On a Deadline Day that saw Edinson Cavani’s move to Manchester United steal most of the headlines, we weren’t short of action as the Thomas Party also secured a late £45million switch to Arsenal.
While the Deadline Day arrivals might be itching to go after the Premier League returns from the international break in a fortnight, football’s longest transfer window has seen a number of teams splash the cash this summer.
On a list that includes a World Cup-winner and a European superstar, who are the five summer arrivals who have made an immediate impact since making their move to England over the past few months.
James Rodriguez – Everton from Real Madrid
Watching Liverpool publically slip up away at Villa Park over the weekend, Everton have skyrocketed to the top of the Premier League entering the international break and they have one new talisman who has played a crucial role in their stunning purple patch.
While the red-hot Dominic Calvert-Lewin might have enjoyed a free-scoring start, many across Europe have lorded James Rodriguez’s immediate impact at Goodison Park after making a shock switch from Real Madrid.
Although fellow summer arrivals Allan and Abdoulaye Doucouré do deserve an honorable mention after they hit the ground running in the blue half of Merseyside, the Colombian superstar has quickly cemented his spot as Carlo Ancelotti’s MVP.
Putting in a Man of the Match display in Everton’s 4-2 win against Brighton on Saturday and bagging a brace at Goodison, the Champions League winner was also shortlisted for September’s Player of the Month award last week.
Callum Wilson – Newcastle from Bournemouth
With Newcastle fans very vocal about their side’s continued issues in front of goal last season, it was no surprise to many around St. James’ Park that a new striker was at the top of Steve Bruce’s summer wishlist.
Watching club-record signing Joelinton rather drastically struggle to live up to his £40million price tag working as a lone number nine, many around the North East were hugely excited when news broke that Callum Wilson had made the move from recently relegated Bournemouth.
With the Magpies only losing one of their opening four Premier League appearances this season, the England international has really hit the ground running and has already proven to be a successful signing.
Along with opening his account on his full debut for Bruce’s side and finding the net against West Ham on the opening weekend, Wilson also bagged a brace against Burnley on Saturday night and has already netted four strikes in as many appearances for Newcastle.
Ben Chilwell – Chelsea from Leicester
While Chelsea might have really broken the bank this summer and brought in the likes of Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Thiago Silva and Edouard Mendy, it appears that one new signing has made an immediate impact in West London.
With Marcos Alonso only watching his shaky reputation take another big hit after what was a dreadful performance against West Brom in the Blues’ 3-3 draw last month, Frank Lampard has been desperate to find a long-term left-back.
Bursting onto the scene in his Premier League debut for Lampard’s side over the weekend and leaving with a goal and an assist to his name, Ben Chilwell has shown he could have been the smartest piece of business by Chelsea.
Eventually coming to a £50million agreement with Leicester for the England star who was also attracting interest Manchester United and Manchester City, the 23-year-old could certainly prove to be a key factor in plugging what has become a leaky Chelsea defence.
Gabriel – Arsenal from Lille
Already lifting both the FA Cup and the Community Shield titles at an empty Wembley over the summer, it really does appear that the mood in Arsenal’s camp is at a real high and many around North London have been hugely excited by one of their summer arrivals.
Only continuing to show a string of glaring issues at the back last season, something that has certainly haunted them over the past few years, Gabriel has made an immediate impact at the Emirates and has been a real upgrade for the Gunners by the looks of things.
With a Champions League return at the top of their agenda, the 22-year-old made the move to Arsenal in a £27million deal from Lille and marked his Premier League debut with a goal in their 3-0 win against Fulham on the opening weekend.
Watching Arsenal win three of their opening four top-flight appearances and putting in a Man of the Match display against Sheffield United on Sunday, Gabriel is proving to be a smart move from Mikel Arteta.
Thiago Alcântara – Liverpool from Bayern Munich
Probably glad to have missed out on Liverpool’s famous 7-2 hammering away at Villa Park over the weekend, the arrival of Thiago Alcântara will certainly be seen as the Premier League’s notable signing of the summer.
While fans around Anfield had been more than vocal about their side’s cautious exploits in the transfer market, the defending champions certainly made a real statement by bringing in one of Europe’s top midfielders.
Although the Spaniard might have only made a couple of appearances for Jurgen Klopp’s side before giving a positive COVID-19 test, the one-time Barcelona starlet offers Liverpool a wealth of experience and silverware.
Seen to be a real coup for the former Borussia Dortmund boss, Liverpool would have considered themselves to have got a real bargain through the door this summer for just £25million paid over several installments.
With Klopp’s side already priced at 13/10 with Betfair to make it back-to-back Premier League crowns this season, could Thiago be the crucial difference in their title charge?
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