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No one would know whether the club's signing is a hit or a flop until the season comes to an end. Many players have performed superbly in other European leagues but when they come to the Premier League, it is a totally different story.
Most Premier League clubs rely on their signings to improve their performances and challenge for trophies. Tottenham have been an exception given that they have made minimal signings in recent transfer windows yet manage to finish in the top four.
Looking back at how the debutants have performed this season, here is a look at the 10 best signings of the season. Wolverhampton Wanderers' signings have helped their club achieve the glory they deserve and Liverpool's new players have helped the Reds challenge for the title. It has been an exceptional season for this group of players.
#10 Alisson
The Liverpool keeper has done an excellent job by conceding the least number of goals in the Premier League. Alisson played all the games in the league, kept 21 clean sheets and let in only 22 goals. That earned him the Golden Glove at the end of the domestic season.
At the same time, he has been phenomenal in the Champions League. He helped the Reds to their second consecutive final in the competition after letting in just 12 goals from 12 matches.
The former Roma keeper surely deserved credit for his hard work this season. Given his excellent showing this season, one would have thought that he was an experienced goalie in the Premier League. The Brazilian also has a passing accuracy of around 80% and makes an average of 0.8 clearances per game in the Premier League.
If Alisson can maintain his standards, Liverpool would certainly be able to compete with Manchester City for the title next season.
#9 Rui Patricio
Credits to him, his side has qualified for the Europa League qualifiers. Fans ought to realise that Wolves were just promoted at the end of the 2017/18 season from the Championship and hardly anyone would have expected them to do so well in the Premier League.
Although Rui Patricio conceded 46 goals from 37 games, he kept 8 clean sheets. The number of clean sheets he has kept this season was more than Bernd Leno and experienced goalie David de Gea. The keepers from Arsenal and Manchester United respectively kept 7 clean sheets each.
The 31-year-old was initially meant to join Wolves on a free transfer after he cancelled his contract with Sporting Lisbon. After some negotiation, the clubs settled on a fee of €18 million for the Portuguese. For what he has achieved with the club this season, Patricio is certainly worth every cent of his price tag.
#8 Lucas Digne
Lucas Digne played 35 times for Everton in the Premier League this season and has often offered a threat down the left flank. He scored four goals and assisted four times for his team. In addition, he is one of the better tacklers for Everton with a tackle success of 64%.
The left-back was formerly from Barcelona but found that his chances to shine for the La Liga side have been limited. Eventually, he made a move to join the Toffees and is now thriving under Marco Silva.
Digne has done so well for the Merseyside that he was named the Everton Player of the Season recently. For a player who is playing in the Premier League for the first time, he definitely has proven that he can be a reliable defender at the back and also offer threats in the final third.
#7 Ricardo Pereira
The Leicester City right back has assisted seven times this season and he has been a regular starter for the club since his move last summer. The Portuguese defender made 216 recoveries and 106 clearances for the Foxes, playing a huge role at the back for his club.
In addition, the 25-year-old made 3.4 tackles on average per match. This illustrates his confidence and capability in coping with the attacking threats from other forwards in the Premier League.
Ricardo Pereira also won an averge of 1.9 aerial duels, the most since playing for Nice in the 2015/16 season. Fans voted the former Porto man for the club's Player of the Season and others have also showed their support by voting him as the Players' Player of the Season. He truly deserves applause for his consistent performances this season and will be expected to be one of the key players in the coming few seasons.
#6 Felipe Anderson
Felipe Anderson has been exceptional for West Ham, scoring nine goals and laying four assists in the Premier League. For the left-winger's debut season, his performance can be considered pretty consistent. However, despite his contribution for the club, Anderson was snubbed from the Brazil squad which will be competing in the Copa America.
The Hammers star also shined in a couple of big matches against Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United. In September 2018, Anderson scored one of the three goals when his side beat the Red Devils. Following that, he also provided one assist for his club when they held Liverpool to a draw.
