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Transfer windows are always eventful, but last summer's was a bit busier than usual with some mega-money signings. The higher the transfer fee, the likelier it is that a move draws critics even before the player has had a chance to prove himself.
Things have not been any different this time around, with many pundits and fans already doubting the ability of arrivals to live-up to the hype and fulfil their potential, while they have barely set foot on the pitch.
However, it would not be the first time that a player answered the fans with his impressive performances, and made them eat their words.
In this article, we have a look at 5 players who have been doing just that, over the opening weeks of the season.
#5 Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah arrived at Liverpool for an initial fee of €42 million, that could rise up to €50 million, depending on his performances. At first sight, many thought that the Egypt international was not what the English giants needed, but so far so good for the former AS Roma man.
The 25-year old has been in impressive form, having already scored 5 goals in English Premier League, and 4 more in the UEFA Champions League.
While it is true that Liverpool's front three composed of Sadio Mané, Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho was considered one of the best in the league, last season, Salah's arrival was still a necessity. As a matter of fact, it has been clear that German tactician Jurgen Klopp intended to move Coutinho from the left-hand side to a central creative role, ever since the end of last season.
Salah's arrival would allow Coutinho to operate in midfield, as he slots in on the right-hand flank - while Mané moves to the left. Another important reason for signing Salah is Liverpool's awful injury-record in the past few months. Whenever Mané or Coutinho missed out last season, their substitute was clearly sub-par.
In brief, Salah does not only add quality to Liverpool's starting lineup, but he also provides much-needed depth.
#4 Kyle Walker
When Manchester City announced the signing of Kyle Walker from Tottenham, for a reported fee of over €50 million Euros, many neutrals were quick to criticise the club's policy on spending so much money on fullbacks, as if they were not an essential part of modern football.
But Walker was quick to highlight his important role in Pep Guardiola's tactical setup, with his constant long-runs, dribbles and crosses to support the attack in the final third. Without the width that the English international can offer, City would have found it more difficult to get the job done, in more than one game so far this season.
The 27-year old has already provided 5 assists in 12 games, in between Premier League and Champions League action, but his defensive contribution has been just as good. As a matter of fact, Walker averages 1.7 successful tackles per league game, this term.
What makes Walker special is that he is never shy of taking risks, rather than playing it safe. He is always trying to make things happen, by finding ways to move the ball forward, exactly what Pep wants from his fullbacks.
#3 Kylian Mbappé
The fact that Paris Saint-Germain broke the bank and invested more than €150 million in an 18-year old certainly did not help relieve Kylian Mbappé from the pressure.
After a glorious season with AS Monaco, having guided them to the French league title as well as to the semi-final phase of the UEFA Champions League, Mbappé had to take the most important decision his career.
Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, FC Barcelona and Liverpool were all reportedly interested in the French sensation, but Kylian chose the Ligue 1 giants. Despite criticism as to whether he was needed or if he wasn't anything more than a luxury signing, Mbappé is proving to be a crucial element in Unai Emery's tactical scheme.
With 4 goals and 6 assists in just 11 games this season, Mbappé has left little doubt that he is the future of French football, if not world football. His best performance for the club was perhaps his mouthwatering showing-off against German powerhouse FC Bayern, as he tore apart one of the highest-rated fullbacks in activity, David Alaba, on numerous occasions.
If Kylian Mbappé manages to retain the same level of performances he has so far shown, then the fee paid for him that once seemed crazy, could well be regarded as worth every penny, in the near future.
#2 Nemanja Matic
Nemanja Matic is 29-years old and was reportedly seen by Chelsea boss Antonio Conte as surplus to requirement, as the Serbian received criticism for his drop in form in the second-half of the season. In addition to that, his transfer to Manchester United was worth around €45 million.
These are the essential reasons why perhaps, many were quick to rule out Matic and accused José Mourinho on missing out on the likes of Monaco midfield-star Fabinho.
However, as the days pass, it is looking more and more obvious as to why the Portuguese manager insisted to prioritise Matic and was ready to miss out on the rest, just to sign his number one transfer target.
Matic has been nothing short of spectacular, week in week out for the English giants. His defensive solidity is highlighted by the fact that he averages 1.8 interceptions and 1.9 successful tackles, per English Premier League game.
Whereas, Matic displays his technical quality with 1.8 dribbles per game and a pass success of 87%. He is the man who holds Manchester United's midfield and brings the much-needed balance that the team was in urgent need of, last season.
#1 Paulinho
There are so many reasons why almost every single Barcelona fan went furious when the club announced the signing of Paulinho, after triggering his release clause from Chinese giants Guangzhou Evergrande, for around €40 million.
The Brazilian is 29-years old, expensive, a former English Premier League flop, and to make things worse, he played in China! The club had already lost Neymar, and the supporters were full of anger towards the board, asking the directors to resign. It was a situation where fans were waiting for the slightest chance, to criticize the ones who run the club.
Besides that, culès were looking for a Marco Verratti-like midfielder, who would control the tempo of the game and be a successor to former team-captain Xavi. Paulinho, in theory, does not fit into the criteria of the Barcelona DNA.
But guess what, it's been a few weeks and Paulinho is already proving everyone wrong. Whether you appreciate his style of play or do not, no one can deny that the Brazilian excels at what he offers. And so far, it seems that he has been capable of adapting his style to a more direct Barcelona-side, under the tutelage of tactician Ernesto Valverde.
The Brazil international has so far scored 3 goals and mustered an assist for the Catalan giants. Only a certain Lionel Messi, can claim to have better stats in the team.
