a midfield boasting of some of the most creative talents with the likes of Borja Valero and David Pizzarro. Combined with the craft of Giuseppe Rossi, Adem Ljajic and Joaquin, Gomez could prove to be the signing of the summer with his goal-poaching abilities.

3. Fernando Llorente (Juventus)

Former Athletic Bilbao front-man Fernando Llorente will lend some much needed firepower to Juventus (Getty Images)

It was not very long ago that Athletic Bilbao valued the striker at €35 million and teams in Europe were ready to shell out that kind of money. But time passed, no deal was struck and in what was a massive coup this summer, Fernando Llorente went for free to the Old Lady.

There is no denial that the Spain international’s form has dipped, but it’s just a matter of time before the 28-year-old recreates the magic and gets back to scoring big-time.

Paired alongside Carlos Tevez to lead the Juventus attack and backed by the midfield duo of Pirlo and Vidal, Llorente’s purple patch doesn’t seem too far away.

With 118 goals in 333 appearances for his club and the national team, Llorente boasts of a decent record and with him touching 28, an age strikers relish, much can be expected of the Spain forward.

4. Carlos Tevez (Juventus)

Juventus could be Carlos Tevez’s final professional club (Getty Images)

Carlos Tevez had a roller coaster ride in the Premier League and bowed out as a rare name to have played for both the Manchester outfits. Feeling uneasy in England during his spell at Manchester City, Tevez was slated for a move away last term, but then manager Roberto Mancini managed to keep hold of the fiery striker. But this summer finally saw the Argentine part ways and seale a move to Juventus for a reported fee of €9 million.

The Argentine recently freed himself of national duties, announcing his retirement from the Argentine team, deeming it to be a story of the past.

The 29-year-old has now concentrated his energy and focus on the league and this would certainly be good news for Juventus with Tevez aiming to be on a high having quit from the national team and an impending retirement from club football as well.

Having 198 goals to his credit in the 453 games, Tevez would be eyeing the 200 mark and that too in a hurry. With Juventus boasting of a strong midfield, Tevez will surely not be devoid of any supply and it remains to be seen how well Tevez adapts to life in Italy- more off the field than on it.

5. Kevin Strootman (AS Roma)

AS Roma picked up one of the most promising young midfielders in the world in Kevin Strootman (Getty Images)

Another big name to have graced the Serie A this summer is Dutch midfielder Kevin Strrotman. The midfielder has 21 goals to his credit in the 187 games played and has created a whole lot more, fully justifying his €17 million price-tag.

The former PSV Eindhoven midfielder arrives in the capital after an impressive spell in Holland which saw him capture the attention of several European giants. However, the Giallorossi beat their competitors to his signature. Roma would be looking to make quick amends after a disappointing campaign last season, and the acquisition of the Dutchman will only help further.

Roma are expected to field an exciting midfield trio of Daniele De Rossi and Miralem Pjanic, with Totti leading the line in what is expected to be his last spell in a Roma shirt. All the Roma faithful would be hoping Strootman can power them to silverware this season with the Totti era ending on a high.

Technically gifted and at ease with the ball at his feet, expect the 23-year-old to continue his development into one of the best midfielders in Europe over the coming years.