Top 10 summer signings who have surprised everyone with their impact

The summer transfer window is always full of uncertainties. Some big names go on to fail for their new teams, while some unheralded names settle in really well and become the backbone of their teams.These summer signings have become so vital for their teams now that it is hard to imagine they were bought just in the summer. Some of them were not even playing regularly for their previous clubs while others have settled seamlessly into their new surroundings.The people involved in bringing these players to their clubs definitely deserve a pat on their back. We take a look into the top 10 summer signings who have surprised everyone with their impacts.

#10 Paulo Dybala - Juventus

Having scored 17 goals in his debut season for Juventus, Paulo Dybala has been in scintillating form for Juventus. The Argentine arrived on a five-year deal for a fee of €32 million from Palermo and he has immediately become the star of the Juventus team.

A quick, creative, and agile player, with good technical ability, Dybala is known for his dribbling skills and close control in limited spaces. The Argentine is capable both of creating chances for team-mates, as well as scoring goals himself, due to his vision and ability to play off of other players, as well as his powerful, and accurate ball striking ability.

Dybala initially had a tough start at Juventus but settled in very quickly making crucial contributions in decisive games. Now, Dybala has become the single most important player for the Serie A giants.

Many have already compared him to Lionel Messi and Dybala will be pleased if he achieves even half of what his countryman has achieved.

#9 Toby Alderweireld - Tottenham Hotspur

The Belgian has been key to Tottenham’s defensive displays this season being ever present in the Spurs side. Alderweireld joined Tottenham Hotspur on a five-year contract which runs until summer of 2020 for a transfer fee estimated to be around £11.5 million.

Alderweireld mainly plays as a centre-back although he is also capable of playing in the right-back position.The Belgian has settled in seamlessly at White Hart Lane and he along with Vertonghen have made Spurs a formidable defensive outfit.

Alderweireld has played every minute of the Premier League so far and Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has been absolutely thrilled with his new signing praising him as one of the best signings in the Premier League.

“It is obvious that Alderweireld is one of the best defenders in the Premier League,

“It is easy to analyse him now, he adapts and has very good performances with maturity and experience. He is a great man and we are very happy with him.”

Pochettino will be looking to guide Tottenham to the Premier League title this year.

#8 Pepe Reina - Napoli

The Spanish goalkeeper has surprisingly played really well for Napoli this season. Reina was very much the second choice goalkeeper for Bayern Munich last season, however, after having made a move to Napoli in the summer, Reina immediately slotted into the Napoli team putting in consistent displays between the sticks.

Reina is well known for his distribution, and ability to save penalties. A superb shot-stopper, Reina has shown his abilities to the fullest for Napoli this season. Although Higuain has taken most of the plaudits for Napoli's good showing this season, Reina has been equally important for the Italian side challenging for the Serie A title this season.

Napoli manager Sarri has praised the impact of Reina this season saying:

“Pepe Reina has been perfect for us this season.

“ He is an experienced player and he has shown his quality for Napoli. I am very happy we signed him this season”.

Sarri will be hoping Reina continues his good form as Napoli look to challenge Juventus for the Serie A title.

#7 Kevin De Bruyne - Manchester City

Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has shown why Manchester City forked out a staggering £55 million to secure his services this season. With 9 assists and 12 goals in just 31 appearances for Manchester City this season, the Belgian playmaker has settled in at the Premier League wonderfully.

The Belgian was at Chelsea a few seasons back, but he was inexplicably not given enough chances to make much of an impact. However after an extremely successful spell at Wolfsburg, De Bruynehas just continued his stunning form settling in effortlessly at the Premier League.

The Belgian has become such a crucial part of Manchester City that his injury immediately saw a dip in form for the Citizens. Pellegrini has been absolutely thrilled with De Bruyne’s impact and he has hailed him as the perfect player:

"We bought Kevin because we knew is a very creative player who can score and create goals and in that respect he was the perfect player to bring to our club," Pellegrini said.

The Belgian has certainly created and scored his share of goals for Manchester City this season.

#6 Lucas Digne - AS Roma

Considered to be one of the most promising left-backs in the game, Lucas Digne never really got enough opportunities to showcase his abilities at Paris Saint-Germain. The Frenchman moved to Roma on a season-long loan deal worth €2.5 million with the Italian side having an option of buying him permanently in the summer.

Roma might well exercise that option as Lucas Digne has settled in wonderfully at the Serie A side. The left back is solid defensively and provides a good option while attacking making him the perfect full-back to have in the team.

The Italian team have struggled to find a suitable left-back ever since Riise’s departure with Ashley Cole failing to make an impact in the Italian side. They finally seem to have found a player who suits their style of play.

