The Premier League's African contingent for the 26-27 season contains established stars, expensive newcomers, young up-and-comers, and journeymen about to embark on the biggest year of their career.
Here are ESPN's 12 African storylines to keep tabs on -- and players to watch -- in the English top flight this coming year.
Carlos Baleba - Brighton & Hove Albion
A year on and it's the same old story for Baleba as the season begins; he remains on the books of Brighton, but appearing to be on the cusp of a move to Manchester United.
A transfer didn't work out last year for the Cameroon international, and his form suffered as a result, with head coach Fabian Hurzeler accusing the youngster of allowing the failed move to distract him.
To be honest, Baleba never truly regained his 24-25 form last term, although with Casemiro having departed, United's need for a central midfielder is greater than 12 months ago.
Still only 22, he'll surely learn under Michael Carrick, while he'll likely arrive at a more stable Old Trafford environment than he would have done last summer.
Amad Diallo - Manchester United
A potential teammate awaiting Baleba at United is Diallo, who is returning to club action after an encouraging FIFA World Cup with the Ivory Coast.
While some suggested he was underused by Emerse Fae, he nonetheless registered a fine winner against Ecuador and the equaliser in the ill-fated Last 16 bout with Norway.
Now 24, he's no longer the young prospect he once was, and despite flashes under - in particular - Ruben Amorim, this has to be the season where Diallo establishes a consistent starting role for himself at United.
Technically excellent, elusive in tight spots, and capable of the spectacular, can he become one of the league's genuine attractions?
Iliman Ndiaye - Everton
Another player who was underutilised at the World Cup, but nonetheless stole the show, Ndiaye played just 113 minutes, but still scored once and registered two assists, serving a reminder of just what an irresistible talent he is.
He's one of the league's most watchable players, and a technical magician, although there still remains a sense that David Moyes hasn't truly got the best out of him - or even decided how best to use him - at Everton.
Amidst rumoured interest from Saudi Arabia, and reports that the 26-year-old has refused a new deal, it remains to be seen if he will stay at Goodison Park. If he remains, the playmaker must improve on his return of nine direct goal involvements last term.
Nicolas Jackson - Chelsea
Despite hopes earlier in the offseason -- following the conclusion of his loan spell at Bayern Munich -- that Jackson could return to Chelsea to get a second shot at life at Stamford Bridge, things have grown increasingly unclear.
Xabi Alonso has spoken positively of the striker, who struggled to impress at the World Cup, but the Telegraph have reported this week that the 25-year-old is one of up to 12 Chelsea players who have been instructed to train away from the first team.
It's the clearest indication yet that there will be no West London reprieve for the 6'2 frontman, and amidst transfer rumours of a switch to Aston Villa, this critical season in Jackson's career becomes even more uncertain.
A transfer to reunite with former Villarreal head coach Unai Emery at Villa Park could be a wise move for all parties.
Antoine Semenyo - Manchester City
Semenyo was outstanding upon his arrival at Manchester City, immediately adapting to life at one of Europe's genuine heavyweights, while also netting a delicious winner in the FA Cup final.
While the departure of Pep Guardiola deprives the Ghana international of the opportunity of further tutelage and guidance under the Spaniard's watch, and his challenge this term will be to build on his encouraging start to life at City.
Competition for minutes will be fierce - as ever - although it's a reasonable target for Semenyo to aim to surpass the 20-goal mark, while improving his burgeoning understanding with Erling Haaland.
Brandon Thomas-Asante - Coventry City
One of Semenyo's teammates with the Black Stars, Ghana surpassed expectations by reaching the Last 16 of the World Cup, although Thomas-Asante may be frustrated at only getting 51 minutes of action -- particularly after registering the decisive assist in the opener against Panama.
Having worked his way up through the lower leagues, Thomas-Asante gets his first taste of the top flight at 27, but -- speaking to ESPN recently -- made no secret of his excitement at being able to test himself in the world's greatest league.
"It's definitely a case of holding out and holding out, pushing, pushing," he said. "I'm grateful to God that the breakthrough has happened -- to be in the Premier League now, which is where I've always wanted to be, and believed I can be."
He'll bring pace, aggression and goals to Coventry's attack, but how will he fare with the step up in quality...and will he get enough minutes amidst increased competition?
Taiwo Awoniyi - Coventry City
One of those players arriving at Coventry to bolster the Sky Blues' attack upon their top flight return is Nigeria's Awoniyi, who signs from Nottingham Forest in a £9 million deal.
At 29, this is surely the last chance for the Super Eagles frontman at this level, with Awoniyi -- despite his intelligence, power and goalscoring instincts -- not hitting double figures in the PL since the 2022-23 season.
He scored just four last term, admittedly amidst injury absences, and Coventry will be expecting a lot more as they look to keep their heads above water.
Yoane Wissa - Newcastle United
This feels like an absolutely massive season for the DR Congo's Wissa, who certainly has a point to prove after a troubled 25-26.
Initially, injury slowed his progress after his signing from Brentford -- for an initial £50 million -- but even after opening his account in the EFL Cup in December, he'd only score one league goal during the entire campaign.
It was as a terrible debut season in the North East, given the fee, and at 29, much more is expected of one of the team's most experienced heads.
With Eddie Howe having departed, and the playing squad getting an overhaul, what role will Wissa play in this new-look Newcastle side?
Bryan Mbeumo - Manchester United
Once Wissa's sidekick at Brentford, Mbuemo has enjoyed considerably more success than his former teammate since departing West London.
In his first season at United, he proved that he belonged at that level, and helped the team ride out the storm of Amorim's final days, with his intelligent movement, consistency and tenacity winning over any admirers.
20 Prem goals should be the target - he achieved this with Brentford in 24-25 - but failure to score at all between early February and late May was a worrying slump that must not be repeated this season.
Omar Marmoush - Manchester City
Like a few others on this list, Marmoush stands on the brink of an uncertain season, having appeared to lose his way under Guardiola last term.
Despite his obvious qualities -- and his consistent goalscoring at Eintracht Frankfurt -- he ended the year with just three goals, being only afforded eight league starts under the Spaniard.
Whereas Semenyo's progress might be hurt by Guardiola's exit, Marmoush could have a new lease of life under Enzo Maresca.
He's certainly impressed during a pre-season victory over Atletico Madrid - netting twice - although talks of a potential move to Tottenham Hotspur continue to swirl.
Frank Onyeka - Coventry City
A third Coventry player on our list, Onyeka returns to get a second bite at the Premier League after - if we're being honest - failing to set the world alight while at Brentford.
While he wasn't always trusted as a nailed-on starter for the Bees under Thomas Frank, he came into his own in the second tier under Frank Lampard, and now has the opportunity to prove that he can be a success in the top tier.
His experience of having been in relegation battles with Brentford should prove invaluable, while the 28-year-old Onyeka will surely have one eye on next summer's Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria.
Ousmane Diomande - Nottingham Forest
It's not an exaggeration to say that Diomande has the potential to be Africa's next great centreback, and Forest -- whose defence has underpinned their consolidation in the Premier League -- should be an ideal environment for him to develop.
He eventually looked so comfortable at Sporting Lisbon that he was cruising in the Portuguese top flight, but the Prem will represent a clear examination of the 22-year-old's credentials.
Nonetheless, all of the raw materials are there for Diomande to become a truly elite modern central defender.