Ahead of the start of the season, Adrian Clarke looks at the players who missed the majority of the last campaign and can have a big impact in 2024/25.
Defenders
Jurrien Timber (Arsenal)
Mikel Arteta never settled on a regular left-back last season, but that spot in Arsenal’s starting XI should have Timber’s name on it for 2024/25.
The versatile Netherlands international was outstanding in pre-season last summer, displaying solid defensive skills and top-class distribution from an inverted full-back position.
An Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury just 50 minutes into his Premier League debut wrecked his campaign, with the Dutchman only returning for the last 21 minutes on the final day of the season.
William Saliba, Gabriel and Ben White all avoided serious injuries, missing just three matches between them. If Arsenal aren't as fortunate in that regard this time around, Timber will prove to be invaluable to his manager.
The 23-year-old is comfortable operating in any position across the backline, and can cover for any of that outstanding trio.
Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa)
Unai Emery will be delighted to welcome centre-back Mings back into the fold as Aston Villa juggle a busy domestic and European schedule in 2024/25.
He may not find it easy to dislodge impressive left-footed centre-half Pau Torres, but Mings' dominance in the air, reading of the game, and ability to cover at left-back is sure to put him in contention for game time.
Mings featured for just 31 minutes of 2023/24 after injuring his ACL against Newcastle United in the opening weekend of 2023/24, but some of his numbers from the previous campaign compare favourably with those who played so well in Villa’s superb fourth-placed finish.
Villa defenders per 90
| Player | Clearances | Headed clearances | Interceptions | Aerials won |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diego Carlos | 3.88 | 1.74 | 0.65 | 1.09 |
| Clement Lenglet | 3.66 | 2.1 | 0.55 | 1.17 |
| Pau Torres | 2.1 | 1.1 | 0.51 | 0.84 |
| Ezri Konsa | 1.99 | 0.85 | 0.82 | 0.88 |
| Tyrone Mings (22/23) | 4.51 | 2.54 | 1.54 | 1.77 |
In moments where they are put under pressure and asked to defend their own penalty area, Mings is arguably Villa’s best defender.
Max Aarons (Bournemouth)
Whenever he was available, AFC Bournemouth right-back Aarons consistently featured for Andoni Iraola, so he could be a key man in 2024/25. The former Norwich City star’s sense of adventure is well suited to the Spaniard’s positive tactical mindset.
Unfortunately, Aarons suffered hamstring issues during his debut campaign on the south coast, meaning he missed 18 Premier League matches during two prolonged spells on the sidelines.
He injects forward momentum by looking to take his opponents on, and as shown below, his ball-winning qualities also outshone right-back rival Adam Smith last season.
Valentin Barco (Brighton)
After joining from Boca Juniors in January, Argentina Under-20 star Barco had limited game time at Brighton & Hove Albion, but the gifted left-back has enormous scope for development this season.
The 19-year-old is comfortable on the ball, is able to invert into central areas and can push on down the wing. He has all the tools to have a bright future.
His second-half cameo against Chelsea in Brighton’s penultimate match of the season was extremely impressive.
Barco was everywhere, always looking to switch play or feed crosses into the area, and enjoyed 70 touches in only 45 minutes.
Do not be surprised if new head coach Fabian Hurzeler uses him in several positions during 2024/25.
Rico Henry (Brentford)
A number of factors were likely to blame for Brentford’s points tally dropping from 59 to 39 last season - and the absence of left-back Henry was certainly one of those.
The 26-year-old always looks to put his foot in for a challenge and is a bundle of energy. His ACL injury last September was a hammer blow for Thomas Frank. The balance Henry supplied from the left was difficult to replace in the remaining 33 matches.
In 2022/23, when Henry made 37 starts, the Bees kept 12 clean sheets and restricted opponents to one goal or fewer in 26 contests.
In the 33 matches he missed, Brentford produced just six shutouts, while a maximum of one goal was leaked in 16 contests.
Aaron Hickey (Brentford)
Frank will be thrilled to have Scotland international Hickey available again, following a serious hamstring injury that has kept him out since the end of October.
The combative 22-year-old is equally comfortable as a right or left-back, so when he is fully fit Hickey is sure to provide his manager with useful tactical options.
