A critical look at the ten signings of the summer.
SEE MORE: Find out which teams celebrities support
10) Alberto Moreno (Liverpool)
Despite not enjoying the best of debuts for Liverpool in a 3-1 defeat to Manchester City earlier this week, young Spanish left-back Alberto Moreno should prove an excellent signing after joining from La Liga side Sevilla. The 22-year-old proved to be one of the best attacking full-backs in Europe last season, and his attacking style of play should suit Brendan Rodgers’ system perfectly once he settles into the pace of English football.
Read more Liverpool FC rumours.
9) Calum Chambers (Arsenal)
Something of a surprise signing perhaps, but Calum Chambers now looks like an excellent buy by Arsenal from Southampton even at a reported fee of £16m. The 19-year-old has made a great start to his career at the Emirates Stadium, playing in a slightly unfamiliar role of centre-back, but excelling in the position with a show of superb composure and maturity beyond his years. Chambers’ fine performances so far make him look like a great long-term acquisition, and he has even been recognised by England manager Roy Hodgson with a call-up to the latest national squad for upcoming friendlies.
8) Bacary Sagna (Manchester City)
A superb signing on a free, Manchester City have done well to snap up former Arsenal right-back Bacary Sagna to add to their defensive options this season. The experienced, tough-tackling Frenchman has been one of the best defenders in the Premier League for some time now and should relish the chance to play in a more well-drilled side that will surely be bringing home many more trophies in the years to come.
7) Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur)
Another player who, prior to this season, was a little-known young defender out of the spotlight, but Eric Dier now looks like a superb addition to Tottenham’s squad this summer. The England youngster looks to have a terrific future ahead of him after starting his development in Portuguese football with Sporting Lisbon, and he should prove a great find by Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, who is ushering in an exciting new era at White Hart Lane. Dier is no doubt one for the future, but he has made an immediate impact this season as well, scoring two goals in his first two Premier League games – a first for a defender in the Premier League era.
6) Romelu Lukaku (Everton)
Undoubtedly one of the best young strikers in the world, Everton have sent out a real statement of intent with a club-record £28m deal to sign Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea. The Belgian international has been superb in the last couple of seasons in loan spells for the Toffees and West Bromwich Albion before them, but has somehow failed to win over Jose Mourinho, who allowed him to leave Stamford Bridge. Lukaku should now continue his remarkable progress at Goodison Park and will be hoping to build on last season’s tally of 16 goals in all competitions.
5) Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
After the signing of Mesut Ozil last summer, Arsenal have shown real ambition in the transfer market again this year with the £35m signing of Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona. The Chilean forward was in superb form for the La Liga giants last season before also enjoying a fine World Cup with his national side, and can count himself somewhat unfortunate to have been sold by the club. Still, Barca’s loss is Arsenal’s gain and the 25-year-old should be a big hit at the Emirates Stadium once he gets used to his role in the side and adapts to the pace of the English game. After netting a crucial winning goal against Besiktas to ensure qualification for the Champions League, the signs are there that he could be about to hit top form for the Gunners.
4) Angel Di Maria (Manchester United)
The most expensive Premier League signing of this summer and indeed of all time, Angel Di Maria is a truly world class addition to the Manchester United squad after his £59.7m move from Real Madrid. The Argentine was arguably up there with Real’s best players last season as he contributed 11 goals and 26 assists to their Champions League and Copa del Rey double-winning campaign, and although it is not yet clear how needed he is in this United side and what role he will play, he is definitely the kind of calibre of player who is worth building a team around, and his big-name presence at Old Trafford should give everyone at the club a much-needed lift after recent disappointments.
3) Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea)
Another player bizarrely allowed to leave for relatively cheap by Barcelona, Cesc Fabregas is back in the Premier League with Chelsea and is no doubt one of the signings of the whole summer. The former Arsenal captain was one of the best midfielders in the world in his first spell in England, even if things didn’t quite work out for him upon returning to the Nou Camp. With the legendary Frank Lampard leaving at the end of last season, Fabregas has all the quality to prove a top-class replacement in the middle of the park, with a great record in contributing goals, assists and overall quality with his great vision and technique.
2) Mario Balotelli (Liverpool)
Undoubtedly a gamble, but one that could pay off marvelously for Liverpool if it works out – Mario Balotelli is back in the Premier League after just a year and a half away with Serie A giants AC Milan. The former Manchester City star proved highly entertaining in his first spell in English football, and arguably looks an improved player now after some fine goalscoring performances in his native Italy. With Liverpool losing Luis Suarez to Barcelona, a truly world class replacement was needed, and they certainly have that in Balotelli. His behaviour is still questionable and will need some work, but Brendan Rodgers could be the best manager to get him grounded and fulfilling his world class potential.
1) Diego Costa (Chelsea)
After a difficult couple of years without a truly world class striker, Chelsea have made their most important signing in a long time by bringing in Diego Costa from Atletico Madrid. The Spanish powerhouse forward has made a great start to life at Stamford Bridge after his goals almost single-handedly guided Diego Simeone’s side to the La Liga title last season, and he could have a similar impact again this year. Based on what we’ve seen so far from Costa, he looks a bargain at £32m given some of the fees being paid for players these days, and his importance to this Chelsea side puts a good case forward for him being the signing of the whole summer in the Premier League.
SEE MORE: Best strikers in the world