The summer transfer window finally ended on the 1st Sept, without Brentford losing Ivan Toney!
There have been loads of exciting moves and Premier League clubs have spent more than ever before. I have ranked the hottest 10 transfers based on the impact the players are expected to have at their new clubs and highlighted a few other standout signings – both good and bad.
Loads of high-profile Brazilian talent is joining the Premier League, so it promises to be an entertaining season to come.
Top top 10 hottest summer signings
Here’s why these signings will make the biggest contributions in the Premier League at their new clubs…
1. Gabriel Jesus – Striker – Manchester City to Arsenal (£45m)
Arsenal’s new star man has hit the ground running with six goal involvements in six games. At only 25-years-old, he has the potential to grow into an absolute monster under Mikel Arteta.
Jesus will be thirsty to prove himself as Brazil’s No.9 before the World Cup. He is very versatile and can play anywhere across the front line. Technically amazing, he delivers exquisite passes and sublime dribbling runs. Typically Brazilian, he has a lot of skills in his locker to evade defenders and likes nutmegs and fake shots.
Against Leicester, Jesus got four goal involvements, won eight duels, created three chances, completed three take-ons and had three shots on target. He also showed up in pre-season, scoring six goals in five games.
Since Jesus arrived in north London, the form of Arsenal’s attacking assets has improved massively. Arsenal’s left-winger, Gabriel Martinelli, has been on fire and in midfield, Martin Odegaard has another player to create chances for.
Now that Arsenal have a proper striker who is happy at the club, fans are very hopeful of a great season and a top four finish. This will be very welcome after the disappointments of past strikers who didn’t live up to the hype – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had two good seasons and then became a problem. Alexandre Lacazette never really did much at all.
2. Erling Haaland – Striker – Borussia Dortmund to Manchester City (£64m)
The Norwegian is one of the world’s brightest talents and a big move was always on the cards. After a disastrous missed shot on goal in the Community Shield against Liverpool, he had a memorable Premier League debut – scoring a brace against West Ham. Haaland left fans in hysterics, swearing twice in his first post-match interview.
He has scored 10 goals in six Premier League games, including back-to-back hat-tricks. He leads the Golden Boot race, with his closest challenger, Fulham’s Aleksander Mitrovic, already four goals behind. A lethal finisher, Haaland only needs half a chance to put it in the back of the net.
At Manchester City, Haaland will have plenty of chances with City’s creative options being the best in the world. His pace, explosiveness, physicality and amazing upper body strength allow him to destroy defenders. Another key thing is his hold-up play and his aerial threat. Being 6 foot 3 allows him to win nearly every header.
Now at a top European club, the Haaland vs Mbappe debate over who is the best player can fire up to the level of Messi vs Ronaldo.
3. Raheem Sterling – Winger – Manchester City to Chelsea (£45m)
Chelsea have got an absolute steal, paying £45m for a game changer worth £55m, who has got bags of Premier League experience.
Raheem Sterling has got everything a winger needs in his arsenal: pace, dribbling, timing, passing, stamina and crossing. He can function anywhere along the front line, even as a striker. Most of his goals are from close range but this is where he comes into his element, using insanely clever and amazingly timed runs, Sterling puts himself in the right place at the right time.
This makes him the complete attacker with electric pace, deadly dribbling and a strikers instinct. At 27, he could be entering his prime so Premier League defenders had better watch out. Sterling will be doubly motivated, ahead of the World Cup, to prove to Gareth Southgate that he is still his first choice.
4. Antony – Right Winger – Ajax to Manchester United (£85m)
A player Erik Ten Hag has sought after for the whole of the transfer window after failing to bring Frenkie De Jong through the door, Man United fans will be happy with this signing.
Antony’s a real crowd pleaser with his amazing skills and his pure confidence to show-boat. After scoring on his debut for the Red Devils, he kissed the United badge in celebration, much to the delight of fans.
A player that understands the Ten Hag pressing tactics, he reminds me of a young Cristiano Ronaldo. At only 22, his debut goal broke the record for the youngest Brazilian to score in the Premier League and makes him the only player to score a first-half goal against Arsenal this season.
His skill set is awesome, including pace, technique, dribbling, skills, passing and long shots. Antony’s amazing passes grabbed him eight assists in the Eredivisie last season. With lots of potential and a manager he knows well, it looks like the sky is the limit for this player.
Manchester United have bagged an asset who has the potential to dominate their game for years to come.
5. Lucas Paqueta – Attacking/Central Midfielder – Lyon to West Ham (£50m)
West Ham’s new star is an amazing talent. The Brazilian is a statement signing for the Hammers. Paqueta is the perfect defensive compliment to Declan Rice’s attacking skills; he is an all-rounder with no significant weaknesses. He combines amazing offensive skills with the ability to create chances for himself and his teammates.
A direct dribbler, Paqueta can drive through the heart of a midfield, leaving the opposition for dead, using his Brazilian Samba style and flair to get out of tight spots.
What’s even more unique about the Brazilian is his work rate and defensive contribution. His stats rival that of defensive midfielders such as Aurelien Tchouameni, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Brazilian teammate Fabinho. At only 25, he and Rice could be bossing the midfield for years to come.
Paqueta’s been referred to as the second coming of Kaka and you can see the similarities. In my opinion, there isn’t another player like him. The mix of elite attacking and defensive attributes makes him the perfect midfielder. Still to hit his prime, he could be a key player for Brazil at the World Cup this winter.
6. Kalidou Koulibaly – Centre-Back – Napoli to Chelsea (£33m)
After Chelsea lost star defender Antonio Rudiger to Real Madrid, it was clear that they needed to strengthen. With this signing, they have done just that. Although he picked up a red card against Leeds, on his day Koulibaly can be the second best centre-back in the world, only behind Virgil van Dijk.
