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Opinion
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We’re ten games into the Premier League season - far enough for first impressions to evolve into something more telling and for the table to begin to take some shape. The transfer window’s chaos has settled, the deadline-day dust has cleared, and the summer’s big moves are starting to look like either masterstrokes or miscalculations. From headline arrivals living up to the hype to quiet bargains proving invaluable, each club’s summer business can now be assessed - and it’s time to make the calls.
It’s part data, part instinct - but after ten games, the picture is clear enough to name my signing of the summer for each of the 20 Premier League clubs. The fees taken to sign the player have been taken into account, as well as their impact on the team and prospects for the future. The teams have been listed in the order of the current Premier League table.
Signing of the summer for each Premier League club
Arsenal - Martín Zubimendi
It hasn't been an electric start for striker Viktor Gyökeres, whilst Eberechi Eze is also still adapting to his new surroundings. For Arsenal, it became a toss up between two players: young defender Christhian Mosquera, signed from Valencia for €15 million or midfielder Martín Zubimendi, brought in for €70m from Real Sociedad. I just about went for the latter. The Gunners midfield has needed rejuvenating for sometime and there was immense pressure on Arsenal to get this right. So far, the Spaniard has oozed quality and began to show why so many top teams wanted him - his footballing brain is elite and he will be vital to any trophy hopes Arsenal have this season.
Manchester City - Gianluigi Donnarumma
Early on in the season, it looked like Tijjani Reijnders would be Manchester City's selection - the Dutchman made a fast start, but his influence has begun to wain in recent weeks. Whilst Erling Haaland is imperative at one end of the field, you could argue their second most important player is now new goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. Signed for just €30m after playing a crucial role in PSG winning the Champions League last season, the Italian looks a steal and remains one of the best shot-stoppers in the game.
Liverpool - Hugo Ekitiké
Much has been made of the slow start for mega-money signings Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, but whilst that pair have struggled, Frenchman Hugo Ekitiké has quickly adapted to his new home and has been one of the few shining lights in Liverpool's disappointing start to the season. The 23-year-old was signed from Frankfurt for €95m and already has five goals for his new club and an elegant playing style that excites fan. However, Arne Slot still has the challenge of trying to fit Ekitiké and Isak into the same team.
Sunderland - Granit Xhaka
Sunderland had an extremely busy summer transfer window, breaking the record for the most money spent by a team promoted to the Premier League. It's been a fairytale start for the Black Cats on their return to the top-flight, and whilst many of the new stars have began tremendously, Granit Xhaka has been the glue that has brought together this new team. The Swiss international, brought in for €15m from Bayer Leverkusen and given the club captaincy, has provided steel, quality and leadership in midfield, and with each passing week is looking more and more of a masterstroke signing.
Bournemouth - Adrien Truffert
Bournemouth have been another surprise package this term. After losing four of their starting back five over the summer, many felt the Cherries would fail to replicate the standards of last season's mid-table finish, but Andoni Iraola continues to work miracles. I have selected the €14m signing of left-back Adrien Truffert from Stade Rennes as their best signing to date, with the Frenchman seamlessly replacing Milos Kerkez for the South-coast side.
Tottenham - Mohammed Kudus
It has been a strange start to the season for Tottenham. They are sixth in the table just two points behind second, but were boo'd off in their last Premier League match against Chelsea after a woeful display. They have lacked creativity at times, but the biggest spark in their front-line has been Mohammed Kudus. The Ghanian was brought in from West Ham for €64m, and already has five assists in 10 Premier League games.
Chelsea - Estêvão
Forward João Pedro is unlucky to miss out as he has already become a key component to Chelsea's attack, but for the Blues it has to be teenage talent Estêvão. The €45m the West London paid Palmeiras for the Brazilian teenager already looks a real bargain, and with a market value of €60m, he is the third most valuable U18 player in world football right now. He already has his first Premier League and Champions League goal for the club and the future looks incredibly bright for the 18-year-old.
Manchester United - Bryan Mbeumo
For Manchester United, it was a toss up between goalkeeper Senne Lammens and winger Bryan Mbeumo. Matheus Cunha may have also been in with a shout had he stayed fit. But I have opted for Mbeumo. The €75m fee was admittedly expensive but the Cameroonian has already added so much to the Red Devils front-line. He has scored five goals in 11 games and has the ability to take a game by the scruff of the neck.
Crystal Palace - Yéremy Pino
Crystal Palace continue to upset the odds under Oliver Glasner. They have already beaten the Premier League champions Liverpool three times this season in all competitions, as well as taking points off of Chelsea. Losing Eze in the summer was of course a huge blow, but replacing him with young Spanish winger Yéremy Pino could have been a very well calculated risk. The 23-year-old has bags of talent, highlighted by his very well taken goal against the Reds in the EFL Cup. The fee of just €30m which was paid to Villarreal could prove to be a bargain.
