The Premier League was once again the highest-spending league in Europe in the summer, with a mind-blowing £3.19 billion spent on new signings. Liverpool twice broke the British transfer record to sign Florian Wirtz for £116 million and Alexander Isak for £125 million.
Wirtz and Isak have failed to reach expectations since arriving at Anfield, and perhaps their hefty transfer fees have caused too much of a distraction. That added pressure can take its toll, and some of the best-performing new signings made by top-flight clubs arrived at reasonable prices.
That's according to WhoScored's statistics, which have drawn up a very intriguing list of the top 20 best summer signings. There are some surprise names, including Matheus Cunha, who, despite only registering two goals since joining Manchester United, ranks high.
20–16: Liverpool's Best Summer Signing Features
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Kicking off with Anton Stach, who joined Leeds United from German outfit Hoffenheim in a £17 million deal. The German defensive midfielder has been Daniel Farke's anchorman, contributing with two goals and as many assists, including his strike in the 3-3 thriller against Liverpool.
Bournemouth suffered the loss of Milos Kerkez in the summer, but they rarely get it wrong in the transfer market and pulled off the shrewd signing of Adrien Truffert from French club Rennes for an initial £11.4 million. The Frenchman has adapted to the English top-flight with ease, while Kerkez struggles on Merseyside, and he is one of the first names on Andoni Iraola's teamsheet.
A new striker was crucial at Newcastle United, and the Magpies took a risk paying a club record £69 million for Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart following constant rejections from other targets. Bayern Munich chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge ridiculed that fee, but the towering German has been statistically one of the best signings so far this season.
Woltemade has found the back of the net five times in 13 league outings, including a winner on his debut in a 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers. That said, he might have ranked higher if not for his Tyne-Wear Derby own goal.
Newcastle United striker Nick Woltemade
Another new striker to arrive in the Premier League was Hugo Ekitike, and the French attacker has outshone fellow new Liverpool signing Isak. The Reds paid Eintracht Frankfurt £79 million, and with seven goals in 15 league games, one has to wonder if Isak was needed.
Arsenal weren't afraid to splash the cash and forked out £55 million for Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad. The Spanish midfielder has been a perfect fit alongside Declan Rice and their partnership could be crucial if the Gunners are to win the title come May.
A fabulous brace in a 3-0 victory against Nottingham Forest has been the best of fine performances at the start of his career at the Emirates. That fee has to put him in the 'bargain of the season' conversation.
Best Signings of the Season (20-16)
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15–11: Man United Persistence Paid Off
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It felt as though Manchester United chased Bryan Mbeumo's signature for the entirety of the transfer window as Brentford dug in their heels at a £70 million valuation. Once a deal was finally sealed, the Cameroonian got his dream move after turning down Arsenal, Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur.
There have been so many times in the past when United have overpaid for a player, only for them to flop as a result. Mbeumo definitely hasn't, as he's thriving as one of Ruben Amorim's talismanic attackers with six goals in 16 league games, and that's counting his opener in a 2-1 win over Liverpool.
Sean Longstaff's career was at a crossroads after falling down Eddie Howe's pecking order at Newcastle. Leeds capitalised by paying around £15 million for the English midfielder, and he has been a standout performer at Elland Road.
If Daniel Farke is to keep his side in the Premier League, then he'll be hoping Longstaff maintains the impressive form displayed thus far. He is playing like someone who has been longing to get on the pitch, and the Whites are benefiting.
There's not much positivity at Tottenham at the moment but their decision to sign Joao Palhinha on loan from Bayern Munich has proven to be an astute one. The Portuguese midfielder is one of just a few members of Thomas Frank's squad who have shown their worth, albeit in spades, amid a calamitous collective performance from the Lilywhites.
Sunderland have been this season's surprise package, and their transfer business, which saw Robin Roefs arrive from NEC Nijmegen for around £11 million, has paid off. The Dutch shot-stopper has kept five clean sheets and may well be battling it out with David Raya and Gianluigi Donnarumma for a spot in the PFA Team of the Season if he keeps it up.
robin roefs
A magician was required at Manchester City following Kevin De Bruyne's departure, and Rayan Cherki has lived up to the hype. The French attacking midfielder arrived from Lyon in a £30 million deal, and after a slow start, he's exploded into life.
Only Bruno Fernandes has more assists than Cherki, who has six thus far. The pick of the bunch was his rabona in a 3-0 win against Sunderland.
|Best Signings of the Season (15-11)|
|Ranking:|Player:|Team:|WhoScored Rating|
|15.|Bryan Mbeumo|Manchester United|6.92|
|14.|Sean Longstaff|Leeds United|6.95|
|13.|Joao Palhinha|Tottenham Hotspur|6.96|
|12.|Robin Roefs|Sunderland|6.96|
|11.|Rayan Cherki|Manchester City|6.97|
|---|
10–6: Good News For The Blues
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Everton fans will be happy to see they feature twice in the top 10 and Jack Grealish has been reborn at Hill Dickinson. The English attacker is back to playing with swagger and has been a real handful off the left for David Moyes.
