More than one-third of the season is over and we are just three weeks away from the much awaited January transfer window, and as a result, rumours are flying all around.
The January window is sure to bring some new faces into the league along with a few players changing their clubs within the country itself, and most fans cannot wait for their club to sign reinforcements or replacements come next month.
It is, therefore, a fitting time to look back to the signings made in the summer of 2016 and see how those transfers have fared out so far. Some big name signings were made in what was the most expensive transfer window in league history and so far, there have been players who have flopped, and there have been players who are turning out to be bargains.
Here, we are focusing on players who have shown the fans their true worth and have succeeded with their new clubs so far. Let us see the top 5 signings made in the summer so far-
#5 Christian Benteke
When Crystal Palace took away the Belgian striker in a £27 million move (rising to £32 million) from Liverpool, the Kop faithful were happy to see the back of a man who was just not suited for their club. Palace fans might be thinking that they overpaid for a player who had been one of the worst transfers of last season, but in Benteke they found their talisman as the season progressed.
Scoring the first goal for his new club on his full league debut in a 2-3 win against Sunderland which also earned him the Man of the Match Award, Benteke’s start to life at Selhurst Park was brilliant. He followed this game with another great performance and a goal against Everton, and since then has been involved in eight goals in thirteen appearances for The Eagles.
All this goes to show that Benteke was always the target-man that experts and fans alike thought he was - just that he had joined the wrong club in the wrong season when he went to Anfield. From being labelled as one of the worst to one of the best, Benteke has shown heart and his career at Palace shall only get better.
Also Read: 5 Liverpool rejects who are on fire this season
#4 Shkodran Mustafi
Arsene Wenger is not known for spending big in the market. So when he spent (reportedly) over £35 million for this young German centre back, the Arsenal fans were naturally delighted because they desperately needed a competent centre-back to partner Laurent Koscielny and anyone who followed La Liga knew the potential of this World Cup winning player.
Mustafi has made 11 appearances in the league for the Gunners, alongside five in the Champions League and has rarely put a foot wrong so far. Averaging an impressive 2 tackles, 3 interceptions and 4.4 clearances per game, the German is yet to face defeat in an Arsenal jersey- the Gunners have only lost two matches this season, and none of them came in a game where Mustafi featured.
His positioning and tackling skills as well as the fact that he is only 24 make this defender a formidable opponent for any forward, and in him, Wenger has found a player that will keep the Arsenal defence intact for some seasons to come.
#3 Idrissa Gueye
In one of Aston Villa’s worst seasons in history, perhaps the only silver lining was the performance of this Senegalese midfielder throughout their relegation campaign. Everton saw that, and they bought Gueye for £7.1 million in a deal which could be argued is the bargain of the season so far.
Defensive midfielders often do not get the credit they deserve, but Gueye’s performances have earned him praise from fans and experts alike, who are now wondering as to why some other club did not go for him.
Having settled at Goodison Park in a matter of few games, the 27-year-old has made the most tackles (66) in the league so far - nine ahead of his closest competitor. Averaging an astonishing 5.2 tackles alongside 2.1 interceptions per game, and with a passing accuracy of 87%, Gueye has been a rock in the Everton midfield.
Koeman’s team is currently 8th in the Premier League and although they could be doing better, they have Gueye to thank for where they are now, as it could have been worse without the presence of the ex-Aston Villa man. A true bargain, Gueye is also the cheapest transfer on this list.
#2 Sadio Mane
When Liverpool fans heard that their club was after ANOTHER Southampton player, they must have thought that it was a prank. Upon discovering that the interest was real, some fans on social media were quick to point out the flaws in Mane’s game and why with the amount of money involved, he would be the next Benteke. Fast forward five months, and there is not one Kopite who does not sing praises of this man.
Signed for £34 million which made him the most expensive African player in history, Mane did not take long to show why Jurgen Klopp paid so much for him- which is to say he took no time at all. Mane scored a pre-season goal in his first game against Barcelona, and his official Liverpool debut saw him score a solo goal against Arsenal at the Emirates that is one of the contenders for goal of the season.
The Senegalese forward has been involved in 10 goals in 13 league appearances, and talks of inconsistency have disappeared as he is present at the heart of every Liverpool attack. Having just scored another brilliant goal against Bournemouth, there is no doubt that this 24-year-old is integral to the Liverpool team and will most likely be so for years to come.
His departure for AFCON in January is something no Liverpool fan looks forward to- that is how good the ex-Southampton has been for his new club.
#1 N’Golo Kante
Arguably the best midfielder last season- arguably the best midfielder so far this season. The Premier League winner was signed by Chelsea for £32M, and the Frenchman took off from where he left last season. Adjusting to his new club and manager in just a few games, Kante’s presence is one of the primary reasons as to why Antonio Conte’s men sit first on the league table with 14 games gone.
Kante’s was perhaps the most high-profile transfer within the league, and the pressure has not gotten to him at all. Averaging 3.1 tackles and 2.8 interceptions per game and with a passing percentage of 89.7, Kante has not only provided Chelsea with extra defensive cover, he has been one of the reasons why fellow teammate Nemanja Matic has gotten back to his destructive best.
Leicester themselves have not yet coped with Kante’s loss, as they sit only two points above relegation, which is a testament to how important the 25-year-old was to their team.
With his brilliant work rate, Kante seems to be everywhere on the pitch and getting past him is one of the toughest tasks in world football right now. His age only helps, as the French international has many good years left in him. Chelsea have easily made the best transfer in the league, if not the world, in this man.
Honourable mentions
Zlatan Ibrahimovic – The arrogant yet massively talented Swede has scored 13 goals this season so far and although he hit a rough patch in the middle, he seems to have recovered and is firing on all cylinders for Manchester United.
Joel Matip – This free signing has settled into the heart of the Reds defence and has been the only consistently solid defender for Liverpool so far this season. The fact that he is only 22 and a physical beast is an added assurance that the Merseyside outfit have a gem in their hands.
Marcos Alonso – The 25-year-old left back has been a brilliant addition to Chelsea’s defence and has been immense for them throughout the season. His overlapping runs, threatening passes and great positioning skills have helped the Blues go top of the table.
