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The football transfer window has officially opened in Europe and with all clubs targeting potential signings, some have already confirmed deals and brought in their respective targets. While most transfers are not confirmed until July 1, terms are usually agreed between the player and the respective clubs (unless he is a free agent moving on a Bosman transfer).We take a look at the top five signings of the summer so far who could have a major impact on their new teams in the coming season.
#1 Roberto Firmino - Liverpool
Liverpool have made six new signings so far, but their fifth signing is being touted as the most important of the summer. Critics and fans have been singing praises of their new signing Roberto Firmino who has had a meteoric rise to stardom in recent years.
The Reds signed signed Firmino in a £29 million deal from German club Hoffenheim, making him their second most expensive signing in the club’s history, after having acquired Andy Carroll from Newcastle United for £35 million in 2011.
Firmino came into the spotlight during his five-year stay with Hoffenheim, with whom he joined in 2010. The 2013/14 season with the club was his most productive one till date as he was named Bundesliga’s Breakthrough Player of the Season. He scored an impressive 22 goals in 37 appearances for the club during that campaign.
He carried his form onto the next season and had another inspiring campaign, netting 7 goals and dishing out 10 assists, as the German club finished 8th in the Bundesliga. The Brazilian made his international debut for his country in November 2014 and recently played for the Selecao at Copa America 2015.
The 22-year-old is known for his dribbling and accurate passing and he is most effective as a central attacking midfielder. It will be interesting to see how he gels with Philippe Coutinho who has similar attributes to that of the former Hoffenheim star.
In order to get the most out of his strikers, who disappointed in front of goal last campaign, Brendan Rodgers might in all probability play both Firmino and Coutinho in the attacking midfield positions, with one of them occupying the wings and the other playing through the middle.
Firmino’s versatility can also come good for his new club as he can play as a striker giving Brendan Rodgers more options up front if any of his strikers underperform.
#2 Geoffrey Kondogbia - Inter Milan
Since they last won the famous treble under Mourinho’s management during the 2009/10 campaign, Inter Milan have been degrading in every subsequent season and failing to qualify for the Champions League. However, the next season looks set to be one of many promising seasons ahead as Inter have finally made a signing of intent with Geoffrey Kondogbia.
Roberto Mancini had prioritised a powerful central midfielder as a new signing for his Inter side next season and was reportedly targeting Yaya Toure; but it is now safe to assume that Inter have made a solid addition to their side in the form of Kondogbia.
The Frenchman started his career with Lens but showed his true potential during that one season (2012/13) with Sevilla. By the end of that season, he was wanted by many clubs, but he eventually joined Monaco for €20m, among other high-profile signings made by the club like James Rodrigues and Joao Moutinho.
Kondogbia made a total of 26 appearances in the league for Monaco during the 2013/14 season, helping the club finish second in the league and returning them to the UEFA Champions League after a decade. His best moment in a Monaco shirt came in Europe in the following season. In a Champions League match against Arsenal, the 22-year-old put in a virtuoso display as Monaco beat Arsenal 3-1 at the Emirates.
Much like in the mould of Yaya Toure, the French international can drive forward with the ball at his feet, initiating attacks for his team and also offers a defensive shield for his backline.
He offers a range of options to the Nerazzurri as he can also operate as a centre-back and as a left-back when required. Also, the young Frenchman still has a lot of room for improvement and Inter fans can be assured that he will develop his game further under Mancini’s guidance.
#3 Memphis Depay - Manchester United
The signings made by Louis van Gaal the last summer didn’t perform considerably well for the Red Devils over the course of the season and the Dutch coach has been criticised in some quarters for his choice of personnel. However, with the signing of Memphis Depay, Van Gaal looks to have made a statement to his critics.
PSG were close to signing the former PSV star but Louis van Gaal intervened at the last moment to change Depay’s mind. Manchester United agreed to pay £25million for the youngster who had previously worked with Van Gaal in the Netherlands national team.
The winger came through the ranks of PSV Eindhoven and made his debut for them in September 2011. The 2013/14 season with PSV was his breakthrough season as he scored 12 goals and made 7 assists.