Brighton - Maxim De Cuyper
A difficult pick as none of Brighton's summer signings have become first-team regulars just yet, as is often the case with the Seagulls recruitment system. I have gone with left-back Maxim De Cuyper, signed from Club Brugge for €20m, the Belgian has started 50% of Brighton's Premier League matches and may just be another smart long-term signing from the South-coast side.
Aston Villa - Marco Bizot
Aston Villa was probably the hardest selection of all 20 teams. They had a quiet summer and no new signing has made a huge impact. Jadon Sancho and Harvey Elliott have both played very little since their loan moves, whilst forward Evan Guessand still looks off the pace. With this in mind, I have selected goalkeeper Marco Bizot, who was brought in for just €500k from French side and has already proved himself to be an adequate back-up to Emiliano Martínez. An uninspiring, but somewhat forced choice.
Brentford - Jordan Henderson
Some fans ridiculed Brentford for turning to 35-year-old Jordan Henderson this summer, after the former Liverpool captain had spent time in Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands. However, the free transfer has proved to be an inspiring signing, with Henderson's experience being pivotal to the Bees early season success. His performance against his former side Liverpool in Brentford's 3-2 win really stood out.
Newcastle - Malick Thiaw
The easy answer to this one may have been Nick Woltemade and the big German would certainly warrant the signing of the summer tag - he has started very well in a Newcastle shirt. But due to the high €75m fee paid, I have opted to go for defender Malick Thiaw who has been a colossus at the back for the Toon. The West Ham defeat aside, in which the whole Newcastle team were awful, Thiaw has adapted very well to the Premier League and his physicality has been impressive - the €35m paid to AC Milan could turn out to be very astute business.
Everton - Jack Grealish
For Everton, it has to be Jack Grealish. After completing his loan move in the summer, he already has accumulated over double the amount of Premier League goal contributions for the Toffees (5) in just nine matches than he managed in the whole of last season for Manchester City (2). He is playing with a smile on his face again and when he's at it, there's not many players better to watch. Him and Iliman Ndiaye are the shining lights in this Everton team right now.
Fulham - Kevin
It was slim pickings at Fulham after the West London club endured a quiet summer. So I have opted for their most expensive acquisition, and yes it is partly because he is a Brazilian called Kevin. The 22-year-old hasn't had a huge impact at Craven Cottage, but he has shown glimpses of real skill and flair and some reports suggest Liverpool are already scouting him. The €40m fee they paid to Shakthar Donetsk was high, but there is excitement around Kevin's future.
Leeds - Anton Stach
Like the other promoted sides, there are plenty of new faces to choose from at Leeds, but the new signing who has made the biggest impact so far has to be German midfielder Anton Stach. His exquisite free-kick against Wolves was without doubt the highlight so far, but his overall quality and creativity has seen him stand out. The 26-year-old was brought in from Hoffenheim for €20m this summer.
Burnley - Quilindschy Hartman
Many Feyenoord supporters were disappointed that Burnley were able to prize away left-back Quilindschy Hartman for just €10m this summer. He is an explosive player with real quality, both going forward and defensively. He has only missed two minutes of action for the Clarets in the Premier League this season and already has four assists in his first 10 matches. A smart signing.
West Ham - El Hadji Malick Diouf
West Ham's start to the season has been nothing short of disastrous, as has their recruitment in recent years. However, one player they may have got it right on is industrious full-back El Hadji Malick Diouf. The 20-year-old Senegalese international already has three Premier League assists and his pace and power make him suited to a bright future in the English top-flight.
Nottingham Forest - Igor Jesus
Nottingham Forest once again had a very busy few months with plenty of new faces, including two new managers. Many of the new signings have been starved of first-team opportunities so far, but one player who has shown some early promise is Brazilian forward Igor Jesus. He arrived for just €19m from Botafogo and he has three goals in three games in the Europa League and two goals in the EFL Cup. Jesus has also now begun starting games in the Premier League under Sean Dyche and the future looks bright.
Wolves - Ladislav Krejci
Right now, it's hard to see Wolves being a Premier League side next season. They are still yet to win a game this term. In the summer they failed to properly replace the star players they sold and they are paying the price. But from the players they did bring in, defender Ladislav Krejci looks to be the most solid. Arriving from Girona on an initial lucrative loan but with a view to make the deal permanent next summer, there is high hopes of a big future from the Czech Republic international.
