A lot can change over the course of the international break – Newcastle United have gone from losing 2-1 at Wolves to becoming the world's richest football club, in a sense.
It's all change at St James' Park and you can guarantee a charged atmosphere for the first match of a potentially exciting period for a club that has underachieved for years, with Tottenham the visitors on Sunday.
A couple of Newcastle players might be worth your consideration, while Leeds star Raphinha – who would ordinarily be an easy pick – this week represents something of a risk.
Using Opta data, Stats Perform picks out seven players for your consideration.
AARON RAMSDALE (Arsenal v Crystal Palace)
His signing was scoffed at by many in pre-season, probably partly due to the significant £24million fee Arsenal spent, but Ramsdale has enjoyed an encouraging start after dislodging Bernd Leno for the Gunners.
He has featured four times in the Premier League and conceded just once, giving him the best minutes-per-goal-conceded ratio in the division (one every 360 mins).
Ramsdale will be confident of continuing that theme on Monday against Crystal Palace, whose open-play expected goals (xG) of 5.2 is better than only five teams this term.
MATT RITCHIE (Newcastle United v Tottenham)
Now, selecting a Newcastle defender might ordinarily be considered something of a risk, but it's fair to suggest there may be a slightly more positive aura around the team – for obvious reasons – when Spurs visit.
If the feel-good factor at the club following their takeover does translate into a strong performance, the early signs this season would have you believe Ritchie will be influential.
The converted left-back's 21 chances created is second just to Bruno Fernandes, while only Trent Alexander-Arnold (2.6) and Mason Mount (2.1) have better expected assists (xA) records than Ritchie (2.0) – he's also played the third-most amount of passes into the box out of everyone in the top flight (63).
KIERAN TIERNEY (Arsenal v Crystal Palace)
Another left-back who is pretty effective going forward is Tierney, who has widely been considered one of few consistently solid performers for Arsenal during his time at the club – when he's fit, that is.
As mentioned previously, Arsenal's next opponents Palace aren't among the league's most threatening team, so there's undoubtedly potential for clean-sheet points, though Tierney also provides plenty in attack.
Among defenders yet to score or assist, only Everton's Lucas Digne (17) has recorded more than Tierney's 15 shot involvements (shots and key passes), while the Scotland international is third among defenders for chances created (nine, two less than Alexander-Arnold).
RAPHINHA (Southampton v Leeds United)
Admittedly, this one's a bit of a gamble. With Raphinha away with Brazil for their World Cup qualifier against Uruguay on Thursday night (early Friday morning UK time), roughly 36 hours prior to Leeds facing Southampton, Marcelo Bielsa has already acknowledged Raphinha's status is at the very least unclear.
But he's looked exciting in his Brazil cameos so far, and his form in 2021-22 would leave few doubting Raphinha has the ability to have a decisive impact on Saturday even if just playing as a substitute.
Currently, he tops the rankings among Leeds players for goals (three), shots (24), chances created (14) and passes into the box (59) – he's surely too important for Bielsa to leave out entirely.
JESSE LINGARD (Leicester City v Manchester United)
After a brilliant few months at West Ham, Lingard is still waiting for a proper run of games this term at United, but he's already chipped in with a couple of goals in just three league appearances.
The second of those came against the Hammers, and up next is another of his former loan teams: Leicester.
He already boasts a great record in meetings with the Foxes, having been involved in six goals (three goals and three assists) against them – that's a joint-personal best (also six versus Arsenal).
ALLAN SAINT-MAXIMIN (Newcastle United v Tottenham)
If there's one member of the Newcastle squad who promises to be the most buoyed by the club's new situation, it's surely the one who wouldn't look out of place in a team of expensively assembled superstars.
Saint-Maximin is box office – he's an entertainer and always looks like he's having a rollicking good time on the pitch, but this season the Frenchman has added a little more substance to his play as well.
With two goals and three assists already in 2021-22, he has an involvement every 126 minutes, massively improved on 2020-21 (one every 224 mins). In front of new owners, few would bet against Saint-Maximin dazzling as he looks to prove he'll be right at home in the new era.
RAUL JIMENEZ (Aston Villa v Wolves)
Back from a serious head injury, Jimenez did not have much luck during his first five Premier League appearances of the season, not getting a single goal or assist despite attempting 14 shots and delivering 15 key passes.
But since then, the Mexico international has been involved in all of Wolves' three most recent goals.
Jimenez has been something of a double-threat under Bruno Lage, with his shot involvements tally of 36 bettered by only Bruno Fernandes (47), Mohamed Salah, Michail Antonio and Raphinha.
Wales boss Rob Page urges Premier League clubs to snap up Daniel James
Wales manager Rob Page has told top-flight clubs to make a move for “Premier League player” Daniel James.
The Wales winger’s club career remains uncertain following Leeds’ relegation to the Sky Bet Championship.
James spent last season on loan with Fulham but has now returned to managerless Leeds and the second tier, where he shone at Swansea to earn a 2019 move to Manchester United.
Page said: “I do think DJ is a Premier League player and he could easily play there again.
“If I’m a Premier League manager and I find out he’s available, personally I’d take him.
“I’m bound to say that because I’m his Welsh manager, but for me he always poses a threat.
“He still has things to work on but with the pace he’s got it is a brave team that plays a high line against him.”
James cost Leeds £25million in joining from Manchester United in August 2021.
