The 2024-25 Premier League season is both a new opportunity to impress for every player... and a chance for it all to crumble around them.
With that in mind, Standard Sport writers have picked one player from every London club who has extra pressure to contend with in the new season.
James Maddison (Tottenham)
After making a flying start at Spurs, a serious ankle injury, followed by a disappointing second half of last season, saw Maddison briefly dropped by Ange Postecoglou and then miss out on a place in the England squad for Euro 2024. He has looked sharp pre-season, but now faces fresh competition for a place from Swedish teenager Lucas Bergvall.
At 27, Maddison should be in his prime, but faces a battle to ensure he is a key player for club and country.
Reece James (Chelsea)
Less than two years ago, James was being targeted by Real Madrid after establishing himself as one of the most dynamic right-backs in the world. But a string of injury problems derailed his career and he made only 11 appearances for Chelsea last season.
James is suspended for the first three Premier League games and has also suffered another hamstring setback in pre-season. When he does return, he faces a fight with Malo Gusto for his place. And another injury-hit season could raise doubts over his future.
Emile Smith Rowe (Fulham)
After taking the difficult decision to leave Arsenal, Smith Rowe hopes his £34million move to Craven Cottage can reignite his career. The attacking midfielder fell out of favour under Mikel Arteta and played just 346 minutes in the Premier League last season.
Fulham believe he can get back to his best and he has looked sharp in his preferred No10 position. He has bundles of talent and if he can regain form and confidence, then can get himself back in contention for an England call up.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (Arsenal)
The Ukrainian endured a difficult second season with Arsenal and, at times, lost his place in the team to Jakub Kiwior and Takehiro Tomiyasu. He faces even more competition this season, after Arsenal spent £42m on Riccardo Calafiori, while Jurrien Timber is fit again.
With two years left on his contract, he faces a big season to prove he is still a key part of Arteta’s project.
Big things are expected of the Germany striker, who joined West Ham for £27m as part of their summer recruitment drive under new manager Julen Lopetegui.
Fullkrug is a throwback centre-forward and, while he is coming off the back an impressive season for Borussia Dortmund, bringing in a 31-year-old with no Premier League experience is a gamble. West Ham have been desperate to sign a top-level striker to lead the line and they need Fullkrug to hit the ground running.
There will be lots of attention on Wharton after he was thrust into public consciousness by his England call-up for Euro 2024.
The midfielder starred for Palace in the second half of last season after his £22.5m move from Blackburn in January, but now he will have to deal with a new level of expectation.
Ivan Toney (Brentford)
It remains to be seen whether Toney is still at Brentford by the end of the transfer window, but wherever he is playing, this feels like a big season. Manchester United continue to be linked with Toney, and he could finally get the big move he has been after.
If he stays at Brentford, he will want to re-establish himself as one of the best strikers in the top flight before he likely goes onto the market as a free agent next summer.
