Meet The New Boys- The Premiership’s Recent Arrivals #1

Fernando Torres and Eduardo Da Silva have attracted the most attention but even in the first week in July, some tremendous talent has been bought up by the top English clubs. To start with we look at Claudio Pizarro (Chelsea), Olivier Kapo (Birmingham), David Rozehnal (Newcastle) and Tuncay Sanli (Middlesbrough.

Claudio Pizarro- Chelsea

Currently playing for Peru in the Copa America and in good form; his two goals ensured that his nation qualified for the quarter-finals. Pizarro arrives on a free from Bayern Munich where he has extensive experience in the Champions League.

Signed by Werder Bremen from Allianz Lima, the striker contributed a goal every two games which won him a transfer to Germany’s top club. In 6 years in Munich Pizarro contributed 71 goals in 174 games and was a popular member of the squad.

He can play as the most forward striker or in a role slightly behind a partner. Known as the ‘Bomber’, or more exotically the ‘Inca God’, Pizarro has 3 Championship medals from his time in Munich.

Olivier Kapo- Birmingham City

Birmingham have been especially active in the market since the end of the season and Kapo is one of their more significant signings. He comes from that great nursery club Auxerre and has been on Juventus books since 2004.

However, he’s never been able to cement a place in Turin and has spent two seasons on loan at Monaco and Levante. He dropped a strong hint in the media that he wanted to play in the Premiership and Steve Bruce has tied up the deal.

Though Ivorian born, Kapo has 9 caps for France. He didn’t make last year’s World Cup squad unfortunately and he got the first of his caps as far back as 2002. Like a lot of players, he has found playing in Spain more to his liking.

Kapo had many clubs after him and his agent has warned Birmingham that the player may move on to meet his long-term ambitions. He will give Steve Bruce options because he can play wide left, or just behind a central striker, or in a more central position.

David Rozehnal – Newcastle United

Everyone knew major surgery was required for the Magpies defence. Possibly Tal Ben Haim would have been Sam Allardyce’s first choice but he’s also been firm in his pursuit of the Czech international.

Rozehnal was part of the Czech side at the 2006 World Cup, appearing in all three games and also went to the Euro 2004 tournament. He began his career at Sigma Olomouc before a transfer to Club Bruges where he was part of title winning side.

From 2005 he’s played for Paris St Germain where he has been voted Player of the Year and was voted into the Team of the Season for the French League. He now has 34 Czech caps after serving an 8 game apprenticeship with the under 21 side.

Tuncay Sanli- Middlesbrough

Tuncay Sanli is a seasoned Turkish international with 43 caps to his name and 13 international strikes. Boro have bought him from Fenerbahce where he’s won 3 titles. Tuncay has a more than respectable 59 goals in 154 games at that club because he hasn’t always played as a full striker.

The player is known for his 100% effort- his nickname among Fenerbahce fans is ‘Brave Heart’ or ‘Heart of Fenerbahce’. In 2004 he scored a hat trick against Manchester United in a Champions League encounter and he’s also bagged one in an international play off game with Switzerland.

He’s an adaptable player because with Sakaryaspor, his first club, Tuncay played on the right. At Fener the coaches switched him to the left and down the centre.