The 25-year-old struggled for game-time at Fulham, making only five Premier League starts among 23 appearances in all competitions and scoring three goals.
James has often reserved his best performances for a Wales shirt and started 34 consecutive competitive games before being benched for the World Cup defeat to Iran in November.
“He has taken one for the team in recent months because I’ve asked him to play a different role,” Page said ahead of forthcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Armenia and Turkey.
“He likes playing wide left and the way we play now suits us because he gives us the width on the left.
“He’s that option in behind and when you’ve got a tool like that in your armoury it really is effective.
“In the Premier League, and at international level, he poses a threat. It was a frustrating few months for him when I played him at centre-forward with Gareth (Bale).
“Now we’ve changed and he is back out in his natural position.”
Wales return to action at home to Armenia on Friday and against Turkey in Samsun three days later having taken four points from their opening two games in March.
Page, who has taken his squad to Portugal to prepare for the Euro 2024 double-header, says he has felt the benefits of speaking to Warren Gatland, head coach of the Wales rugby team and former British and Irish Lions boss.
“I had a great chat with him over dinner and wanted to pick his brains,” Page said of his meeting with Gatland at the Football Association of Wales’ National Coaches Conference in Newport.
“It’s not every day you get the chance to share dinner with a man of his stature.
“We talked about how we deal with players, groups of men, and it was really interesting.
“He spoke about how he deals with individuals. It was refreshing to learn it’s how I’ve dealt with individuals in the past.
“We are from a similar era and share similar culture and values. When you are dealing with a player, you do it to their face.”
Millwall sign Hibernian striker Kevin Nisbet for ‘seven-figure fee’
Scotland striker Kevin Nisbet has left Hibernian for Millwall after the two clubs agreed “a significant seven-figure fee”, the cinch Scottish Premiership outfit have announced.
The deal for the 26-year-old, whose exact price tag remains undisclosed, includes both add-ons and a sell-on arrangement.
A statement on Hibs’ official website read: “We can confirm that Kevin Nisbet has joined English Championship side Millwall for a significant seven-figure fee.
“The full terms of the 26-year-old’s departure will remain undisclosed, however, it does include sizeable add-ons and a sell-on fee.”
Millwall had a bid, understood to be in the region of £2million, accepted for Nisbet in January, but the player ultimately opted to stay in Scotland.
Hibs’ chief executive Ben Kensell said: “After deciding to stay in January, Kevin informed us that he wanted to leave the football club this summer, which we understood.
“Following those discussions, we had to ensure we got the best possible deal for him. We’re happy with the fee we received, and we wish him all the best for the future with Millwall.”
Nisbet, who joined Hibs from Dunfermline in July 2020, scored 12 goals in 19 league appearances last season after recovering from a knee injury which sidelined him for 10 months.
Manager Lee Johnson said: “We’re disappointed to lose Nizzy after he did so well for us on his return but understand that he wanted to go on a new adventure down south.
“Although he will be missed, this presents a new opportunity for someone else to step into that role. We thank him for his contribution and wish him all the best in England.”
Attacking Postecoglou suits Spurs' style, says King
Ange Postecoglou has an attacking style of play that will suit Tottenham ideally, according to club icon Ledley King.
It was confirmed this week that Postecoglou will leave Celtic to take charge of Tottenham on a four-year contract.
The 57-year-old spent two years with the Scottish champions and departs after winning a domestic treble in 2022-23.
Australian Postecoglou will take charge of a Spurs team that struggled to eighth place in the Premier League and will not play in Europe next season.
But King is taking an optimistic stance about what can be achieved under the new Spurs boss.
"He is a very good manager and he had a fantastic time at Celtic," said King, who was speaking to Stats Perform at an exclusive kit launch event for Club and Nike Members held at Alexandra Palace.
"He is a front-foot manager who loves to play attacking football and score plenty of goals and I think he is someone that suits our style. Also, developing young players is really important.
"I'm looking forward to him starting his reign and I think it's important that we sorted it early. He's just finished the [Scottish Cup] final with Celtic and we've been able to get over the line, the deal has been sorted. Now we know what direction we're moving in.
"If I look through our history, we've always had players that want to go on the front foot, express themselves, and score goals – that has just been in the DNA of the football club.
"And, of course, to develop young players. We always have to see players given an opportunity. So I think for these reasons, it'd be a big hit with the fans.
"If you're an attacking player, the thought of that is fantastic. I know that players want to play, they want to play with the ball. They want to be dictating games – that is what players want to do.
"They want to play in a team that is enjoyable to play in and plays good, stylish football. We have a manager that plays that style.
"I'm sure the players are excited and will be looking forward to pre-season."
Conte was sacked in late March, with Cristian Stellini and then Ryan Mason taking temporary charge.
There was a dismal finish to the season, but King pointed out Tottenham had spent much of the campaign in the battle for a top-four finish and is hopeful there will be a prompt recovery from a disappointing year.
He added: "It was a difficult season. Obviously, there were a lot of different reasons.
"There's a World Cup that came in the middle of the season. Then Conte had a few health issues and he lost a coach during the season.
"So it was not an easy season, but I would say that the team, for most of the season, was in and around the top four.
"It is a talented group and now the new manager coming in has a chance to look at the whole group.
"The players that have been on loan get a chance to impress him and for him he has a chance to see who we can move forward with."
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