The MLS gets more exciting every year, as the reputation of the league continues to grow.

Although the typical opinion of the MLS is that it’s a retirement home, there is a real desire to attract star players as well as bringing through high potential prospects.

The latter desire seems to be materialising nicely, with a wide range of young talent birthing their careers throughout the league.

The most notable examples are Alphonso Davies of Bayern Munich (who came through the ranks of Vancouver Whitecaps) and Tyler Adams of RB Leipzig (who made his name at New York Red Bulls).

Tyler Adams (left) representing New York Red Bulls and Alphonso Davies (right) for Vancouver Whitecaps.

Of course the MLS has also been proven to revive careers in recent years, with Josef Martinez, Sebastian Giovinco and Carlos Vela being among the most notable examples.

Former USMNT defender Jimmy Conrad said; “As players grown or developed here have success, like Tyler Adams, or those who use MLS as a stepping stone to something bigger like Miguel Almiron, then the respect for the league will continue to grow.” (in an interview with Bleacher Report in 2019).

Miguel Almirón made his name at Atlanta United and convinced Premier League side Newcastle United to splash out around £21 million for his services.

As more high profile players continue to make the switch to the MLS, here are five former Premier League players to look out for in the 2020/21 MLS season:

Javier Hernández

Javier Hernandez on his debut for LA Galaxy vs Houston Dynamo.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid Striker endured a successful career in Europe.

However at 31-years of age, Chicharito’s game time and end product seem to be declining, so a move to the MLS could be just what he needs to kickstart his career.

Although he blanked against Houston Dynamo in his inaugural MLS debut, I’m confident that Chicharito will find his feet and justify why LA Galaxy brought him in as a designated player.

Victor Wanyama

At 28-years-old, Montreal Impact have bagged a player who is theoretically in the prime of his career.

The signing of Wanyama reflects the MLS’ primary objective of escaping the ‘Retirement Home’ tag that has haunted them in recent years.

The Kenyan midfielder has found game time hard to come by at Spurs this season, so a move elsewhere seems logical.

Joining as a designated player, Wanyama is most definitely a player to keep an eye on this season.

Jürgen Locadia

FC Cincinnati have an option to buy the Netherlands Forward.

Things haven’t quite worked out for Jürgen Locadia at Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League.

At just 26-years of age though, it’s clear that the Netherlands Forward still has a lot more to give.

Locadia found himself on a season long loan at Hoffenheim at the start of the season and despite scoring 4 goals in 12 appearances, he was recalled and sent out on a short term loan to FC Cincinnati - with the MLS side having an option to buy after his loan spell ends on July 5th.

He’s already scored on his debut in the 3-2 defeat against New York Red Bulls, in which he came on as a substitute with twenty-six minutes to go.

In my opinion, this is a huge signing for the MLS and again reflects their ambition.

Expect to see Locadia among the goals this season.

Winston Reid

It’s been a year to forget for Winston Reid, who has proven his ability in the last decade at West Ham United.

The New Zealand international has been out with a knee injury and has spent the last year trying to return back to fitness. Now fully fit, his move to Sporting Kansas City comes at a perfect time.

At age 31, he’s been given an opportunity to gain regular game time and kick-start his career again.

Premier League fans alike will know all about Winston Reid and how good he can be, so he’ll be a player to look out for in the 2020 MLS Season.

Bojan Krkić

Bojan has been at Montreal Impact since the 2019 season, so he’s technically not a new signing.

However, like the title says, he’s proving to be a player to look out for this season - due to a change in tactics by Impact manager Thierry Henry.

The former Barcelona man is now being played as a central striker in a front-three set-up, rather than playing behind the striker as an attacking midfielder.

At just 29-years-old, Bojan can build on an already successful start to life with Montreal and with the signing of Wanyama to sure up the midfield, Bojan can focus on attacking returns in his more advanced role.

Keep an eye on the Journeyman.

In your opinion:

Which former Premier League player will have the best season in MLS?

Comment Below.

Article by: Samuel Slaney

Thumbnail by: Samuel Slaney

Images from: MLS, Getty Images & Footy Renders

Five Former Premier League players to look out for in the 2020 MLS Season