Brentford were averaging 1.33 points per match (ppm) until Hickey picked up his muscle problem, and in the remaining 29 Premier League matches they could not replicate that level, dipping to 0.93 ppm.
Given his versatility, reliability and being young enough to improve, the 2024/25 campaign should see Hickey revive his top-flight career.
Wesley Fofana (Chelsea)
Central defender Fofana will feel like a new signing at Stamford Bridge when he returns from a long-term ACL injury this summer.
The 23-year-old Frenchman joined from Leicester City in August 2022 but has made just 12 Premier League starts in two seasons.
Chelsea failed to settle on a regular centre-back partnership last season, with none of the five players they used able to deliver consistent displays.
The Blues conceded two or more goals in 20 of their 38 matches, so they will need Fofana’s intelligence and pace to help them improve that record.
Thiago Silva’s departure paves the way for his comeback, and his quality on the ball will suit Enzo Maresca’s style of play.
During 2022/23, Fofana’s pass accuracy was an impressive 89.8 per cent, a strength that will adhere him to the new head coach.
Reece James (Chelsea)
A recurring hamstring problem means James has been named in Chelsea’s starting XI in just a quarter of Chelsea’s Premier League matches since the start of 2022/23.
The right-back now has stiff competition due to the form of Malo Gusto, but when fit and available, James has a proven track record of delivering terrific passes into the danger zone.
James' attacking stats per 90 last three seasons
| Statistic | 2021/2022 | 2022/23 | 2023/24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open-play crosses | 3.62 | 4.2 | 5.34 |
| Chelsea rank | 2nd | 2nd | 1st |
| Succ. open-play crosses | 0.82 | 0.87 | 1.5 |
| Chelsea rank | 1st | 2nd | 1st |
| Passes played into box | 7.05 | 6.58 | 5.13 |
| Chelsea rank | 3rd | 2nd | 4th |
During his 10 appearances last season (five from the bench) James averaged over five open-play crosses per 90 minutes, which is over two more than Gusto. No one at Stamford Bridge came close to delivering 1.5 successful crosses a game either.
The service he will provide for Chelsea’s strikers could be a game changer once he has served his early season suspension.
Lisandro Martinez (Man Utd)
Since the turn of the year Manchester United are unbeaten in eight matches in all competitions when Martinez has started. That run features six wins, including a famous FA Cup final triumph against Manchester City.
This more than respectable record will excite United supporters, as well as head coach Erik ten Hag, who sorely missed the leadership and nous of his Argentinian defender last season.
Martinez will be eager to shine in 2024/25 now that he has recovered from the foot, knee and calf problems which have blighted him since April 2023, and restricted him to just eight Premier League starts last season.
His experience and aggression should make a Man Utd side that conceded a record 58 league goals last season, much harder to breach.
Luke Shaw (Man Utd)
Man Utd are a far more balanced side when Shaw occupies the left-back spot in their starting XI. After missing 26 of 38 Premier League matches last season, Diogo Dalot, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Sergio Reguilon, Victor Lindelof and Sofyan Amrabat effectively had to job share and rarely offered the same qualities as the 28-year-old.
Bruno Fernandes is the only team-mate who supplies more chances from accurate set-pieces than Shaw (0.65 per 90 minutes) so his return should improve United's poor return of just nine set-play goals last season too.
The presence of Shaw speeds up United’s build-up play down that flank, an area of the field where they missed his quality deliveries into the area.
When Shaw played last season the Red Devils picked up more points, so they will be desperately hoping he stays fit in 2024/25.
Man Utd with and without Shaw 2023/24
| Statistic | With Shaw | Without Shaw |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 12 | 26 |
| Wins | 7 | 11 |
| Draws | 1 | 5 |
| Losses | 4 | 10 |
| Ave. points | 1.83 | 1.46 |
| Win ratio (%) | 58.3 | 42.3 |
Tyrell Malacia (Man Utd)
Man Utd supporters have not seen Malacia in action since May 2023, but hopes are high that the Dutch left-back will be fit enough to participate in pre-season.
Surgery on a knee injury led to complications that have slowed down the 24-year-old’s rehab, but when he does return it will be a real bonus for Ten Hag.
