20/08/2026

THURSDAY | AUG 20, 2026

30

SPORTS

SPORTS

T HE new Premier League season kicks off on Saturday, setting the stage for a galaxy of stars to shine in the 2026-27 campaign. Here’s a looks at five players to watch: Morgan Rogers (Chelsea) Signed for a British record £117 million (RM643m) from Aston Villa, the England midfielder will be expected to lead the Xabi Alonso revolution at Stamford Bridge. Rogers is Chelsea’s marquee close-season recruit and must live up to his eye-watering price tag if Alonso is to revitalise the Blues after their dismal

Stars to watch Five new signings set to make their mark as the 2026-27 Premier League season gets underway

Elliot Anderson (Man City) The 23-year-old held the record as the most expensive British player for just a matter of days before being eclipsed by Morgan Rogers’ move to Chelsea. Signed from Nottingham Forest for £116 million (RM, Anderson has the formidable task of replacing the prodigious output of Rodri and Bernardo Silva. Spain World Cup winner Rodri has joined Barcelona, while Silva moved to Real Madrid, leaving a huge void in City’s midfield that Anderson must fill for new boss Enzo Maresca to enjoy a successful debut season. Anderson’s astute reading of the game and com posed demeanour earned the England international his big-money move and a massive pay rise. Now he has to justify that huge expense as City try to dethrone champions Arsenal after two years with out a Premier League title. – AFP

6173/2026

19/08/2026 (WED)

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Draw Date: 19/08/26 (Wed)

Draw No: 6120/26

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RM323,196.70

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Arsenal’s Bruno Guimaraes, Chelsea’s Morgan Rogers, Man City’s Elliot Anderson, Spurs’ Sandro Tonali and Liverpool’s Jeremy Jacquet. – REUTERSPIC

RM518,333.30

no longer looks impregnable. The Liverpool captain’s struggles were exacerbated by the woes of his defensive col leagues last term. Ibrahima Konate has joined Real Madrid, while Andrew Robertson moved to Tottenham. Jacquet, 21, had to wait for his Anfield move after a £60 million (RM330m) switch from Rennes was agreed in the winter transfer window. And Van Dijk acknowledged their nascent partnership at the heart of Liverpool’s defence is a work in progress. “It’s pretty clear that you need to form a connection together and that takes a bit of time,” he said. “That’s absolutely normal, but hopefully we can get that going as quickly as possible.” Sandro Tonali (Tottenham) The Italy midfielder took just 10 minutes to agree to become Tottenham’s record signing. Now he must show that rapid decision was the right move for himself and his new club. With his relentless work ethic and quality in possession, the 26-year-old was a key figure in Newcastle’s renaissance before their dip last season. Looking to take his career to new heights, Tonali was quickly convinced to join Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi’s over haul of a club that are looking upwards after narrowly avoiding relegation in May. “When you are happy after a 10-minute chat, everything is perfect,” said Tonali, who acknowledged the size of his fee brings “a lot of pressure”.

10th-place finish in the Premier League last season. The 24-year-old arrives fresh from helping Villa end their 30-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League. Rogers’ friendship with Chelsea forward Cole Palmer from their time together in Manchester City’s youth academy will help his acclimation, but Alonso must find a way to harness the talents of two players that operate in similar areas of the pitch. Bruno Guimaraes (Arsenal) The Brazil midfielder was Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta’s consolation prize after missing out on Morgan Rogers. The Gunners declined to match Chelsea’s record-breaking offer for Rogers and pivoted to Guimaraes, who makes the champions’ already formidable squad even stronger. Arsenal paid £75 million (RM412m) to sign the Newcastle captain and he will slot in alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard in midfield. “Since the first day he came in, it has been such a natural thing,” Arsenal cap tain Odegaard said of Guimaraes’ transition. “Although we had some big fights with him in the past, he has just come in as a real natu ral part of the team. “He can win the ball, he’s a fighter. But he also has so much quality and is calm on the ball.” Jeremy Jacquet (Liverpool) Jacquet has been signed to quell the mounting concern about a creaky defence that lacked the authority of Liverpool’s title winning unit in 2025. Now 35, Virgil van Dijk

TIGER 870 416+

RM1,534,513.80

HORSE 047 463+

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