Silva and Chamakh tipped to shine in Premier League (Feature)

By Ben James Aug 12, 2010, 9:47 GMT

London - There may be time left before the transfer window slams shut at the end of August but the big clubs and a few of the smaller ones have already been busy in the transfer market and this year's Premier League season promises to showcase even more of the world's top talent.

Though the two men considered as the world's best - Lionel Messi and Kaka - remain in Spain with Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively, others have arrived and are sure to thrill the crowds this season.

As they did last summer, the deep pockets of Manchester City's owners have been lightened a little with several new additions costing almost 80 million pounds in total, with the likelihood of more to come.

David Silva, Yaya Toure, Jerome Boateng and Aleksandar Kolarov have all signed up, with Toure, brother of defender Kolo, costing the most at 28 million pounds.

City manager Roberto Mancini has long been an admirer of Silva, who helped Spain to World Cup glory in South Africa this summer. 'I wanted him five years ago, when I was in charge at Inter (Milan),' Mancini said. 'But he decided he wanted to stay at Valencia.

Silva played on the left for Spain but Mancini plans to use him just behind the front two for City, a position his former manager at Valencia feels is his best, and Silva said he can't wait to sample everything the Premier League has to offer.

'I haven't just come here for football reasons,' Silva said. 'As a person, you gain new experiences in life off the field as well as on it. This is a great challenge, football wise. But you also grow as a person when you move to another country.

At 28 million pounds, Toure has the pressure of the pound on his shoulders but at least he will have his brother Kolo to help him through should he take time to get used to the pace, as many overseas imports to the Premier League have done over the years.

Much is expected of both Toure and Boateng but defender Kolarov is already impressing and after his 16 million-pound move he wants to prove he was worth the money.

'City is a club that is going places,' he said. 'I hope that City will become better than United and will become better known than United are now. The squad is very strong and over the next few years we want to win the league and the Champions League.'

Champions Chelsea, outshone financially by the new rich boys in town, have been relatively frugal in the transfer market. Yossi Benayoun is the only senior player to move to London, although Brazilian Ramires is thought to be about to join him.

Benayoun moved to Chelsea from Liverpool while Joe Cole went the other way and though Milan Jovanovic has also boosted their ranks it is the Englishman's arrival at Anfield that makes some feel that Liverpool could make a challenge for the title after a disappointing 2009-2010 season, when they finished seventh.

Keeping hold of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard has boosted spirits, new manager Roy Hodgson has breathed life into them and England captain Gerrard said his international colleague Cole, a free transfer, could be a star of the season.

'Messi can do some amazing things but anything he can do Joe can do as well, if not better,' Gerrard said. 'He used to shock us in training by doing footy tricks with a golf ball that most players can't even do with a football. I really fancy Joe for the player of the year award this season.'

Manchester United have not been quiet, either, as they look to regain the title from Chelsea, with much faith pinned on the young shoulders of Mexico striker Manchester United Javier Hernandez, who reportedly cost them 8 million pounds.

'He has been looking good for the last 10 days since he joined us in the United States,' said United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar. 'He is a big prospect. More players are emerging and together with the experienced ones we have to try and bring something back.'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, always careful with his club's money, has splashed out on Morocco striker Marouane Chamakh, who made his name at Bordeaux. Fast and strong, Chamakh is tipped to have a big impact on an Arsenal side chasing their first league title since 2004.

'Chamakh is a striker of real quality and has all the attributes suited to come to England and do very well,' Wenger said. 'He is also a fighter, not only a good football player, but a fighter as well. He is very good in the air and also a good team player. He is a great addition to our squad.'