Anderson has a shooting accruacy of 43% and makes an average of 1.8 key passes per match. Besides his attacking contribution, the midfielder also helps out with the defensive work, winning 2.5 tackles per game. Ultimately, he helped West Ham to a finish in the top half of the table.
#5 Fabinho
Just like how Alisson has been great between the goalposts, Fabinho has been equally influential in the midfield. The former Monaco player made 120 recoveries and had a tackle success of 59%. The 24-year-old enjoyed a slow start to his career at Anfield and made his first appearance in the Premier League in late October.
While fans see his hardwork at the heart of the midfield, Klopp has commented that the defensive midfielder is not at his best. He has a high passing accuracy of 85.3% in the Premier League. His accurate passes from deep down help his side to transition from defence to attack rapidly.
In Europe, the Brazilian made 1.4 clearances and 2.5 tackles per match. Although Liverpool failed to win the domestic title, they have a go at lifting the Champions League trophy. Fabinho's presence in the midfield will surely help limit Tottenham's attacking threat and allow the Reds to dominate in possession.
#4 James Maddison
The English midfielder recently told everyone that he would never forget his debut season with Leicester City. James Maddison was named the Foxes' Young Player of the Season after recording seven goals and seven assists in 36 games. It has been an amazing time for him considering the fact that it is his first season in the Premier League.
Although Gareth Southgate left him out of the England squad, the 22-year-old deserves praise for his attacking contribution this season. The attacking midfielder made a high of 2.8 key passes and 2.3 shots per game.
Maddison is certainly one of the bright young prospects in Brendan Rodgers' side and the manager should make good use of his abilities in the near future. Previously, Maddison played for Norwich City in the Championship before the Foxes signed him on a five-year deal.
#3 Joao Moutinho
Joao Moutinho joined Wolves from Monaco in the previous summer transfer window. Prior to signing for the club, the Portuguese admitted that he could have joined Everton or Tottenham in the past.
His move to the Wolves has certainly been the right choice. The central midfielder provided eight assists for his side this season and has been one of their star players. He has a passing accuracy of close to 85% and makes 2.2 key passes per game.
Because of his superb performances, Wolves have managed to finish seventh in the Premier League standings and even achieve positive results against teams from the top six.
The veteran midfielder's contract lasts till the end of the next season. At 32 years of age, he has played every single Premier League game this season and if he continues his top class performances, he will surely be able to help Wolves compete for the top six next season.
#2 Lucas Torreira
Not much was known about him when it was rumoured that Arsenal were keen to sign Lucas Torreira from Sampordia. Eventually, he has proved to be one of the best signings that Arsenal have made in recent years.
The Uruguayan was exactly the player that the team lacked over the last few seasons. He knew exactly when to make a challenge and was not afraid to throw himself to make a tackle. The 23-year-old has a passing accuracy of 87.8% and alongside Granit Xhaka, the duo have performed pretty well in all competitions.
Torreira became a fan favourite as soon as he played his first match for the Gunners. What mattered even more was that his first goal for the club came in the North London derby. His energetic displays in the midfield truly make him one of the best signings of the season.
Without him, Arsenal looked like a mess in the midfield at times.
#1 Raul Jimenez
Raul Jimenez joined Wolves on loan from Benfica at the start of the season. After his wonderful performances, the club did not hesitate to sign him on a permanent deal reportedly worth €35 million.
The striker scored 13 goals for the club and provided eight assists. He also scored four goals in six FA Cup appearances. This makes him the club's top scorer of the season and 43% of his shots were on target.
Everything has gone right for the 28-year-old this season and he could not have hoped for an even better debut season. The Mexican's hardwork earned him a spot in the starting eleven and a permanent position in the club.
Now, fans know that they count on him and his team-mates to deliver constantly. Participation in European competition next season will be the reward that Wolves truly deserve.
