The Premier League returns this weekend – but some players will be under more pressure than others to be back with a bang.
England’s top-flight ground to a sudden halt after the opening five matchweeks for an unprecedented three-week international break.
However, defending champions Arsenal will officially end the 19-day hiatus at home to Leeds on Saturday to kickstart a festival of football.
For talkSPORT’s Gabby Agbonlahor, three players will be under the spotlight as much as the clubs they represent this weekend.
The Aston Villa legend picked out a trio of stars when discussing the fixtures on the talkSPORT Breakfast show with co-host Alan Brazil.
Johan Manzambi is going to get better and better
The Switzerland midfielder, who was one of the breakout stars of the 2026 World Cup, scored two goals over the national league break.
The 20-year-old underlined why there was such a clamour to sign him on his first Premier League start with a goal and assist in the 3-2 win away to Tottenham just before the hiatus.
Asked how good he can be, Agbonlahor replied: “That performance against Spurs – for me, he was the man of the match.
“He was everywhere. He’s playing that Morgan Rogers role. That number 10 role – Just looks like he’s having fun…little touches, he drifts, he’s got tricks.
“He can get into the box and score goals like he scored his goal.
I think he’s going to be an asset to Aston Villa, and he’s going to get better and better.”
Florian Wirtz handed warning
The Germany star has enjoyed a new lease of life under former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp over the break.
Wirtz captained his country for the goalless draw with Greece after scoring a stunning individual effort in a 2-0 win over Serbia.
The 23-year-old is yet to open an account at club level this term, with just a solitary assist in five Premier League appearances.
Wirtz, who has flattered to deceive since his £116million move to Anfield, has been set down a marker by Agbonlahor to carry his Germany form into Liverpool’s Super Sunday clash with Manchester City.
“Maybe the international break came at a good time for him because he scored a fantastic goal for Germany.
“The ball gets wrapped into him,” Agbonlahor continued. “He does an amazing sort of Cruyff turn, slides it down into the corner of the net: Fantastic finish. He’s got to do that in a Liverpool shirt.
“He’s got one assist in five Premier League appearances this season. No goals.
“This is the sort of game. Manchester City are coming to Anfield. You’ve been brought for £115 million. Go and show why Liverpool made that investment in you.
“Fingers crossed he can do it, because I like him. Talented player.”
Ismaila Sarr set Crystal Palace transfer
The Eagles talisman is back fit to start his first Premier League match of the season following a turbulent summer window.
The 28-year-old was heavily linked with a move away from Selhurst Park and made clear his preference to make a switch to Anfield.
Yet Sarr was denied his request to leave, with chairman Steve Parish since revealing it was never on the cards with the money involved.
Agbonlahor added: “He owes the Crystal Palace fans, because he tried to force through a move. Crystal Palace didn’t want to sell him.
“He’s had a bit of time off. I think he might have had a little knock.
He’s got to get his head right.
“He’s got to now put in performances for Crystal Palace. They need him.
“You look at the table again and Crystal Palace have four points from five games. He scored nine Premier League goals last season.
“That’s a good amount of goals for someone who plays in his position for Crystal Palace.
“They need him. They’ve got exciting players. [Jean-Philippe] Mateta is still a fantastic player. [Jørgen] Strand Larsen is scoring goals.
“[Yéremy] Pino is a good, talented player, but they missed that running power of Sarr, and with nine goals last season, they could do with those goals coming again this season.
“But if I’m a Crystal Palace fan, you need to show that you love Crystal Palace because I’m sure he let a lot of the fans down.”