He is likely to be Shaw’s understudy, but Malacia is a more aggressive defensive left-back than the former.
On a per 90 minutes basis, he made more interceptions than any other Man Utd player in 2022/23, and won more tackles than any of the club’s other defenders.
For the balance of their squad, Malacia’s availability will be a real positive.
Sven Botman (Newcastle)
Newcastle sorely missed Botman last season, but the Dutch defender is closing in on a comeback early on in 2024/25.
The imposing but immaculate centre-back was a rock at the heart of the Magpies defence when they conceded just 33 Premier League goals in 2022/23.
Last season that figure almost doubled to 62 and the Dutchman’s damaged ACL was certainly a factor in that downturn.
Botman improves Newcastle in and out of possession given how strong he is in the air inside both boxes, mobile for a player of his size, and a superb short or long-range passer. His impending return will solidify them greatly.
Nick Pope must be mentioned too after he missed five months of the campaign with a shoulder injury which limited him to only 15 league starts.
Despite making seven fewer starts than Martin Dubravka, who perfomed well in Pope's absence, He did amass one extra clean sheet than the Slovakian, with five.
In addition, Pope’s higher starting positions allowed him sweep up a greater number of long balls played over the top of Newcastle's back four. This is a key ingredient when they press opponents and leave a high line.
Midfielders
Emiliano Buendia (Aston Villa)
Aston Villa enjoyed a wonderful campaign despite losing their most natural No 10 to a season-ending knee injury just nine days before the start of last season.
Argentinian playmaker Buendia was a regular starter playing just behind Ollie Watkins in a 4-2-3-1, in Unai Emery’s first season at the club. He excelled with and without the ball, creating more chances from open play (1.49 per 90 minutes) than any of his team-mates, while also defending from the front with great enthusiasm. In terms of regaining possession inside the final third, only skipper John McGinn had a better record.
Buendia is perfectly suited to Emery’s high-octane style of play, and his ability thread through balls in behind for Watkins will be welcomed by the striker. Villa supporters will be thrilled to have him back.
Jacob Ramsey (Aston Villa)
Ramsey was expected to be a key man last season, but foot, hamstring and toe injuries meant that he missed a total of 22 matches.
Despite suffering from a stop-start season, the 23-year-old largely impressed in his eight starts, making a further eight appearances coming off the bench.
Aston Villa’s excellent points return when Ramsey was involved did highlight his value.
He is a young midfielder with an appetite to break forward, who tends to make things happen in advanced areas of the pitch.
Villa with and without Ramsey 2023/24
| Statistic | With Ramsey | Without Ramsey |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 16 | 22 |
| Wins | 11 | 9 |
| Draws | 2 | 6 |
| Losses | 3 | 7 |
| Ave. points | 2.19 | 1.5 |
Tyler Adams (Bournemouth)
Andoni Iraola’s aggressive pressing game is tailor-made for USA international Adams, but two operations on his hamstring restricted the midfield man to just 118 minutes for his new club.
The 25-year-old proved his worth at Leeds United in 2022/23, forging a reputation as one of the division’s most athletic and aggressive engine room enforcers.
In all the key defensive metrics for central midfielders the tough tackling Adams ranked very highly during 2022/23.
Adams' defensive stats 2022/23
| Statistic | Total | PL Rank* |
|---|---|---|
| Tackles/90 | 3.63 | 3rd |
| Tackles won/90 | 1.92 | 7th |
| Poss. won/90 | 8.3 | 7th |
| Interceptions/90 | 1.46 | 12th |
*Minimum 1,000 minutes played
Lewis Cook and Ryan Christie both did well for the Cherries last season, but there is no doubt Adams, who can also pass with aplomb, is capable of forcing his way into Bournemouth’s starting XI once he returns to full fitness, after the midfielder underwent back surgery following Copa America 2024.
Solly March (Brighton)
Brighton & Hove Albion’s attacking output dropped off dramatically last season, scoring 17 fewer goals than they did in 2022/23.
Injuries to several key forwards contributed, but March’s absence with a ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) certainly impacted their productivity inside the final third. Coming off the back of his best-ever campaign, with seven goals and seven assists, the right winger started 2023/24 in tremendous form, netting three times in his first two games.
