Defense:
Right Back: Ricardo Pereira
The Portuguese full back moved to Leicester from FC Porto for a fee of €22 million. After being one of the best right backs in Portugal, the 24 year old decided to test himself in the premier league. Initial signs show that he could become a lethal premier league fullback and the investment from Leicester will reap rich dividends. Also a Portuguese international, Pereira's journey to stardom might have just begun.
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Ricardo's lightning speed and offensive talent will serve him well in England. He is a good crosser of the ball and has close control not often found in defenders. The ex- Porto star can also be used across the right flank as a wingback as well as a winger. Jamie Vardy would undoubtedly be excited with service down the right hand side which he will receive from Perreira. While Leicester is a wonderful premier league club, chances are that one might see him end up at a club higher than the Foxes in a couple of years.
Centre Back: Sokratis Papastathopoulos
The Greek arrives from Germany to lead a new look Arsenal defense under new coach Unai Emery. Sokratis spent five fruitful years at Dortmund, establishing himself as one of the prominent central defenders in European football. He arrives in a deal worth €16 million and provides much-needed steel for the gunners at the back.
The 30-year-old has decent distribution, is a hard tackler and also a leader on the pitch. His aerial prowess will also help him while he adapts to English football. His arrival along with Lucas Torreira can potentially make this Arsenal team much more balanced than the previous seasons. The days which saw Arsenal as a team having plenty of flair with defensive frailty might be a thing of the past. Can Sokratis help Arsenal return to Uefa Champions League spots this season? We shall see.
Centre Back: Yerry Mina
The Coumbian center back's transfer to Barcelona raised some eyebrows, and with good reason. The defender struggled for playing time as he registered mere 6 appearances last season. The gulf between the quality of Umtiti and Pique and the Columbian looked quite big and he struggled to challenge for a place in the centre of defense. He somewhat redeemed his reputation with a good showing at this year's world cup by being a rock for Columbia in defense as well as scoring three goals, amazing return for a defender.
Deadline day approached in England and Everton came calling. A deal worth €30 million has now brought him to Merseyside as he seeks to reignite his club career. Fairly competent in his own box and pretty lethal in the opposite box, Yerry Mina definitely has the tools to succeed in the premier league. The 23 year old is a modern age defender with very good feet and has a big 6ft 5inch frame which will help him to deal with the most marauding of centre forwards. Moreover, his pairing with french centreback Kurt Zouma, on loan from Chelsea for the season looks promising on the paper. The lanky center back is a promising addition to the Everton roster and Marco Silva will undoubtedly be delighted to work with him.
5) Left Back: Lucas Digne
Everton have made some shrewd signings this summer, raiding talents from big clubs who were struggling for playing time. One of them is French fullback Lucas Digne. Lucas Digne joined Everton from Barcelona in a €20 million deal on a reported 5 year contract. His arrival in a way marks a change in the history of the club as club attempts to move towards becoming a European power and also a change of guard as he represents a long term replacement for the Everton legend Leighton Baines who isn't getting any younger at 33.
Digne impressed with his stint in Italy with Roma which encouraged Barcelona to move for him in 2016. Since then, he has struggled to displace Jordi Alba, though in fairness, not many can! The 25-year-old represents a good investment for Merseyside club and has all the attributes to become a top professional fullback. He represents a solid signing and with Baines as his mentor, his adjustment period in the premier league might not be very long.
