Dede Ayew to get Chelsea baptism

Andre Dede Ayew is relishing his debut in the English Premier League after formalising a four-year deal with Swansea last week

However, the former Marseille star has been handed a tough call as he and his Swansea side come up against defending champions, Chelsea in the opening day of the 2015/2016 season with the release of the EPL fixtures.

Swansea will trek to Stamford Bridge on the weekend of August 8, wary of the 0-5 routing they received at the hands of Chelsea last January.

After Chelsea, Swansea will host Newcastle on Match Day 2, travel to Sunderland on Match Day 3, then play Manchester United on Match Day 4, before facing Watford on Match Day 5.

For his Black Stars’ team mate, Christian Atsu, who has joined EPL debutants, Bournemouth another loan deal, it may be a relatively easier opening as he hopes to revive his Premiership career after a topsy-turvy time on loan at Everton. Bournemouth will be at home to Aston Villa on August 8.

However, it could be tougher for Atsu and his team as they face Liverpool, West Ham, Leicester City and Norwich City in the first five matches.

The fixtures also ruled out an early clash between the two Ghana stars, as they fixture has pitched them against each other on Match Day 13, which falls on November 21.

With Jeffrey Schlupp’s proposed move to Arsenal not a done deal yet, he may be on duty for Leicester City against Sunderland on the opening day, then play West Ham, Tottenham on the Match Days 2 and 3 before clashing with Atsu’s Bournemouth on Match Day 4.
The fixtures for the 2015-16 League season released last Wednesday, will kickoff on the weekend of August 8 and 9, also have Manchester United opening their title chase against Tottenham Hotspurs at Old Trafford.

Manchester City will start at West Bromwich Albion.

At United, Louis van Gaal is trying to deliver the team's first title since 2013 under Alex Ferguson. After hosting Tottenham in their first match, United will play Aston Villa, Newcastle, Swansea, then Liverpool at Old Trafford on September 12.

Liverpool also have an immediate chance to avenge a 1-6 loss at Stoke on the final day of last season, after being selected to go back to the stadium to start the new campaign.

On other opening match day fixtures, Arsenal will host West Ham, Leicester City are hosts to Sunderland, Newcastle will host Southampton with Norwich City playing Crystal Palace.