The summer transfer window has been slammed shut and the English Premier League smashed the previously established transfer record by spending over £1 billion.
That sum included the world-record signing of Paul Pogba from Juventus, who made a cool £89.25 million. Clubs are benefitting from the new Premier League’s new television deal. But who spent their money wisely, and who were fools, spending money like a drunken sailor on shore leave?
FantasySports.co.uk looks at the best English Premier League transfers of the summer.
Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic – Manchester United
It is hard to argue that Manchester United signed the best players from Serie A and France’s Ligue 1 in the offseason. Pogba is a phenomenal talent that will only get better with time. He is already thrilling fans at Old Trafford despite not scoring yet. Ibrahimovic has carried his form from last season over and has already scored three goals in three games. Put it this way, United paid nothing for Ibrahimovic. Yes, they paid over the odds for Pogba. But when you get both of them the price of one, that isn’t bad business.
Sadio Mane – Liverpool
Liverpool signed Sadio Mane from Southampton in June for £36m. The club got their business done early, and it has shown in the opening fixtures. Mane has looked extremely lively on the right side of the attack. Against Tottenham, he was uncontainable as Liverpool should have got all three points. Mane looks to be the best player Liverpool have signed from Southampton, their feeder club of sorts over the last few years, and he should continue to thrive under Jurgen Klopp’s watchful eye.
Nolito – Manchester City
Manchester City fans will been forgiven for thinking Nolito’s signing from Celta Vigo was just to make up the numbers. For £13.8m, the Spaniard has been one of the bargain buys of the early Premier League season. Two goals and an assist only tell part of the story. Nolito’s dynamism on the left side has allowed Sergio Aguero more space and movement. It has also given City a truly dangerous set of wingers, especially now that Raheem Sterling has found form under Pep Guardiola. Manchester City have a ferious front three, one that will run at defences all day long.
David Luiz – Chelsea
David Luiz was not the centre-back Chelsea wanted, however, the club seemed desparate to land someone. Luiz just happened to be available, and the Brazilian returns to Stamford Bridge a much better player than when he left in 2014. Luiz should slot in right away, and will allow Antonio Conte to use the ageing John Terry sparingly. It seems like we’ve heard that before. He will make a good partnership with Gary Cahill, but the problem is neither man has the foot speed to thrive in Conte’s high-back line defence. Regardless, Luiz’s return was a solid piece of business for £30m.
Christian Benteke – Crystal Palace
Within months of his debut at Anfield, Liverpool had given up hope on Christian Benteke. Now at Crystal Palace after a £26.52m move to Sellhurst Park, Benteke has the chance to revitalise his career after being written off. The positive for Benteke is that Palace will offer him ample opportunities to rediscover his best form. He will be their main striker, and can play as an out and out target man, allowing Palace’s wingers to pump crosses into the 18-yard box for the Belgian to head home.
Jack Wilshere – AFC Bournemouth
Despite what everyone says about how technically gifted and skillful Jack Wilshere is, the fact is, he has rarely shown it due to injury. Since 2009, Wilshere has missed 154 games thanks to injury. Amazingly, most of his injuries are recurring rather than one-off problems. Although Wilshere would have been better off leaving England altogether and going to Serie A side Roma, he chose to move to Bournemouth. The move should define Wilshere’s career. He will either gain form and stay fit, or he will continue the trajectory he has been on. If he stays the course, Arsenal will be justified in letting him go out on loan; and the club will be ready to cut their ties with him.
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