Top 5 Premier League signings apart from the Big 6 clubs in January window

The English Premier League still remains one of the world's most competitive football leagues, despite runaway leaders Liverpool currently sitting on a 22 point cushion on the top of the table. The reason for this level of competition is nothing but the rise of the mid-table and bottom half clubs in the past decade.

These clubs apart from the traditional 'Big 6' are the reason why the Premier League still remains undecided towards the end of the latter halves of the season every year, as teams like Crystal Palace, Everton, and Wolverhampton Wanderers are known to cause upsets the table-toppers.

What makes these mid-table sides so impressive is the dearth of unknown bright talent that they recruit every season to stay alive in the top flight while causing some shockers against big sides.

Today we take a look at the top 5 signings from such mid-table Premier League sides in the 2020 winter transfer window, which just closed last week.

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#5 Danny Rose (Newcastle United)

The English full-back has found a life-line in Newcastle United

Danny Rose has been one of Tottenham's most important players in the past decade or so, in the left back position. But, due to a dip in his form and performances over the last two seasons, Rose found himself out of favour at his long time club.

Now the English full-back has found a life-line under Steve Bruce, on loan at Newcastle United.

This move might just be the steal of the season as the 29-year-old has premiership experience, can handle the pressure of playing against top clubs and can easily fit into the Newcastle side who needs leaders on the pitch currently.

As the Magpies battle it out to stay alive in the top flight, a defensive powerhouse like Rose can only be an upgrade over the current squad members and Steve Bruce might be hoping that the right-back repays his faith in the upcoming fixtures.

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#4 Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United)

Jarrod Bowen is a versatile player

On the fourth spot is none other than West Ham United's £22m signing, Jarrod Bowen from Hull City.

Since his debut in 2017, no player has scored more Championship goals than Bowen, which highlights the importance of this signing for West Ham. The 23-year old is also one of the most versatile members in the squad as he can play as a winger, midfielder as well as a striker upfront on the pitch.

This means David Moyes can deploy him possibly in various positions as per the oppositions' weaknesses. The Englishman was apparently on the radar for Crystal Palace, but West Ham decided to break their bank for signing him and this reveals how highly he is rated in London.

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#3 Mbwana Samatta (Aston Villa)

Mbwana Samatta has had an immediate impact at Aston Villa

Another fantastic signing has been Aston Villa's Mbwana Samatta, who was signed from FC Genk in an £8.5m deal.

Samatta made immediate impact as he scored against Bournemouth on his debut, which is also now a record in the Aston Villa books. The Tanzanian has been a revelation at Genk and now is expected to bring his exploits to the Premier League.

The 27-year old's signing comes in the wake of Brazilian Wesley Moraes not performing to the best of expectations, while midfielder Jack Grealish is having his career best season in top flight football.

The only thing Villa currently needed was a striker who could combine with the talent of Grealish on the attacking front, and Samatta might just be the answer to their prayers as he is a deadly prolific striker who can score all types of goals for his team.

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#2 Daniel Podence (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

Nuno Espirito Santo has signed anther Portuguese gem

Wolves continue building their team with Portuguese roots, as they confirmed the signing of Daniel Podence from Olympiakos on a £16.6 million deal. This will see the playmaker stay at the club for four and a half years.

Podence has been under European clubs' spotlights for some time now, but he came into the limelight after his recent exploits in the Champions League group stages.

With Wolves now a fairly complete side, this is an attempt by Nuno Espirito Santo to increase his squad depth by bringing in quality players. The 24-year old's signing comes as a huge boost to the squad which needs consistent play-makers to perform, as forward Raul Jimenez has been having a season to remember as a poacher in front of the goal this season.

If Podence combines well with Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves, we might see one of the best midfield combinations being born out of a mid-table side in the coming years.

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#1 Sander Berge (Sheffield United)

The Norwegian is touted to be a game-changer signing for Sheffield United

One of the shockers this season in the Premier League has been Sheffield United who have outclassed even some of the Big 6 on their journey which puts them in an astonishing sixth position after 25 games played.

Chris Wilder's team have definitely avoided relegation in such a fashion that the club is currently on its way to Europa League play-offs if they continue to put in consistent performances till the end of the season.

In an attempt to do the same, the club has made their record signing of Sander Berge for a reported £22 million from FC Genk, a player who has been on the radar of many European clubs for sometime now.

The 21-year old wonderkid is apparently so highly rated that Liverpool and Manchester United have scouted him earlier this season and have been closely monitoring his progress until Sheffield decided to bring him to the Premier League in this winter transfer window.

The Norwegian is touted to be a game-changer for the side, and if he can enhance his side's goal-scoring statistics towards the end of the season, we might see Sheffield in the Europa League which might be a big achievement for the newly promoted side.

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