EPL Week 1 Picks: Players Poised for Breakout Seasons in New Surroundings

Transferring clubs is almost never easy for a player, especially when that transfer involves a cross-continental switch or the jump from one division to another.

The demands of adapting to not just a new team but the tactics of a fresh manager is something not every professional star is capable of and is a trial one sees season in, season out in the Premier League.

This summer has seen as many changes in terms of playing staff as any other campaign in the English top flight, with players swapping one club’s allegiances for another and also hopping borders in great quantity.

A “breakout season” is termed as being one of horizon expanding, reaching heights not seen in one’s career before, and the following candidates all have the potential to make that so during the 2013-14 term.

Simon Mignolet

Although just 24 years of age, Simon Mignolet already has a wealth of experience in England’s top tier, a chance first afforded to him by former Sunderland boss, Steve Bruce.

It was at the Stadium of Light that the Belgian international stuck out as an elite player amongst those who weren’t quite of the same standard. While that may sound like a bad thing, the lower quality of defending from the Black Cats actually permitted the goalkeeper to showcase his supreme shot-stopping talents, earning him a move to Liverpool this summer.

With a better defensive line in front of him, Mignolet can only hope that his clean-sheet record improves, although Brendan Rodgers can consider matters as reliable when it comes to his No. 1.

In truth, the last two campaigns can both be considered breakout seasons for the stopper, but his rising trajectory isn’t quite ready to stop there, one of the many trademarks of a world-class talent.

Emanuele Giaccherini

Another player now with Sunderland ties, Emanuele Giaccherini arrives in the northeast on the back of a Juventus campaign that saw him feature largely from the bench.

However, just because the 28-year-old was only able to muster 17 league appearances for a side who convincingly won a second consecutive Serie A player doesn’t indicate a bad pedigree. In fact, Paolo Di Canio may have orchestrated a fine piece of business in picking up his compatriot this summer.

Even Pope Francis looked happy to meet the player upon his visit with the Italian national team this week, per SAFCSource on Twitter:

Already an established Italian international, the winger should thrive in a starring role for the Black Cats as part of a Sunderland side set to undergo great change under Di Canio.

Already, Giaccherini has looked impressive in the Black Cats’ preseason and should only continue to improve as the year goes on.

Marco van Ginkel

Upon his arrival at Stamford Bridge, there was the notion that Marco van Ginkel would be but many of the Chelsea youngsters set to be loaned out rather than handed their chance in the club’s first team.

However, after shining with Vitesse Arnhem last season, the Dutchman has gone on to feature prominently in the Blues’ preseason and looks set to feature regularly in Jose Mourinho’s midfield.

Given the wealth of talent surrounding him in West London, Van Ginkel will either sink or swim in his new environment, but thankfully he has a lot of talented players to make up for any shortcomings that might appear.

Having netted eight goals and made 10 assists in Eredivisie competition last term, the box-to-box midfielder has a big impact in almost all areas of the pitch and could get an early lead on his Chelsea stardom this season.