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We have crossed the halfway mark of the 2019-20 season across the top 5 leagues in Europe, with most teams having played more than half their games for the season. Some teams and players have underperformed and have been unable to live up to the high expectations, whereas others have surprised us and have shown that hard work pays off.
As we have entered January, the winter transfer window is officially open. Some teams will be looking to sign a player who could prove to be the final piece of the puzzle. Of course, the January window is nowhere near the hype level of the summer transfer window - especially that of 2019, where some big names moved across Europe for some big money.
Now, with half the season done and another transfer window open, we take a look at the five best signings of the summer transfer window so far based on their performances with their new teams.
5. Idrissa Gueye - Paris Saint-Germain
The current Ligue 1 champions had been after Idrissa Gueye for quite a while - the club wanted to sign the midfielder last January, but that move did not take place. They waited for the summer, and they finally got their man, who would directly slot into the team's midfield and strengthen it in the place they need it most.
Gueye made a name for himself in the Premier League by putting in some very impressive performances for the Everton team. Over the past four seasons, no player had made as many tackles in England's top division as the Senegalese. Since his move to France, Gueye has performed very well in his role and although he does not get much credit due to his position and the presence of stars around him, he is now a very important part of Paris Saint-Germain.
So far this campaign, the former Everton midfielder has made 15 appearances for his team and averages 2 interceptions and almost 4 tackles per game. He also completes a highly impressive 92% of his passes per game, while creating over one big chance per 90 minutes. With the help of Gueye in midfield, PSG's bid for the elusive Champions League title is now at a much better position.
4. Martin Odegaard - Real Sociedad
It is almost impossible to think that Martin Odegaard is still only 21 years old, as his name has been thrown around by the media forever. The youngest entrant on this list, the former wonder-kid has improved his game significantly every season at the top level, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that he has been one of Europe's best central midfielders so far this season.
Real Sociedad signed the youngster on a one-year loan deal from fellow Spanish club Real Madrid, who had bought the player more than four years ago from Norwegian club Strømsgodset Toppfotball. Named the La Liga player of the month for September, Odegaard has been by far the best player for Real Sociedad, and will most likely be starting for Real Madrid from next season onwards.
So far this season, Odegaard has been involved in 9 goals in 17 appearances and has put up amazing shifts versus the likes of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. He has been one of the most creative players in Spain, averaging over 2.6 key passes per game while completing almost 3 dribbles every 90 minutes. Real Sociedad will be sad to see Odegaard leave at the end of this season, and his place in this list is without question.
3. Chris Smalling - AS Roma
When Chris Smalling was sold to AS Roma, Manchester United thought they were getting rid of an average defender and replacing him with a much better one in the form of Harry Maguire. However, almost six months down the line, Smalling has outperformed every single defender at his former club and statistically, he has been the Serie A's best defender so far this season.
Roma is currently in the fourth position in the Serie A, and a lot of that is thanks to their defence which has conceded only 19 goals so far. Smalling deserves a lot of credit for that - in 13 Serie A appearances, the centre back is averaging over one tackle, two interceptions, and 4.2 clearances per game. On top of that, he wins over 4.5 aerial duels per game while also completing 90% of his passes.
At the age of 30, Smalling has reinvented himself in a league which has traditionally placed a lot of importance on defence. He is now an integral part of a Roma team contending for a top 3 finish, and the club will be more than happy to have him beyond this season.
2. Mauro Icardi - Paris Saint-Germain
Mauro Icardi was a consistent goalscoring threat while with Inter Milan; the only questionable part was his personality and whether or not he could avoid drama everywhere he went. As such, his move to Paris Saint-Germain made perfect sense - slotting in beside two of the world's best forwards in Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, and in a team whose sole aim was the capture of the Champions League.
Away from the controversy that surrounded him at Inter, the Argentine international has flourished at PSG. In 19 appearances, the forward has scored 17 goals and assisted two more as he has established himself to be the best striker in France's top division. Most recently, Icardi netted a hattrick in the French League cup and he already has five goals in the Champions League this season.
While Mbappe and Neymar are universally recognised as two of the game's best forwards right now, Icardi's performances are putting him in the same category. Although a loan deal at the moment, there is little doubt that PSG will sign Icardi on a permanent deal in the upcoming summer transfer window.
1. Romelu Lukaku - Inter Milan
Manager Antonio Conte had made it no secret that he was after Romelu Lukaku for quite a while now, it is easy to see why the Italian wanted the services of the Belgian international for so long. After being suffocated at Manchester United under a coach he did not quite get along with, Lukaku has been a man reborn at Inter Milan as he has scored 16 goals in 23 appearances for the club so far.
Inter Milan could not have been happier with their big-money signing. Despite the departure of Icardi, the club currently sits atop the Serie A table at the halfway mark of the season, and a lot of that has to do with Lukaku's resurgence. With 14 goals in Italy's top division, only Ciro Immobile has scored more goals than the former Everton striker who has adjusted to life in a new country as easily as a fish takes to water.
Conte's men crashed out of the Champions League group stages, but Lukaku's form and his goals have been the primary reason why the campaign so far has been so fruitful otherwise. The striker's most recent performance in the league saw him score a brace against Napoli, and most importantly for Inter, Lukaku is back to enjoying football and he is exactly where he wants to be at the moment. As such, his place at the top of this list is inarguable at this point.
