Premier League 2019/20: 5 excellent signings that have flown under the radar

#5 Philip Billing – Huddersfield to Bournemouth

Former Huddersfield star Philip Billing should add a lot of bite to Bournemouth's midfield

While Bournemouth’s defensive woes had a lot to do with their back-line being somewhat weak – outside of the fantastic Nathan Ake, that is – the truth is that Eddie Howe’s side also lacked a lot of bite from midfield. That’s why their recent signing of Huddersfield’s Philip Billing for a fee of £15m could be such a smart one.

Billing – a Danish youth international who will surely break into the full international side soon – was one of Huddersfield’s few shining lights last season as the Terriers finished bottom of the Premier League. It’s hardly a surprise to learn that Billing had the highest WhoScored.com average rating of all of Huddersfield’s squad last season, and it was always expected that he’d move back to a Premier League club in the summer.

So what can he offer Bournemouth? The likelihood is that he’ll offer a lot of protection for the Cherries’ defence, and will also provide a screen for Bournemouth’s more attacking-based midfielders like David Brooks and Ryan Fraser to deliver the goods going forward.

Comparing him to Jefferson Lerma, for instance, who was deployed largely as a deeper lying midfielder last season, Billing had a higher average rate of tackles and interceptions – and also delivered more key passes than his counterpart, all while playing for a far worse side.

At just 23 years old Billing may well still be improving, but already his blend of technical prowess and physical power make him a handful for any side that comes up against him. If he can add some steel to the Cherries’ midfield, he could prove to be the difference between a respectable 14th place finish and something a lot higher.