Six January signings who could debut this weekend | OneFootball

With the January transfer window closed for business fans will be eager to see their new signings in action.

This weekend represents the first chance for several big names to make their first appearances in new colours. Here are five January signings who could debut.

Marcus Rashford (Aston Villa)

Marcus Rashford’s future was one of the sagas of the winter window after the forward expressed interest in leaving Manchester United. Despite links to several European heavyweights, he remained in English football with a loan move to Aston Villa.

It’s been an underwhelming 18 months for Rashford, whose performances have dipped drastically since a 30-goal campaign in 2022/23. He’s not played a minute since December, when he was dropped for the Manchester Derby. Ruben Amorim questioned the 27-year-old’s application and he arrives at Villa Park with a point to prove. An upwardly mobile side under Unai Emery might just be the ideal environment for Rashford’s renaissance.

Marco Asensio (Aston Villa)

Aston Villa were among the busier clubs of the window with four new arrivals. In addition to Rashford, Donyell Malen and Axel Disasi, the Midlands outfit swooped to sign Marco Asensio on loan from Paris Saint-Germain.

The Spaniard has struggled for regular football this season and featured for just 18 minutes across the club’s last eight Ligue 1 games. Asensio is certainly a big name – and talent – and arrives with pedigree after three Champions League wins at Real Madrid. However, like Rashford, he’s endured a tough 18 months.

Ben Chilwell (Crystal Palace)

Frozen out at Chelsea in the summer, Ben Chilwell has joined Crystal Palace in search of minutes. Enzo Maresca’s decision that the left-back did not fit his plans has restricted Chilwell to just 45 minutes of senior football in six months.

Injury problems for Chilwell and Luke Shaw have meant that England’s left-back position has become a problem area. Thomas Tuchel, who managed Chilwell to Champions League success at Chelsea, will be keeping a close eye on his performances.

Nico Gonzalez (Manchester City)

Manchester City’s issues in the engine room have contributed to a tough season for the champions. Well adrift in the Premier League title race and fortunate to secure European progress, it’s been a stark fall from grace.

The absence of Rodri since September has left a void in City’s centre, one Nico Gonzalez will be tasked with filling. Signed from Porto for a fee of €60m, the 23-year-old is in the mould of a Pep Guardiola midfielder. How quickly he can adapt could determine the success of City’s season.

Patrick Dorgu (Manchester United)

Ruben Amorim ticked off his biggest desire of the January transfer window with the signing of a recognised left wing-back. Diogo Dalot has deputised in the absence of an out-and-out option but Patrick Dorgu will now seek to cement his place in the team. Signed from Lecce for a fee in the region of £25m, the Denmark international is a powerful ball-carrier.

Though expectations for a 20-year-old arriving in a new division should be tempered, Dorgu arrives as the first building block in Amorim’s rebrand.

Nasser Djiga (Wolves)

Vitor Pereira will be pleased with Wolves’ business this winter. Wolves fended off suitors for Matheus Cunha, who committed his future to the club with a new deal.

Elsewhere, Emmanuel Agbadou, Nasser Djiga and Marshall Munetsi add real physical presence. Agbadou has already impressed in the Old Gold and hopes are high that fellow centre-back Djiga can follow suit. The 22-year-old caught the eye in this season’s Champions League with Red Star Belgrade.

Read – Five of the best FA Cup fourth-round ties this weekend

See more – Five things to look out for in the FA Cup fourth round

Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok