Another weekend of Premier League football kicks off on Saturday afternoon, and there are a number of intriguing storylines at both ends of the table.
Below, Sports Mole picks out three individuals who are stealing the headlines in the build-up to the latest set of fixtures.
1. Juan Cuadrado
Not may things get supporters as excited as a big-money signing. After weeks of speculation Juan Cuadrado finally completed his £261.m move to Chelsea on transfer deadline, and the Colombian arrives in West London with a big reputation and plenty of pressure on his shoulders.
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Despite dominating for much of the campaign and currently leading the Premier League, Jose Mourinho felt the need to strengthen his squad in the transfer window, with both Andre Schurrle and Mohamed Salah making room for the arrival of Cuadrado. It's clear that Mourinho rates the winger highly, and if he is to fit into the Chelsea system, he will be expected to stick to his defensive task as well as create magic in attacking areas. The trip to face Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon will give Cuadrado the chance to make his debut, even from the start or the bench, and plenty of intrigued fans will be eager to see what he can bring to the squad.
After a superb World Cup campaign and a number of years of giving Serie A defenders nightmares, Cuadrado looks in good shape to make the step up to the Premier League. He won't be judged on his first display, but both Mourinho and the Chelsea fans will be desperate to see their new man hit the ground running.
2. Danny Ings
Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Real Sociedad. All three clubs are reported to be interested in Danny Ings, but there was no late bid on transfer deadline day for the Burnley striker, and the race for his signature has been postponed until the summer when he looks set to become a free agent. The window may be closed, but the uncertainty surrounding Ings remains. After last weekend's 2-0 defeat to Sunderland, Burnley boss Sean Dyche admitted that he felt the speculation was having a negative impact on his top-scorer.
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If that is the case, the Clarets will be hopeful that the end of the transfer window will see him get back to his best. It may have been tempting to sell him last month, but the fact is that Burnley will need Ings if they are to stand any chance of staying in the Premier League. After scoring the goals which led them to promotion last season, there is even greater pressure on him to lead them to safety. A couple of months filled with below-par displays could see him leave Turf Moor in the summer with a blemished record, but a few more crucial goals would see him depart a hero.
It's a test of Dyche's man-management skills and a question of character for Ings. Can Dyche inspire Ings to one final impressive run in a Burnley shirt? Their battle to avoid the drop continues against West Bromwich Albion on Sunday afternoon. Ings will take centre stage once again.
3. Steve Bruce
When you're under pressure to bring a poor run to an end, a trip to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City is unlikely to be high on the to-do list. However, that's the task that faces Steve Bruce on Saturday afternoon. After spending a reported £40m in the summer, Hull City were expected to build on a promising return to the Premier League. However, hopes of a safe mid-table finish look unlikely heading into the 24th round of fixtures. The Tigers have managed to win just four games this season and currently sit in 18th spot, two points off the bottom of the table.
We've seen it before. One win can bring two or three, and all of a sudden a club has pulled away from the relegation fight. However, the pressure on Bruce to find that result is greater than ever. A 3-0 loss to Newcastle United last Saturday was deemed by many to be one of their worst displays of the season, and the regular changes of personnel and shape just don't appear to be working for Hull.
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Bruce has insisted that he still has the backing of the club, despite reports suggesting that Bolton Wanderers manager Neil Lennon was being lined up as a possible replacement. If Bruce's claims are true, it is refreshing to see a side keep faith with a manager who has enjoyed so much success. The Tigers boss will be eager to silence his doubters as soon as possible. A meeting with the Premier League champions may not be an ideal, but a positive result against Manuel Pellegrini's side could be a turning point in a frustrating campaign.
