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The summer transfer window for the 2018-19 season is about to end for the top European Leagues barring Premier League and just like the previous transfer windows, this summer has been eventful as well.
From managerial changes to major squad revamps, this summer has seen it all. Some notable shifts include Naby Keita and Alisson Backer to Liverpool and Jorginho and Kepa Arizabalaga to Chelsea. But the biggest surprise package of the summer transfer window was Ronaldo's departure from Santiago Bernabeu.
As the rest of the major European Leagues gets the ball rolling this weekend, it is less likely to see any significant dealing in the transfer window and so, without any further ado, here's a look at the 3 summer signings which are likely to take the 2018-19 season by storm:
#3 Jorginho
Following the unceremonious departure of Antonio Conte from Chelsea after a tottering season, Chelsea managed to secure the service of Italian gaffer Maurizio Sarri, who was instrumental during Napoli's brilliant campaign last season, where, at one point, the Italian side was well poised to dethrone Juventus as Serie A champions. Although the side from Naples didn't manage to win the Scudetto, they finished 2nd, just 4 points short of the eventual champions Juventus.
At Napoli last season, Jorginho was the embodiment of their quick passing, one-touch style of football just as Xavi was to Barcelona, most notably during Sarri's reign. He is a versatile player who can be deployed as a deep-lying playmaker or a central box-to-box midfielder. At Chelsea, he will be playing alongside N'Golo Kante, whose presence will reduce the defensive burden from his shoulders and will help him focus on his ball-playing abilities. Moreover, he will be working under the same manager who helped him develop into a world- class player. All in all, Jorginho looks all set to emulate his heroics from last season and hopefully, help his new side on its way to a trophy-laden season.
#2 Arthur Melo
After a successful domestic campaign last season, Andres Iniesta bid adieu to his boyhood club, thereby culminating a glittering career at the Camp Nou. Barcelona, in order to fill the void left by the legendary Spaniard, brought on Arthur Melo from Gremio for an initial €31million (£27.5m) with a further €9m (£8m) in bonuses.
Although Arthur lacks the experience of playing in Europe, he is the midfielder Barcelona has been craving for since the departure of Xavi in 2015. His positioning while receiving a ball, coupled with his excellent passing range makes him a perfect fit for Barcelona. Moreover, he is astonishingly press-resistant and can generate key passes at will.
At Barcelona, he will be accompanied by World class talent on all fronts and considering Barcelona's playing style, it will be easier for Arthur to adjust to his new club. Plus he will get enough playing time owing to the fact that the Catalans are expected to fight for the treble till the business end of the season, which will help him leave a lasting impression in his debut season at the club.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo
Perhaps the biggest surprise of this season, Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Turin saw the culmination of an era at Santiago Bernabeu, and even more so when he was coming to Italy on the back of a historic UCL three-peat.
Even though Ronaldo had a fairly successful season on the personal front, he had his fair share of criticism, primarily due to the fact that his poor form at the beginning of the 2017-18 season saw Real Madrid meekly surrendering the LaLiga title. But his poor returns in front of goal was a result of Zidane incompetent tactical structure and it was not until the beginning of 2018 that he decided to tweak his tactics, which finally unleashed the beast in Ronaldo.
But at Juventus, Ronaldo will be accompanied by arguably one of the most underrated managers in recent times, Massimiliano Allegri. The Juve boss is quite a versatile tactician as demonstrated by his record at Turin and he will surely be able to bring the best out of a player of Ronaldo's caliber. Moreover, the club hierarchy's management of veteran players has been exceptional for the past few years(Andrea Pirlo and Gianluigi Buffon, for instance) and it is unlikely that Ronaldo will be an anomaly here. Coupled with the fact that Ronaldo is backed up by a terrific squad comprising the likes of Paulo Dybala, Miralem Pjanic etc., he will surely prove to be a nightmare for Serie A defenders.
