As excitement builds for another thrilling season in arguably Europe’s most intriguing league, the English Premier League, we analyze the impact and expectations of Ghanaian players at their respective clubs.
Arsenal — Thomas Partey
A midfield fulcrum, when fit. The heartbeat of Mikel Arterta’s heavily-based possession football. Bar any injuries, which Partey has been hampered with in the past two seasons, a fit Thomas Partey will be an integral part of Arsenal’s pursuit to end a two decade wait for the coveted Premier League crown.
The deep lying playmaker has Jorginho and Declan Rice to compete with for a starting berth in Arterta’s new-look side. The Spanish manager has made valuable additions to the side that was a hairs breadth from ending city’s monopoly of winning the Premier League crown – albeit failing at the end. Ricardo Calafiori — a versatile player who could slot in at the heart of defence and at right back — has been couped from Bologna, following an impressive European championship. Goalkeeper David Raya has also completed a permanent switch from Brentford, after an initial loan spell last season.
The defence, which kept the most cleansheets (16), will be buoyed by new additions in the backline. The commanding presence of Thomas Partey, who has scored 5 times in 95 Premier League appearances for the Gunners, coupled with Martin Odegaard’s ingenuity and Declan Rice’s box-to-box ability, should take the Gunners a step closer to reaching the pinnacle of English football.
Bournemouth — Antoine Semenyo 
The 1.85m center forward, an embodiment of physicality, showcased flashes of brilliance and readiness for the upcoming season with an equalizing goal against Arsenal in a pre-season game, before keeping his cool to slot in Bournemouth’s first penalty kick in the shootout of the same game.
8 goals in 33 games last season, not a mouth watering attacking returns for the former Bristol City man, but Semenyo has found his feet under Adrani Iraola, cementing his spot in the team and placing himself as the go to man for the club. The Ghanaian finished with the most goal involvement (10) for the team – bar Solanke – and will hope to ride off from where he left off in the new season.
Dominic Solanke’s move from the Cherries to Tottenham Hotspurs means Semenyo will be tasked by Iraola to step up and shoulder the goal scoring responsibilities.
With 9 goals in 44 Premier League appearances, Semenyo is a player who is, definitely, not afraid to have a crack at goal. Big season for the big man.
Brighton and Hove Albion — Tariq Lamptey
Redemption will be what Lamptey will have reverberating in his mind. The right back has struggled for consistency, which has heavily been due to recurring injuries. After helping the Black Stars secure successive World Cup qualifying victories in June, Lamptey told 3 Sports his goal ahead of the upcoming season was to stay fit and feature in as many games.
And under new manager Fabio Hurzler, who is the youngest-ever permanent gaffer in the league’s history, Tariq is set to be a beneficiary of the Swiss’ system which sees full backs move high up the pitch to stretch opposing defences. Although Hurzler has confirmed Lamptey would not be involved in Brighton’s opening game due to injury, Lamptey has a big season ahead of him and could massively help Brighton to rediscover their touch of two seasons ago, where they finished 6th — their highest ever.
Crystal Palace — Jordan Ayew
Heavily linked to Leicester City, Jordan Ayew is expected to begin the 2024/25 campaign with the Eagles, although the occurrence of a late twist – before the transfer window shuts – has not been completely ruled out. Having found the back of the net 37 times in 274 appearances, Jordan has the most goalscoring returns of any Ghanaian in the Premier League — albeit featuring 6 times more than second place Jeffrey Schlupp.
Although scoring a crucial goal in a 1-1 stalemate against Everton at Goodison Park in February to signal the end of Roy Hodgson’s tenure as manager, Jordan has struggled to get into the plans of new manager Oliver Glasner. The Ghanaian got the Glasner era underway with a well-taken strike and managed to set up Chris Richards in a 3-0 annihilation of Burnley in February. However, things have spiraled for the 32-year forward who equaled his best performing season in a Palace shirt with 11 goal involvements ( 4 goals, 7 assists) last term. Jordan started 2 of the last 7 games for the Eagles as they wrapped up the season on a 7 game unbeaten run.
Early pre-season indications suggests Ayew will give Glasner, who he seems to have fallen out of favour with, food for thoughts; scoring twice and providing an assist across 4 pre -season games. Jordan definitely has experience on his side and will be up for the season ahead.
Leicester City — Fatawu Issahaku 
Twinkling toes, sharpness and directness, are but a few of the tools in the repertoire of this budding talent. Leicester City’s Young Player of the 2023/24 Championship season has a big campaign ahead in his Premier League debut. After he wrought wonders in Leicester’s 2023/24 championship-winning charge, the Foxes, mesmerized by his 19 goal involvements (6 goals and 13 assists), had to trigger the buy clause in Issahaku’s contract from parent club Sporting Cp. However, the 20-year-old will be wary of the pace and intensity of the Premier League, which is levels above the Championship.
New manager Steve Cooper – who was appointed in the stead of Enzo Maresca in June, and has a wealth of experience – will ensure Issahaku remains grounded and fixated in helping the Foxes stay up. If Leicester City, who lost their player of the season (Kiernan Drewsbury- Hall) and manager to Chelsea, are to maintain their Premier League status, Issahaku will be heavily relied on to replicate his Championship form in the Premier League, alongside veteran Jamie Vardy, goal poacher Steve Mavididi and the electric Patson Daka.
Southampton— Kamaldeen Sulemana
Talk of explosiveness and being a menace and a nightmare for defenders, talk about Kamaldeen Sulemana. Despite having limited game time and missing the 2023 African Cup of Nations due to a hamstring injury, Sulemana has, in recent months, showcased a tinge of his Rennes days.
Sulemana was a surprise inclusion in Ghana’s June Internationals against Mali and the Central African Republic. Nonetheless, his constant ability to drive at defenders and willingness to track back and help out defensively has been an admirable trait of the young winger, which justified his selection. Sulemana left Anfield in awe of him in his last Premier league game, with his constant probing leaving Liverpool’s defence in tatters.
Although having a bit of a niggle, according to head coach Russel Martin, prior to the Saints opening game against Newcastle, Sulemana is expected to shrug off the injury scare and feature prominently for Southampton in subsequent games. The tricky forward is expected to add to his 2 goals in 18 Premier League appearances and play a central role for Southampton.
West Ham — Mohammed Kudus
Needs no introduction. He runs rings around defences, takes games by the scruff of the neck, leaves defenders in 6’s and 7’s, glides past challenges and, most importantly, scores goals. One of the remarkable works done by West Ham’s football hierarchy was holding on to Mohammed Kudus in the summer transfer window, at least for one more season. Not only did the Hammers hold on to the Ghanaian, the East London side have bolstered their team with the capturing of Manchester United’s Aaron Wan Bissaka, Jean Clair Todibo, Summerville, Guilherme and German marksman Nicolas Fulkrug.
Kudus was made to labour, at times, during the 2023/24 season. Visibly frustrated at times with his teammates for offering little help upfront. After a blistering life in the Premier League, Kudus was expected to be priced away but West Ham opted against his sale. A step which would excite new manager Julien Lopetegui as he has a melee of stars at his disposal now. It remains to be seen the team mustered by Lopetegui in their first game against Aston Villa. But, one thing is certain – as he has also reiterated – Kudus is looking forward to a big season and looking forward to goals.
Kudus provides the most potent goalscoring threat amongst all Ghanaian players in the Premier League and his 8 goals in 33 appearances is expected to hike.
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Story by: Andrews Sefa Bamfo| univers. ug.edu.gh
