Five Premier League stars to watch as the 2026-27 season starts

Five major signings will draw attention when the 2026-27 Premier League season begins on Friday. Chelsea’s £117 million acquisition Morgan Rogers is expected to be central to Xabi Alonso’s attempt to rebuild a side that finished 10th last season.

The 24-year-old England midfielder joined from Aston Villa after helping the club win the Europa League and end a 30-year wait for a trophy. Rogers will reunite with Chelsea forward Cole Palmer, his former Manchester City youth-team teammate, although Alonso will need to balance two players who tend to operate in similar areas. The transfer made Rogers the most expensive British player before another deal surpassed it.

That record now belongs to Anderson, who moved from Nottingham Forest to Manchester City for £116 million. The 23-year-old faces the task of replacing the influence of Spain’s World Cup winner Rodri and Bernardo Silva, who have joined Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively. His passing, tactical awareness and calm style earned him the move, but he must help City challenge Arsenal after two seasons without the league title under new manager Enzo Maresca.

Arsenal turned to Bruno Guimarães after declining to meet Chelsea’s price for Rogers. The champions paid £75 million for the Brazil midfielder, who also arrives as Newcastle’s former captain. Guimarães is set to join Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard in midfield, adding ball-winning ability, aggression and composure to an already strong squad.

Sandro Tonali is another midfielder beginning a new chapter. The 26-year-old became Tottenham’s record signing after deciding within 10 minutes to join Roberto De Zerbi’s rebuilding project. Tonali was influential during Newcastle’s revival before their downturn last season, and he now moves to a Tottenham team that narrowly avoided relegation in May. The fee has also created considerable pressure for the Italy international.

Liverpool have signed 21-year-old Jacquet from Rennes to strengthen a defence that struggled to match the authority of their 2025 title-winning unit. The £60 million transfer was agreed during the winter window before the move was completed. With Ibrahima Konate joining Real Madrid and Andrew Robertson moving to Tottenham, Jacquet must build a new central partnership with Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, a process both players recognise will require time.