Is it a coincidence that in the right winger’s seven starts the Seagulls found the back of the net 16 times, averaging 2.29 per match? I don’t think so, as across the remaining 31 contests that he missed, that figure dipped to 1.26.
New head coach Fabian Hurzeler will be eager to have the 29-year-old’s creativity, experience and consistent end product available to him as soon as possible.
Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton)
Ankle and lower back injuries restricted Japanese winger Mitoma to just 19 Premier League appearances last season, and this had a detrimental effect.
When he was fit and available Brighton failed to score just once in those fixtures, but without his electric pace and outstanding dribbles Roberto De Zerbi’s side were far easier to contain. Remarkably, in 10 of the 19 matches Mitoma sat out, the Seagulls blanked nine times.
Brighton with and without Mitoma 2023/24
| Statistic | With Mitoma | Without Mitoma |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 19 | 19 |
| Wins | 7 | 5 |
| Goals scored | 37 | 18 |
| Matches failed to score in | 1 | 9 |
The numbers in the table above paint a very clear picture on how much Brighton missed Mitoma.
Their goal output was halved, so the Japanese star’s return cannot come quickly enough.
Julio Enciso (Brighton)
A torn meniscus in Enciso’s left knee hampered his progress in 2023/24, but the 20-year-old attacking midfielder could be one to watch next season.
He made just five starts (and seven substitute appearances) last season, but on a per 90 minutes basis he made a tremendous impact. No one completed more successful dribbles, and he also had 5.32 shots on goal per game, which is an incredibly high number.
Brighton attackers dribbles/shots compared
| Player | Completed dribbles/90 | Player | Shots/90 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Julio Enciso | 3.23 | Julio Enciso | 5.32 |
| Kaoru Mitoma | 2.36 | Ansu Fati | 4.55 |
| Simon Adingra | 2.02 | Joao Pedro | 3.3 |
The Paraguayan has an eye for the spectacular and excites the Seagulls supporters. If he stays fit, he will make a big impression.
Romeo Lavia (Chelsea)
Since joining from Southampton last summer, Lavia has played just 31 Premier League minutes. He arrived with an ankle issue that kept him out until Christmas, but upon his return the talented Belgian then suffered a serious thigh injury which prematurely ended his campaign.
The 20-year-old should be a welcome reinforcement in the heart of Chelsea’s midfield. Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo did not hit it off as well as expected as a partnership. The Blues won just nine of 22 matches when those two big money signings started together, losing seven.
If Lavia can rediscover his best form as a ball-winning defensive midfielder, he will be a very useful option for Enzo Maresca in the coming months, especially if Conor Gallagher leaves. Technically excellent and combative, the youngster has potential to thrive at Stamford Bridge.
Cheick Doucoure (Crystal Palace)
Oliver Glasner will be excited at the prospect of using defensive midfielder Doucoure for the first time in 2024/25.
The Mali international was outstanding early on last season, producing a strong of influential performances at the base of Crystal Palace’s midfield. Frustratingly, an Achilles injury cut short his debut campaign in English football after only 11 matches. While Will Hughes proved to be a fine partner for Adam Wharton towards the end of last season, the potential of a Wharton-Doucoure central midfield pairing will excites Eagles supporters.
At the point he got injured Doucoure was averaging 1.95 interceptions, 3.32 tackles and 7.2 ball recoveries per 90 minutes for Palace. No other midfielder in Glasner’s squad came close to matching those numbers.
Stefan Bajcetic (Liverpool)
Is Spanish teenager Bajcetic the answer to Liverpool’s search for a top-class defensive midfielder? Perhaps, and we will find out more over the coming months.
New head coach Arne Slot will certainly be pleased to welcome the 19-year-old back from a lay-off that saw him miss almost the entirety of last season with a succession of injuries that were blamed on "severe growing pains".
In 2022/23 he impressed across 11 Premier League outings. Physically he struggled to impose himself at times, but the midfielder - who made his first Premier League outing in 14 months as a substitute against Tottenham Hotspur in May - has bulked up to become more robust.
In that 26-minute cameo he made four tackles, so if Slot is looking for more midfield bite, the youngster will be handed opportunities to play.
