Summer is a frantic time for football clubs as they look to assemble a squad suitable to match their ambitions. The Premier League has thrown up its fair share of surprises at both ends of the table. But, games are often decided by a stroke of genius from players who stand up at key moments and make their presence felt.
Over the years, the top tier of English football has been littered with extraordinary talent that has captivated fans from across the globe and made the Premier League, arguably, the most popular in the world. This season has been no different.
With mid-table clubs starting to splash the cash, games have become ever so engrossing with results going in favour of the so called ‘lesser teams’ who are rewarded for their sense of adventure. Let’s look at some of the top signings from this season -
Toby Alderweireld
Mauricio Pochettino has had the footballing world raving about Tottenham. A rejuvenated, high-pressing Spurs side has been the embodiment of a team and even though they may be a little too far behind Leicester in the fag end of the season, they’ve had an exceedingly successful season.
From Harry Kane to Dele Ali, a boisterous London side has been led by an Argentine who’s brought the best out of his players. But, the heart of Spurs’ success has been their defence which has been led by Toby Alderweireld. The Belgian has played every single game for Tottenham, helping them keep 12 clean sheets and concede only 25 goals, making them the tightest defence in the league.
Alderweireld has managed to score four goals while averaging 1.6 aerial duels won per game, becoming the linchpin for a side that has flourished under the former Southampton manager. Such was the perseverance of Pocchetino, that he managed to rope in Alderweireld despite a deal in place for the Belgian with his former employers, Southampton.
With his compatriot Jan Vertonghen spending significant time on the sidelines due to injuries, Alderweireld has had to hold the backline together with Wimmer, forging a great partnership ahead of enigmatic goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. At £11.4 million, Daniel Levy clearly bargained a steal for his club and with Champions League football all but certain for the North London side, Aldeweireld and his colleagues have a long way to go.
Dimitri Payet
Not many players can get you out of your seat or make you sit back and admire while they orchestrate a symphony. Dimitri Payet does all that and more. His sublime touch coupled with his grace in possession have made him an instant favorite with the Hammers faithful.
Such has been his influence that even Didier Deschamps has found it hard to ignore Payet, who recently got called up to a starstudded French side. Although Payet’s meteoric rise in the Premier League has been surprising, the former Marseille midfielder came with proper pedigree.
His previous season in Ligue 1 saw him rack up 17 assists and seven goals in 36 appearences whilst creating a total of 135 chances. He’s replicated his fine form but done so with class and a swagger that has not often been associated with West Ham in recent times. His sublime free-kicks and ability to pick out the right pass has helped West Ham transition from the back with great fluidity.
Though it remains to be seen whether the Hammers can clinch a top four spot, there’s no doubting that Payet has been at the heart of Slaven Bilic’s success mantra.
Kevin De Bruyne
Manchester City’s most expensive signing has turned out to be a wonderboy this season. A former Chelsea player, Kevin De Bruyne has taken to the Premier League like a fish to water in his second stint in Britain’s top footballing league. A player who can play in the centre or on the wings, has taken over the mantle of being City’s key playmaker, a role that David Silva used to flourish in.
Having played in 22 games in the league, the Belgian international has managed six goals and nine assists, an impressive feat even by his own high standards. De Bruyne’s impact was most felt after his injury in January as City visibly slumped in their performances, scoring less goals and dropping points that pushed them down the league table.
The Belgian's comeback has coincided with a goal and an assist at the Parc des Princes against PSG and an eventual knockout of the French club with an inspiring performance in the reverse fixture. City’s success in the Champions League may hinge on how much of an impact, the effervescent Kevin De Bruyne, can have.
Petr Cech
Such is the appreciation of his services that Chelsea did not stop Petr Cech’s wish to remain in London but switch clubs to rivals Arsenal. After him joining the Gunners in the summer, Arsenal have looked more compact and leaked lesser goals with the Czech international between the posts. In 28 games, the 6’5” shot-stopper has kept 12 clean sheets but his calming influence has eased the nerves of many Arsenal fans.
Although 33, the southpaw still has a good set of years to give to Arsenal, who seem to be struggling to put a good run of games together. The London outfit had been crying out for a commanding figure at the back and in Cech, they have a proven winner who has already slotted in well at the back.
Apart from his possitional intelligence, Cech’s distribution is the envy of many goalkeepers. While Arsenal continue to border mediocrity and brilliance at the same time, the fans have at least one less thing to worry about.
N’Golo Kante
Leicester are writing one of the greatest books in football’s historical library that may have Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez on the cover page. But somewhere in the middle, a certain N’Golo Kante has excelled in his role to help players in front of him flourish.
A player signed for £5.6 million from Caen, the French footballer has been a wall barricading Leicester’s fortress. The Parisian has averaged 4.5 tackles per game with a successful pass percentage of 81.6%.
His heat maps reveals how there isn’t a blade of grass he hasn’t covered. Enough stress cannot be laid on how important his contribution has been to the Foxes’ success this season.
His range of passes coupled with his unflinching work rate, have formed a backbone for Leicester that has been vital to them nicking crucial points either at home or away. The final chapters of Leicester’s heroic tale are still to be written but Kante’s name will find a mention in more than one.
