Real Madrid's Eden Hazard among five new signings who must deliver when football returns

Here, we look at five 2019 summer signings who will be desperate to turn things around.

MATTHIJS DE LIGT

Such were his superb performances and leadership in leading an exciting young Ajax side to the 2019 Champions League semi-finals that every elite club in Europe had thrown their hat in the ring to acquire Matthijs de Ligt.

The 20-year-old defender was held among the finest players in football with some even suggesting that he was the closest thing to compatriot Virgil van Dijk.

De Ligt snubbed interest from several European powerhouses to make a smart move to Juventus for €75 million. The reasoning behind the transfer was sound. He could develop as an understudy to the likes of Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci before stamping his authority on Serie A.

Things have not gone according to plan though as a serious injury knee for Chiellini early in the season forced De Ligt to step up.

He’s been something of a mixed bag, showing a few flashes of brilliance but also having his inexperience exposed. Maurizio Sarri has even had to drop the star centre-back on a few occasions.

With Chiellini back fit though, the Dutchman can return to learning from the master and gradually grow accustomed to his new surroundings when things resume.

EDEN HAZARD

After seven fantastic seasons at Chelsea, most of which he ended as their best player, Eden Hazard fully earned his dream move to Real Madrid for a reported €100m fee.

The weight of expectation has proved taxing for the talented Belgian and he’s struggled to impress during his 15 appearances in all competitions so far.

That said, his first season at the Santiago Bernabeu has largely been hampered by a couple of injuries and a lack of fitness.

After nearly three months out he returned against Celta Vigo in mid-February and put on an excellent display, winning a penalty and going off to a standing ovation in the 73rd minute.

Six days later though, he fractured his ankle at Levante. It’s been a disappointing first season in the Spanish capital for Hazard but there’s enough to suggest that he will eventually deliver for Los Blancos once he can remain fit.

MOISE KEAN

With six goals in 13 Serie A appearances last season, a star was born at Juventus in Moise Kean.

He was among the hottest prospects in Europe and when Everton landed him for €27.5 million, plus €2.5 million in add-ons, it was seen as a massive coup.

The youngster has struggled to find his feet in England though and 22 appearances for the Toffees has yielded just one goal.

He left Juventus because he wanted to play regularly and had illustrious forwards like Cristiano Ronaldo, Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain ahead of him in the pecking order.

Now, he can’t get into an Everton side playing with two up front as Carlo Ancelotti favours the duo of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison – a winger by trade.

It must however be remembered that Kean has only just turned 20 and adjusting to a new league and culture can’t be easy. In his pursuit of redemption, time is most certainly on his side.

ADEMOLA LOOKMAN

In the second half of the 2017/18 season, Ademola Lookman’s loan move from Everton to RB Leipzig paid off. The electric winger played with freedom and bamboozled Bundesliga defences as he scored five times in 11 appearances.

Having finally secured a return to the club on a permanent basis last summer, his second spell in the German top flight has not gone the same way. He’s come into a different team – a stronger one – and is having to impress a new, and demanding, young coach in Julian Nagelsmann.

Leipzig are flying high in the league, occupying third place, five points behind leaders Bayern Munich. But Lookman has largely been a spectator, managing only 168 minutes of Bundesliga action this season. That’s a poor return for a player who cost over €22m.

The good news is that Nagelsmann is one of the best minds in football and Lookman admits he’s given him plenty of encouragement, urging him to express himself and play with freedom.

It could just be that focus and patience is all that’s required for Lookman to stop being overlooked.

JUNIOR FIRPO

When Barcelona were in the market for a replacement for the aging Jordi Alba last summer, Junior Firpo stood out as the obvious choice and the Catalans duly spent €18m on the Real Betis full-back before add-ons to bring him to Camp Nou.

He has had few good performances of note though during Alba’s absence through injury, leaving many to question whether he is in fact the long-term replacement they need.

Firpo has struggled to settle in at Barca and reports of a falling out with Lionel Messi has done him no favours. There’s even speculation that the club may already be looking out for a new left-back.

There’s no denying that Firpo showed all the right attributes at Betis and in matches against Eibar, Getafe and Atletico Madrid this season, he’s shown how good he can be.

He may just need to string together a consistent run of performances to turn the tide in his favour.