For his performances, he was rewarded with a call-up to the 2014 Netherlands World Cup squad by Louis van Gaal. Although he wasn’t a regular for the team, he still made his mark on the international stage, scoring 2 goals and providing an assist in his 3 appearances off the bench. He was shortlisted for the Best Young Player award at the end of the tournament and was linked to a number of clubs.
The 2014/15 season with PSV confirmed Memphis Depay as one of the best young talents in the world. Depay scored a brilliant 22 goals and provided 5 assists last season as PSV won Eredivisie after a gap of 7 years. He has been compared to former United great Ronaldo for his playing style. Primarily, Depay plays as a left winger and likes to cut inside often with the ball.
The 21-year-old will provide some good pace to Manchester United’s counter-attacks and is skillful with the ball at his feet. Also, he can shoot the ball really well with his right foot as evidenced by his knack for scoring free kicks during his time with PSV.
#4 Petr Cech - Arsenal
Jose Mourinho was very reluctant to let Petr Cech leave for Arsenal, but eventually the goalkeeper left for the Gunners on a four-year contract. The decision to let Cech depart for the Gunners was approved by Roman Abramovich, with Mourinho later supporting the owner’s actions.
Chelsea have clearly lost ‘one of the three best goalkeepers in the world’ according to Mourinho; but the Blues’ loss is Arsenal’s gain. The Czech international brings more than 10 years of EPL experience to the Gunners, having made a total of 486 appearances for Chelsea.
The 33-year-old joined Chelsea under Claudio Ranieri's management, who bought him to be an understudy to Carlo Cudicini. Mourinho promoted Cech to his starting eleven in a debut season for both the player and the manager and it paid off as Chelsea won the league, conceding only a record 15 goals in that season. Cech kept a record 21 clean sheets during the campaign, won the Golden Glove and was also included in the PFA Team of the Year at the end of that season.
The Czech international has won numerous individual accolades along the way including three Premier League Golden Gloves and the 2011 Chelsea Player of the Year award among many others. During his 11-year association with the Blues, he has won an incredible 13 major trophies including the club’s first ever Champions League trophy, in which he had a crucial part to play in the penalty shootout in the 2012 final.
Arsenal have lacked a world-class goalkeeper since the departure of Jens Lehmann in 2008 and with the capture of Cech for a fee of around £11 million, the fans have a lot to be excited about. The Czech goalkeeper still has about four good years left in his tank and he can make the Gunners a genuine contender for the EPL trophy.
#5 Douglas Costa
Bayern Munich missed the services of Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben for crucial parts of the season, but they still managed to win the Bundesliga with ease. However, it was in the Champions League where Bayern missed the aforesaid pair, losing to Barcelona in the semi-finals.
Douglas Costa was linked with Chelsea throughout the year although there was no official confirmation from the London club. Bayern Munich submitted an official €30m bid for the Brazil international that was accepted by Shakhtar Donetsk and his contract will run through 2020.
The 24-year-old started his career with Brazilian club Gremio before moving to Shakhtar in January 2010. In his debut season at the Ukrainian club, he scored 5 goals in 13 appearances in the league, winning the league with the club. The 2010/11 season was his first full-season in Ukraine and he made 42 appearances for the club. He played a vital role for his club on their way to winning the domestic treble – Premier League, Ukrainian and the Super Cup.
Costa’s 2013/14 season at the Donbass Arena was impressive as well after he led the league in assists (9) and scored 4 goals in 27 appearances for the club helping the club capture their 5th consecutive league title in a row. As a consequence of his performances, he was selected by Dunga for the national team and made his full international debut in November 2014. He was also a part of Brazil’s Copa America squad that lost against Paraguay in the quarter-final.
Douglas Costa can play anywhere across the front 3 but mainly operates on the right side of the midfield and likes to cut in from the wings. The strong and dynamic midfielder provides all the attributes of a ‘typical Brazilian footballer’ as he has good dribbling skills, offers brilliant pace and has a powerful shot with both feet.
Pep Guardiola made a wise move in signing the exciting Brazilian player who looks like a natural fit for the ex-Barcelona boss’ philosophy.