Mason Mount (Man Utd)
Mount’s first season at Old Trafford was a huge disappointment, having made just five Premier League starts. A long-term calf injury kept the attacking midfielder out between November and March, with some other niggles also disrupting his progress.
Tactically, the 25-year-old was also a victim of circumstances. On the opening weekend Erik ten Hag deployed him as a twin No 8 with Bruno Fernandes, but Casemiro’s struggles in the sitting role quickly provoked a switch to 4-2-3-1, which limited his opportunities to play.
If Mount can recapture the form which helped him score 11 goals and produce 10 assists for Chelsea in 2021/22, he could be a game changer for Manchester United this season. At his best he is creative, a huge goal threat and also a terrifically hardworking player out of possession.
His most impressive stat in a United shirt so far relates to tackling, where he won 2.46 tackles per 90 minutes, ranking him second behind Casemiro.
Amad (Man Utd)
A pre-season knee injury meant 21-year-old Amad had to wait until late December for his first slice of action, but across three starts and six substitute outings he showed flashes of real promise.
The Ivorian’s calm winner at home to Liverpool in the FA Cup, coupled with a goal and an assist in a 3-2 win against Newcastle United should put Amad in the frame to enjoy plenty more game time in 2024/25.
Amad's stats are very impressive.
Amad attacking stats 2023/24
| Statistic | Total | Man Utd rank* |
|---|---|---|
| Chances created in open play/90 | 2.32 | 1st |
| Dribbles attempted/90 | 5.1 | 1st |
| Dribbles completed/90 | 2.55 | 1st |
| Touches in opp. box/90 | 6.73 | 2nd |
*Minimum three starts
No one who started at least three matches was able to deliver more key passes in open play per 90 minutes. His confidence taking defenders on in 1v1s also shone brightly, as did his pace. Amad’s natural speed can have a penetrative effect for Man Utd in the coming months.
Joe Willock (Newcastle)
Willock will be determined to regain his status as a regular starter for Eddie Howe’s side having featured for just 12.2 per cent of Newcastle’s 2023/24 Premier League campaign.
A hamstring issue troubled the former Arsenal midfielder early on last season, before an Achilles tendon problem wrecked a season which eventually limited him to starts in just five of 38 top-flight matches.
Willock’s athleticism and drive to get forward from a left-midfield berth does provide the Magpies with a fresh dimension. He is also the team’s strongest ball carrier, having attempted 4.09 dribbles per 90 minutes, just ahead of Anthony Gordon.
His box-to-box style was missed in 2023/24.
Sandro Tonali (Newcastle)
Italy international Tonali is expected to resume his playing career in August, following a lengthy suspension for breaches of the FA’s betting rules.
Prior to his ban the 24-year-old central midfielder had experienced a mixed start to life on Tyneside, scoring a fine goal on the opening weekend, before losing his starting place to Sean Longstaff after just four league matches.
His record in Serie A was excellent before arriving at St James’ Park, making seven assists from 62 key passes for AC Milan in the 2022/23 campaign. Tonali is renowned for being a strong ball winner, a terrific passer and someone who can deliver consistently accurate set pieces.
His comeback will give Howe a very handy tactical option.
Joelinton (Newcastle)
Joelinton has been remodelled and rejuvenated under Howe’s management, so it will have been frustrating for Newcastle’s head coach to lose the Brazilian for the second half of last season.
The striker-turned-midfielder returned in May, following groin surgery which had kept him out of action for 118 days.
Joelinton is an invaluable tactical option for the Magpies chief given his ability to play in midfield or attack. When he sits at the base of midfield it frees up Bruno Guimaraes to push forward, and in wider positions the 27-year-old’s powerful runs suit Newcastle’s transitional style of play.
Forwards
Kevin Schade (Brentford)
Ivan Toney’s suspension opened the door for 22-year-old Schade to grow his own role within Brentford’s starting XI, but a serious adductor injury kept the forward out for 200 days. He was subsequently not involved in 27 of their top-flight matches.
Thomas Frank likes to use the German on the left side of his attack in a 4-3-3, but he could also perform as a striker in a 3-5-2.
