As we approach the January transfer window, I thought I’d take a look back at the summer signings that have made a big impact in the Premier League, so far this season.

Obviously fans will disagree with my some of my choices and moan that I’ve left out one of their stars but I’ve decided not to include more than one buy per club and remember it’s just my opinion, it’s certainly not scientific. I have also tried to spread out the love to various positions on the park.

Spoiler alert: Romelu Lukaku, Alvaro Morata and Alexandre Lacazette didn’t make the list!

Please feel free to use the comments section to suggest anyone that you believe should’ve made the top five signings of the summer.

 

Mohamed Salah

Despite the money spent on the likes of Lukaku, Lacazette and Morata it’s Liverpool’s new forward Mo Salah that’s currently leading the goalscoring charts with thirteen league goals. He has also bagged five goals in six Champions League outings.

The dynamic hitman has scored against Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Merseyside rivals Everton and former side Chelsea. This proves he’s up for the big games and can make an impact too. Salah has also provided his teammates with four assists this term.

The Egyptian international has great pace, is a keen dribbler and loves a curled finish. Usually starts on the right, but can play anywhere in the frontline, and he’ll usually cut inside and put away the chance.

The forward has fitted in seamlessly alongside the other creative talents at Anfield. Philippe Coutinho in particular seems to effortlessly find Mohamed’s runs and provide him with chances to score. It should also be noted that Salah has a great touch and quick feet to skip away from challenges.

Proving to be a real bargain as the match winner only cost Jurgen Klopp £37m!

 

Ederson

The Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson seems to be the missing part of the jigsaw for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

At twenty-four years of age, the goalie has established himself as the sweeper keeper Pep was desperate for at the Eithad. Good with the ball at his feet and great at rushing out and clearing away any potential danger, he’ll do it even if it endangers his health as it did against Liverpool early in the year.

In seventeen Premier League fixtures, the keeper has an 84% passing success rate and no keeper in England’s top flight has conceded less. He has only conceded eleven in seventeen league appearances.

The City defence looks a lot stronger and more confident with Ederson playing behind them.

Helped Man City record a victory at Old Trafford over neighbours Manchester United, his double save in the second half was sublime!

He joined City from Benfica at a cost of £34.7m. That might be costly for a goalkeeper but it’s a snip for a match winner and he could be the difference that helps Man City to secure the league title.

Harry Maguire 

Harry was one of Hull City’s bright spots last season as the Tigers ultimately suffered relegation from the Premier League.

So it wasn’t too surprising to see the twenty four year old move on this summer and staying in the top division. It was Leicester City who moved extremely quickly to snap up the stepping central defender, signing the player in June.

The centre-back has been an ever present so far and he’s settled in well at the back. Claude Puel has turned the Foxes fortunes around, they are now sitting in eighth spot and Maguire has been influential in that happening.

Strong in the tackle, fantastic in the air (he’s won on average 3.1 headers per game) and he also has great concentration levels. He can also carry the ball well and take it out of the defensive areas.

The defender is also handy in the opposition penalty area as he has scored one and assisted in four others.

His form at Leicester has won him a call-up into the England senior set-up, he now has three caps and looks a cert to go to the World Cup next summer. At only £17m, purchasing Harry Maguire looks a brilliant piece of business from the Foxes.

 

Richarlison 

For much of the summer young Richarlison was linked with a move to Dutch giants Ajax but in the end Watford swooped in and purchased the talented Brazilian.

The twenty year old attacker had impressed at Fluminense and with Brazil’s under-20 side before making the move to Vicarage Road.

When your new signing gets linked with big clubs in the next window after you’ve just signed him, then you know he’s got something about him. Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs and Antonio Conte’s Chelsea have both been heavily linked with a move.

Hornets manager Marco Silva knows the skill-set his forward has and he clearly admires him:

“He’s a player with a lot of quality so it’s normal if everybody starts to pay attention to him.”

The youngster has plenty of pace and he’s very direct in his approach. The talented wide-man is also terrific in the air. Has also got used to the physical side of the English game without any fuss. Provides Watford with plenty of energy and has developed a good understanding with the club’s left-backs.

Silva likes to see his teams pressing opponents and Richarlison is a key component in doing that. Obviously he’s very good at going forward too and has created four assists and scoring five times.

Brought in for just £11m, it will be interesting to see how long he stays at Watford and what profit they make on his signature. One thing’s for sure, while the exciting forward remains at Vicarage Road he will be the star of the team!

Sead Kolasinac 

Bosnian international Sead Kolasinac has added some much needed strength and passion into the Arsenal team.

The twenty four year old is versatile enough to play in a few defensive and midfield positions, especially on the left side.

Has made around two successful tackles per game and two clearances also. Very strong on the ball and not scared to put his foot into a tackle when it’s needed. His strong structure often makes it hard for opponents to get passed him.

His full bloodied displays have already made him a cult hero with the Gunners support. Arsene Wenger has dropped Sead twice in the Premier League in this campaign and they haven’t won either tie, they were humiliated at Anfield and drew with relegation candidates West Ham United.

As well as being strong in the air, Kolasinac also has a keen eye for a key pass. The defensive minded player has two goals and four assists to him name this term.

Has the right attitude to prove himself at Arsenal and he didn’t cost them a penny!

Posted on December 15th, 2017 by scott
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