Having already played for top French teams like Lille and PSG, Lucas Digne seems to be fulfilling his vast potential at Italian side AS Roma.

#5 Dimitri Payet - West Ham

When West Ham signed Dimitri Payet from Marseille, everyone knew they had managed to pull off a coup by signing a player of his calibre, but not even the most optimistic of West Ham fans would have imagined the impact he has had at the Hammers.

With 5 assists and 9 goals in all competitions for West Ham this season, the Frenchman has become a firm fan favourite. The first truly world-class star to play for West Ham since the departures of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano, Payet has turned in some amazing and eye-catching performances for West Ham this season.

His performances have drawn praise from all quarters and the Hammers’ manager showed just how impressed he was when he said:

"I have to get poetry lessons to describe his importance to us," said Croatian Bilic.

"I haven't seen better players than that. He is also doing the dirty work and on the ball he is up there with Luka Modric from the players I have trained so far, Dimitri is one of the best I have trained and every week I want these questions about him to continue, but it is hard to be surprised."

#4 N\'golo Kante - Leicester City

Kante has been absolutely superb this season and he along with Vardy and Mahrez is one of the main reasons for Leicester City’s Premier League challenge. Playing in midfield, Kante's all-action displays for Leicester have been key for his side's high-intensity style of play.

Signed for €8 million from French side SM Caen, he has proved to be one of the bargain buys of the summer. His importance to the team can be seen from the fact that Leicester City have struggled ever since he got injured last month.

Kante is so valued by his manager that Ranieri compared him to one of the best midfield enforcers to ever play the game, Claudio Makelele:

"I think Kanté can achieve this position. He is a good midfielder, a very good midfielder. He is quiet but he can improve a lot because he can play as a central midfielder like when I had Makelele.

“Kante is the soul of this Leicester team.”

#3 Javier Hernandez - Bayer Leverkusen

23 goals in 29 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen this season, Chicharito has been in stunning form for the German outfit. Hernandez was always known as a prolific goalscorer but after being frozen out of the United squad and a mixed loan spell at Real Madrid, the Mexican has finally discovered his mojo at Leverkusen.

Hernández has been typically described as a "goal-poacher", due to a number of his goals being scored from close-range. His movement off the ball, pace, and ability to find space inside the box has been absolutely exemplary this season.

Fourth on the top scorers list in the Bundesliga, the little Mexican has been the talisman of the Bayer Leverkusen side. Chipping in with crucial goals, Hernandez has almost single-handedly kept the German team competitive in all competitions this season.

Chicharito recently won the January Bundesliga player of the month and Roger Schmidt will be hoping that the Mexican continues his stunning form.

#2 Douglas Costa - Bayern Munich

Douglas Costa has surprisingly settled very well in the star-studded line-up of Bayern Munich. The Brazilan was bought from Ukranian side Shakhtar Donetsk for a fee of €30m and based on his performances for the Bavarian giants this season, Costa is worth every penny.

Known for his pace. trickery and crossing skills, Costa has ensured that Bayern have not missed Robben and Ribery during the time they were injured. With 11 assists and 5 goals for Bayern Munich in just 28 appearances, Costa has made crucial contributions to Munich’s customary dominant Bundesliga season.

Pep Guardiola has been very impressed with the Brazilian’s contributions this season and he has backed him to become one of the best in the world. Speaking on Costa’s abilities, Guardiola said:

"He is one of the best wingers in the world. He has a quality which is hard to find: The quality of his dribbles."

Costa will be looking forward to continuing his stunning form as the season reaches a crucial stage for Pep Guardiola and his Bayern Munich team.

#1 Anthony Martial - Manchester United

With 10 goals in 33 matches for Manchester United, Anthony Martial has been the standout performer for the Premier League giants this season. Eyebrows were raised when Martial was bought for an eye-watering fee of £36 million which could potentially rise to £58 million from French team Monaco.

However, seven months down the line it looks like being a very shrewd acquisition from Manchester United. United have never been shy of spending on teenagers and they have previously spent astronomical sums on Ronaldo, Rooney and Luke Shaw with Ronaldo and Rooney being two of the greatest players ever to play for Manchester United.

Upon signing, Martial said, "I'm so excited to join United, I have always wanted to play in the Premier League and to join the biggest club in the world is what every young footballer dreams of." Van Gaal stated, "Anthony is a naturally talented, young, multi-functional forward with great potential. I believe this is the club for him to continue his development."

The Frenchman is clearly the best player in the United squad this season and having already won the Golden Boy award this season, Martial has truly amazed fans worldwide with his impact for Manchester United this season.