A no-nonsense defender, unafraid to get stuck in, he has height, physically and exquisite passing. Koulibaly is also comfortable in possession and bringing the ball out from the back.
A natural leader and captain of the Senegalese national team, Koulibaly should have a good relationship with fellow international and Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Koulibaly brings much-needed experience to a young Chelsea side. Often linked with moves to elite-level clubs, Chelsea signed Koulibaly at just the right time to get a bargain, with only one year remaining on his Napoli contract.
7. Marc Cucurella – Left-Back / Centre-back – Brighton to Chelsea (£55m)
A very overpriced signing but definitely a good one. Eyebrows were raised when Chelsea splashed £55m on the 24-year-old, but after his debut against Tottenham, it seems he may have the potential to be worth it. An extremely versatile player, Cucurella can play centre-back, left-back and left-midfield – something every modern player needs.
A graduate of La Masia – Barcelona’s Academy – is always going to have second-to-none technique and Cucurella is no exception. Teams like Barcelona and Manchester City also wanted the silky Spaniard. He’s good on both offence and defence, being both a good tackler and able to create chances. Cucurella will be hungry to prove himself to Spain manager Luis Enrique in time for the World Cup, so we should see a good start to his season.
8. Ivan Perisic – Left Wing Back – Inter Milan to Tottenham (Free Transfer)
The 33-year-old was a favourite of Antonio Conte’s while at Inter Milan, so it makes sense that the Italian has brought him to north London. Perisic is a very attacking wing-back, who also functions as a winger and wide midfielder. He brings lots of experience after playing at big clubs such as Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan. Being a senior member of the squad, Perisic could mentor Ryan Sessegnon, another left-back who could be a key player for the future.
The Croatian’s stats from his first start for Spurs were impressive, seeing him make the most tackles (5), win the most duels (7) and create the most chances (3) for his team. Perisic registered two assists in his first 111 minutes of Premier League football.
This was a shrewd signing for Spurs – picking Perisic up on a free is a cracking bit of business. Now Spurs have their two bombing full-backs – Perisic and Emerson – alongside one of the best front three groupings in the Premier League – with Heung-min Son, Harry Kane and Dejan Kulusevski – let’s see what they will achieve this season.
9. Oleksandr Zinchenko – Left Back / Central Midfielder – Manchester City to Arsenal (£32m)
Arsenal needed a left-back to cover for the injury-prone Kieran Tierney. Zinchenko is extremely versatile and can also play in central midfield. In the first half against Bournemouth, he won back possession nine times. Mikel Arteta knows him well from his time as Manchester City’s assistant manager.
Zinchenko helps set the tempo of the game with his passing and his composure on the ball. He’s great at carrying the ball forward, which is why he can also function as a central midfielder. At 25-years-old the Ukrainian could become a top player with regular minutes, which is something he didn’t get at Manchester City.
On his debut for the Gunners, Zinchenko picked up an assist.
10. Nick Pope – Goalkeeper – Burnley to Newcastle (£10m)
Newcastle signed the ex-Burnley goalkeeper for a sum of around £10m. Nick Pope is a well-established Premier League keeper after his time at Turf Moor. He was crucial in times of need when Burnley were struggling in a relegation fight. In the 2019/20 season, he kept 15 clean sheets, finishing second in the Premier League in that respect.
Newcastle needed a top-level goalkeeper to compete and Pope was the ideal man for the job. His distribution is second to none – a key attribute in a modern goalkeeper. In his first two Premier League games for the Magpies, he kept two clean sheets. Pope is a great shot-stopper who’s made 28 saves already this season – the most in the Premier League. If he can maintain his top form he could be on the cusp of being England’s new No.1 ‘keeper.
Honourable mentions
These were great signings that narrowly missed my top 10…
Richarlison – Everton to Tottenham (£60m)
Last season he was one of the best players outside of the top six. True to form, Richarlison has already picked up two assists for Spurs. I don’t think he’ll be one of the first names on the team sheets because Tottenham have an amazing attack, but it’s a really good signing for squad depth purposes.
Sven Botman – Lille to Newcastle (£35m)
Newcastle have signed their future captain. He’s a near-perfect centre-back and is good on the ball with pace and physicality. I predict that Botman will grow into one of the Premier League’s top five centre-backs. The Magpies chased the Dutchman throughout the January transfer window and finally got him this summer. He’s not a complete player yet but he can develop into one. Newcastle look solid at the back for now and the future.
Not-so-hot signings:
These signings weren’t really what their new clubs needed…
Morgan Gibbs-White – Wolves to Nottingham Forest (£42m)
Nottingham Forest signed Gibbs-White from Wolves for £42m.. I don’t think he has enough experience to be worth that fee. Wolves got much better value when they signed Matheus Nunes for a similar fee – gaining experience, potential and a better all-round player.
Dwight McNeil – Burnley to Everton (£20m)
After losing top man Richarlison to Tottenham, you would expect Everton to sign an established star player. However, they signed McNeil from Burnley, who’s never been a stand-out player. He only scored seven goals in five seasons for Burnley in the Premier League. In each of Richarlison’s seasons with Everton he scored 7+ goals. Everton will need to work miracles with their attack to maintain their position.
The Winners and Losers
In my opinion, Arsenal and Tottenham are the biggest winners of this transfer window, both signing good players on free transfers or for reasonable fees. Manchester United also signed some good players, as did Chelsea – who got three from my top 10, although they are yet to start performing.
For me the biggest loser of this transfer window was Everton, who lost star player Richarlison and didn’t manage to replace him with a player of equivalent quality. Close behind are Leicester City, who lost Kasper Schmeichel in goal and only made one signing (Wout Faes) – I bet they are wishing they had made more after a tough start to the season.