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The ongoing summer window has been one of the most exciting events in the footballing world over the past decade. Lionel Messi parted ways with his long-time club Barcelona, while Cristiano Ronaldo made his return ' home' to Manchester United. These were just some of the transfers that have taken place in the whirlwind 2021 summer transfer window.
However, the transfer window will draw to a close tonight, so teams will look to complete a few last-minute signings to strengthen their squads. Unlike transfer windows in the past, clubs have conducted most of their business ahead of deadline day.
That has allowed the new recruits to settle in at their new environments, and has also given them the opportunity to spend time with their new teammates. While some have struggled to fit in, a few have hit the ground running.
On that note, here's a look at the five new signings who have already made an impact:
#5 Danny Ings
Southampton lost their premier goalscorer Danny Ings in the ongoing summer transfer window, with Ings hitting the ground running at Aston Villa.
Ings has been one of the most consistent and clinical goalscorers in the Premier League in the last few years. In an underperforming Southampton side last season, the Englishman found the back of the net 12 times, and also notched up four assists in the Premier League.
The chance creation at Southampton was extremely poor last season, and Ings almost single-handedly saved the Saints from the drop. Even though the Villans have lost their star man this season, they have exciting attacking players in their ranks. That includes Ollie Watkins, Bertrand Traore and their most recent signing, Leon Bailey, to name a few.
Danny Ings has undoubtedly benefitted from his new teammates' creative output, registering two goals and an assist in his first three matches. If he continues at this pace, the 29-year could easily surpass 15 goals this season.
#4 Romelu Lukaku
Cristiano Ronaldo is not the only player to have returned 'home, as he has been joined by his former Serie A rival Romelu Lukaku.
The duo had to battle it out until the last day of the 2020-21 Serie A season, but Ronaldo tipped the Belgian to the Golden Boot accolade. Still, Lukaku remains one of the most lethal and complete strikers on the continent, and perfectly suits Chelsea's gameplay under Thomas Tuchel.
The Belgian is one of the best strikers in hold-up play, and can effectively link play between midfielders and other advanced players. That was seen in full effect during Lukaku's second debut against Arsenal, and, to an extent, in the subsequent game against Liverpool.
The Belgian has been one of Chelsea's best players in the attacking third since his arrival this summer. Lukaku found himself on the scoresheet on his return to the Premier League against the Gunners, and could have scored a few more times, too. He was also influential in Chelsea's 1-1 draw against Liverpool, as 10-man Chelsea battled it out at Anfield.
Lukaku is one of the favourites for the Premier League Golden Boot award this season, and he is expected to produce a 20-goal campaign.
#3 Achraf Hakimi
Among their plethora of signings this summer, including the likes of Lionel Messi, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Sergio Ramos, PSG only paid for former Real Madrid man Achraf Hakimi.
PSG shelled out €60 million to secure Hakimi's signature from Inter Milan after the player's Scudetto-winning season with the Nerazzurri. His marauding runs down the flank combined with pinpoint crossing were a regular feature in Inter Milan's Serie A triumph last season.
In 42 appearances in the Champions League and Serie A last season, Hakimi notched up an impressive tally of seven goals and 11 assists.
The 22-year-old is a definite threat in the attacking third, and has the ability to create plenty of goalscoring chances for the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar. Hakimi has already started to do so, with a return of two assists and a goal in four Ligue 1 appearances.
Hakimi is also a solid presence in the backline, and will be crucial to PSG's Champions League hopes this season.
#2 Tammy Abraham
The young Englishman has arguably made the perfect move at this point in his career, joining forces with former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho at AS Roma.
With the signing of Romelu Lukaku, Chelsea were overstocked in the attacking department, and Abraham was surplus to requirements. AS Roma emerged as the frontrunner, and secured his signature for €4 0million.
The 23-year-old, a product of Chelsea's reputed youth academy, left the club after a 7-year-long association and 82 appearances for the senior team. Abraham racked up 30 goals and 12 assists in his relatively short career with the Blues.
As many fans and pundits had expected, Tammy Abraham has hit the ground running under Jose Mourinho and the pair seem to be a perfect fit. The physically strong Abraham, combined with his raw pace and finishing ability, is the ideal Mourinho type of striker.
The England international has notched up two assists and a goal in just two appearances in the 2021-22 Serie A campaign.
#1 Memphis Depay
While Memphis Depay had his fair share of doubters following a move to Barcelona, he has emphatically proven them wrong in his month-long stint at Camp Nou.
It remains to be seen if Depay can deliver consistently and in the long run, but the first signs have been extremely impressive. The Dutch international has looked determined and clinical with the ball at his feet, and seems to be a man on a mission.
In his first three league appearances for the Blaugrana, Depay has contributed a goal in every match. That includes two goals and an assist in the 2021-22 La Liga season. He also got on the scoresheet in the third minute of the Joan Gamper Trophy final against Juventus.
While replacing someone of the calibre of Lionel Messi is next to impossible, Memphis Depay will likely play a key role in creating and scoring goals for the Blaugrana this season. However, if Barcelona are to stage a good fight in Europe and Spain, Depay will need the support of the players around him.