Grealish's form could lead to a last-minute return to the England national team for next summer's FIFA World Cup. The Toffees didn't have to pay a single penny after landing the Manchester City man on a season-long loan.
Thomas Tuchel does look likely to hand Eberechi Eze a ticket to North America next year, especially after watching him wow fans at Arsenal. After letting it all work out and snubbing Spurs for the Gunners, he arrived on the red side of North London from Crystal Palace for £67.5 million.
Eze's hat-trick in the North London derby alone is enough for the Emirates faithful to applaud his acquisition. His versatility is also playing an important role in Mikel Arteta's mission to finally win the title.
Chelsea were busy in the summer and continued their project of targeting youth when spending £60 million on Joao Pedro from Brighton & Hove Albion. The Brazilian frontman felt less of a risk than others because he'd proven himself at the Amex and that shows from his promising displays at Stamford Bridge.
Pedro kick-started his Blues career with an eye-catching FIFA Club World Cup campaign in the United States. While he hasn't been as prolific, four goals in 16 games, he has been a team player with three assists.
Chelsea's Joao Pedro vs AC Milan
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has embodied the spirit of the Blues on Merseyside with a remarkable rebound from his West London struggles. The English midfielder joined Everton from Chelsea for £28 million and he's been worth every penny.
An England call-up is on the horizon if he continues his excellent form, and he currently sits on four goals and three assists in 15 league outings. His best moment so far has to be his winner in the Toffees' 1-0 win at Old Trafford with 10 men.
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Sunderland's defence has been vital for Regis Le Bris and moving for Nordi Mukiele for £12 million was a masterstroke. The Frenchman joined from Paris Saint-Germain and perhaps had a point to prove after being frozen out by Luis Enrique with a Bayer Leverkusen loan last season.
Mukiele has been used at right-back and centre-back, and his versatility has come in handy given injuries. He was outstanding in a 2-2 draw against Arsenal, coming up with an assist for defensive partner Dan Ballard.
|Best Signings of the Season (10-6)|
|Ranking:|Player:|Team:|WhoScored Rating|
|10.|Jack Grealish|Everton|6.98|
|9.|Eberechi Eze|Arsenal|7.01|
|8.|Joao Pedro|Chelsea|7.01|
|7.|Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall|Everton|7.03|
|6.|Nordi Mukiele|Sunderland|7.06|
|---|
5–1: Spurs Surprise and Black Cats Purring
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Newcastle endured a frustrating summer, but their transfer chiefs will be delighted with Malick Thiaw, who headed to St James' Park from AC Milan for around £34.6 million. The German has been colossal at the back for the Magpies and has been one of the few positives given the team's disappointing league campaign thus far.
Thiaw was even at the double in a 4-1 win against Everton, putting in one of several man-of-the-match performances. If Howe is to guide the Tyneside giants back up the table he will be eager for his summer signing's form to continue.
The goals might not be coming for Matheus Cunha at a rate many expected, but the Brazilian has been one of the best attacking talents in the league. Manchester United swooped on the day after last season concluded, triggering the £62.5 million release clause in his Wolves contract.
Every time United are in action, Cunha is in the thick of the action, pulling off a dazzling piece of trickery that gets fans on their feet at Old Trafford. He was tasked with replacing Marcus Rashford, and if he starts finding the back of the net more consistently than his two in 13 games, he will be well on his way to doing so.
matheus cunha
Heading back to the Stadium of Light for another defensive acquisition who has taken to English football like a duck to water. Omar Alderete joined Sunderland from Getafe for £10 million.
The Spanish centre-back's experience has shown as he has been a rock for Le Bris, barely giving the opposition a sniff. But the Mackems will be quick to point out that he's also tidy on the ball, helping his team get forward and ranking high in progressive passes and take-ons.
It may come as a surprise given Tottenham's nightmare league season ahead of Christmas but Daniel Levy parting gift was Mohammed Kudus. The Ghanaian attacker ranks second, and to be in such a position in a poor-performing team speaks volumes for his exploits in North London.
West Ham United may be kicking themselves for agreeing to sell Kudus for £55 million, as he is making a mockery of that fee. With two goals and five assists in 15 games, he is back to his very best.
Nobody was quite sure what Sunderland were going to get when they brought Granit Xhaka back to the Premier League from Bayer Leverkusen for an initial £13 million. The Swiss midfielder had years of experience in the league from his spell at Arsenal.
There's an argument to be had that Xhaka is performing at a higher level than he ever did at the Emirates. Playing under Arteta and Xabi Alonso has resulted in an all-round defensive midfielder who is not just the best signing of the season but could lay claim to being among the best players.
Xhaka
Xhaka's feistiness remains intact, as shown during a 2-2 draw against his former club. But his leadership is taking Le Bris' Black Cats to heights that nobody expected.
|Best Signings of the Season (5-1)|
|Ranking:|Player:|Team:|WhoScored Rating|
|5.|Malick Thiaw|Newcastle United|7.09|
|4.|Matheus Cunha|Manchester United|7.09|
|3.|Omar Alderete|Sunderland|7.11|
|2.|Mohammed Kudus|Tottenham Hotspur|7.15|
|1.|Granit Xhaka|Sunderland|7.18|
|---|