Schade attacking stats 2023/24
| Statistic | Total | Brentford rank |
|---|---|---|
| Touches in opp. box/90 | 7.29 | 1st |
| Headed shots/90 | 0.87 | 1st |
| Aerials won/90 | 3.71 | 1st |
Schade is exceptionally good in the air, Brentford’s best player in that department by far, and he habitually gets himself on the ball inside the opposition box.
He is yet to prove himself as a prolific scorer, but Schade is a real handful to contain. This season he should provide the Bees with a new dimension, allowing them to play more direct.
Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea)
Nkunku only made two Premier League starts, coupled with nine substitute appearances in an an incredibly frustrating debut season at Chelsea.
Whenever he was available, the 26-year-old Frenchman showed a lot of promise, giving defenders headaches with his power and skill, as well as scoring three goals at a rate of one every 146 minutes. Cole Palmer was the only Chelsea player to find the back of the net at a faster rate.
Chelsea with and without Nkunku 2023/24
| Statistic | With Nkunku | Without Nkunku |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 11 | 27 |
| Win ratio | 63.6% | 40.7% |
| Ave. points | 2.18 | 1.52 |
| Ave. goals scored | 2.27 | 1.92 |
Nkunku’s influence on the side is visible as the table shows, with Chelsea’s win ratio, goals scored and average points tally all significantly better when he was involved.
Enzo Maresca will be hoping the knee, hip and hamstring injuries which plagued him last season, do not trouble him again.
Matheus Franca (Crystal Palace)
Brazilian forward Franca came off the bench to good effect in Oliver Glasner’s first two matches in charge of Crystal Palace, but a groin kept him out of the run-in from early March onwards.
It is hard to assess how impactful the 20-year-old will be in 2024/25 on the back of just 225 minutes of first-team action, but the former Franca’s pace and physicality looks like it will be a useful option inside the final third.
Glasner will also be pleased with how versatile Franca can be. He can operate in the wide areas, as a No 10, or even as a box-to-box midfielder, if Jean-Philippe Mateta keeps his place as the first-choice striker.
Harvey Barnes (Newcastle)
Newcastle United were a more dangerous attacking outfit when Barnes was on the pitch last season.
The Magpies scored once every 43 minutes when he was on the pitch, but that improved to one goal every 33.1 minutes.
Newcastle with and without Barnes 2023/24
| Statistic | With Barnes | Without Barnes |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes | 765 | 2625 |
| Goals scored | 240 | 61 |
| Mins/goal | 33.1 | 43 |
Barnes regularly provided second-half impetus with his direct style of play and positivity. Six of his eight direct goal contributions (including four goals scored) came when he was brought on as an impact substitute. He started seven matches but tellingly, was used 14 times from the bench.
Barnes suffered a injury to his big toe that kept him on the sidelines between late September and early February, while a hamstring issue put him out during March.
If he stays fit in 2024/25 it will be interesting to see where Eddie Howe accommodates him, as his preferred position on the left is usually occupied by Anthony Gordon.
Taiwo Awoniyi (Nott'm Forest)
In some respects, Chris Wood outshone Awoniyi as Nottingham Forest’s centre-forward last season, but the Nigerian’s importance should not be underestimated.
Awoniyi is a real handful for defenders given how quick and powerful he is, and even if he is not scoring goals himself, the presence of the 26-year-old tends to open up additional space for his team-mates.
Nott'm Forest with and without Awoniyi last two seasons
| Statistic | With Awoniyi 22/23 | Without Awoniyi 22/23 |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 17 | 21 |
| Matches failed to score in | 4 | 8 |
| Ave. goals scored | 1.24 | 0.81 |
| Statistic | With Awoniyi 23/24 | Without Awoniyi 23/25 |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 12 | 26 |
| Matches failed to score in | 1 | 9 |
| Ave. goals scored | 1.5 | 1.19 |
Groin surgery and a thigh problem restricted Awoniyi to only 12 starts last season, but interestingly Forest only failed to score in one of those matches. By contrast they blanked in nine of the 26 where he did not make the starting XI.
It was a very similar story in the previous campaign, so ever since he arrived at the City Ground it is clear the striker has made a tremendous impact.
Nuno Espirito Santo will be hoping Awoniyi avoids injury in 2024/25. He is a talisman for the side.
