5:20 AM ET
Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford are both in need of a good season. Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images

The superstars are used to pressure. A lot of big names in Europe are either fighting for their futures or feeling the weight of expectation. The new campaign will put 10 people under the microscope.

Harry Maguire, Manchester United

The Manchester United centre-back has gone from being named in the Team of the Tournament after England's run to the final of last summer's Euro 2020 to being booed by a section of his own fans at a recent friendly.

After becoming the world's most expensive defender, the United captain was made a scapegoat for much of United's struggles last season and now needs to convince the new boss that he will keep the captain's job. A race against time to fix his lack of mobility, pace and inability to deal with opponents running in behind him, as well as prove his suitability to remain the mainstay of the defense, is what Maguire faces.

Marcus Rashford, Manchester United

During the past year, the 24-year-old has looked completely bereft of confidence, once considered to be one of the most energetic forwards in Europe. In the past, he would slide past opponents in the last third with his excellent balance, close control and change of pace, but recently he has looked hesitant and sluggish.

With a more intense, high-pressing style of football likely to be introduced by Ten Hag, Marcus Rashford needs to rediscover the things that made him such a decisive figure for both club and country. He's already scored two goals in preseason, after only scoring two in the whole of the previous year.

- DONE DEALS: All the latest big transfers

- Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)

- Don't have ESPN? Get instant access

Roberto Firmino, Liverpool

Firmino was one of the main players in the revival of the club over the past seven years. If he's to be offered similar terms, the 30-year-old Brazil forward will have to prove himself again.

Firmino can still make an impact in a bit-part role even though he is no longer a starter for the Reds. With the World Cup coming up, he is under a lot of pressure to take his chances.

play

In his first season in the premier league, Erling Haaland will be under a lot of pressure.

Erling Haaland, Manchester City

If Haaland doesn't get off to a good start in the English top flight, his reputation will be meaningless. The most spectacular signing of the summer, the Norway forward will face a lot more scrutiny than he did at his previous club, where his goals were a bonus rather than the catalyst to close the gap.

Haaland is expected to be one of the main difference makers in helping City win the first European trophy of their career. Maybe his high self-confidence will make the challenge easier to complete.

Toni Kroos, Real Madrid

As he nears his ninth season at the LaLiga and European champion, he finds himself with more competition for a place in the side. It's expected that last year's transfer deadline signing, Eduardo Camavinga, and newly arrived Aurelien Tchouameni, are both world-famous.

Even at the elite level of the European game, few players match the intelligence of Kroos or his ability to perform multiple tasks in the middle, but with just a year left on his contract, he needs a big season to show why he should stay in Madrid.

Romelu Lukaku, Inter Milan

The former chief executive of AS Monaco is a Norwegian football scout and executive. He will be writing about soccer and the process of scouting.

The 115m return of the Belgian player was a flop. Having contributed a lot to Inter's success, with 24 goals, Romelu never looked comfortable in Thomas Tuchel's more possession-based approach and ended up with just eight goals.

He won't play under new boss Simone Inzaghi's style of football, but the Inter fans will still expect a carbon copy of the imposing, energetic forward who combined so well with Lautaro.

William Saliba, Arsenal

The 21-year-old centre-back has yet to play for the club in an official match despite joining from Saint-Etienne for 30m. He won himself a regular slot in the France senior side after two outstanding campaigns in the French league on loan. He is going to come back to the Emirates with a lot of hope.

Mikel Arteta found a balance to his defence last season, with Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes the first-choice pair, so it's not a sure thing that Saliba will walk into the first XI. Though White can be shifted to right-back and Arteta will want to have plenty of depth, Saliba will need to fight hard and stay patient.

play

Reports that Paris Saint-Germain want him to leave are discussed by the two men.

Neymar, Paris-Saint Germain

Five years after joining Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona for a world-record 222m, sources told ESPN that they are willing to listen to offers for the player, even though his contract is about to end.

With eight goals in seven games, the Brazilian forward enjoyed an inspired end to the season, but questions remain as to whether more should be expected from such an icon. It will be interesting to see how he reacts to the fact that the club and their fans are not very happy with him.

Sadio Mane, Bayern Munich

The pressure to replace Robert Lewandowski up front will be difficult to deal with, as the 30-year-old is undoubtedly capable of becoming a star for the German champions. Even though the two players have completely different technical profiles, they will inevitably be compared. Tel is 17 years old and will be spared the spotlight for a while. He will need to show that he was worth the money.

Leonardo Bonucci, Juventus

The responsibility of keeping the centre of the Bianconeri's defence together lies with the 35-year-old this season. Replacing two proven quality centre-backs is no mean feat and, beyond the first-choice pair, the defence looks to lack depth. Injuries have been an issue for Bonucci over the past couple of seasons, but he can still rely on more.