It was a busy summer in the Premier League as spending continued to turn up a notch, especially for the clubs lower down the Premier League table.
There was an influx of signings, as teams scrambled to mount a title challenge, seal a place in the top four or stave of relegation. As always, there have been players that have come off brilliantly, whilst others have failed to impress, but when looking at the players who were signed for the most money, who has been a hit and who has been a miss?
Arsenal – Petr Cech - £10 million
On reflection, an absolute steal from Arsene Wenger. Who knows where the Gunners would be without Cech in goal? The Czech has practically kept them in the title race, and the wealth of experience he’s bought to the squad can’t be underestimated. Making some crucial saves and helping the club to keep one of the best defensive records in the League this season, this man is definitely a HIT.
Aston Villa - Jordan Amavi - £10 million
The left back was extremely unlucky to rupture his anterior cruciate ligament towards the start of the season, but received rave reviews from many who watched him play. He was one of many who arrived from France at Villa park and after only a few weeks at the club was linked with some big name clubs, and will undoubtedly ditch the sinking ship that is Aston Villa over the summer. Remarkably, this is a HIT.
Bournemouth – Tyrone Mings - £8 million
He WAS Bournemouth’s record signing after thoroughly impressing in the Championship with Ipswich Town, attracting the eyes of numerous top flight sides but opting for a switch to the Champions. Again, extremely unlucky to suffer a serious injury towards the beginning of the season but will, no doubt, be playing Premier League next season. HIT.
Chelsea – Pedro - £21 million
It was a propaganda victory for Jose Mourinho when he snatched the Barcelona wing man from under the noses of Manchester United, but it hasn’t happened for Pedro during his first season in England. I have no doubt, given the ability demonstrated in Spain with Barcelona, that he could get going next season, but four goals and two assists this year isn’t good enough given the illustrious fee coughed up. MISS.
Crystal Palace – Yohan Cabaye - £13 million
This was a landmark signing for Alan Pardew after lifting Palace from the relegation into mid-table during the second half of last season, and signing Yohan Cabaye was an indication that relegation was to be left behind and whispers of European ambitions began to spread. However, it hasn’t gone to plan and as Palace have declined so has, significantly, the form of Cabaye, who has sunk into obscurity. However, his excellent form at the start of the season probably means he’s a HIT.
Everton – Ramiro Funes Mori - £9.5 million
‘Who?’ the world exclaimed when Ramiro Funes Mori made the switch from Argentine side River Plate to Merseyside club Everton, but he’s largely impressed. It would be an understatement to say Everton’s defensive record this season hasn’t been great, but Funes Mori has been very good and has scored some big goals from set pieces, demonstrating enormous passion as well. HIT.
Leicester City – Shinji Okazaki - £7.2 million
Looking at this list of players and then looking at the Premier League table, it’s amazing to think that Leicester’s biggest signing cost only £7.2 million. It’s also weird to think this guy was signed by Nigel Pearson, and now leads the front line with Jamie Vardy. They’re almost the same player, Okazaki exuberates pace and has a terrific work rate. Despite not having the best scoring record, he’s been a good addition. HIT.
Liverpool – Christian Benteke - £32.5 million
I was amazed when Liverpool actually went and stumped up £32.5 million to sign Benteke, who, to me, is not a top seven striker, and doesn't fit the type of striker that revels in the way Liverpool feed their strikers. With seven goals so far this season, paying £4.6 million per goal, there’s no doubt that the Belgian has been another sizeable flop for the Reds, and it wouldn’t shock anyone if he wasn’t at the club next year. MISS.
Manchester City – Kevin De Bruyne - £52 million
He’s had a lengthy spell on the sidelines, but Kevin De Bruyne has had a very strong return to England after leaving Chelsea a few years ago. His hefty price tag and poor spell at Stamford Bridge led many to believe he would flop, but he’s slotted into the side well and giving City a destructive front line. With five goals and nine assists, he’s a HIT.
Manchester United – Anthony Martial - £36 million
A sparkling gem in a poor season for the Red Devils. Many had reservations as to the extortionate amount of money splurged on the Monaco talent, labelling him as a panic buy. However, he has been brilliant, exploding his season into life with a staggering goal against arch rivals Liverpool on his début for the club. Winning the Golden Boy award last year, he’s propelled himself into the limelight as one of the worlds most promising young talents. HIT.
Georgino Wijnaldum – Newcastle United - £14.5 million
Newcastle looked to have put their relegation troubles behind them over the summer after spending a shed load of money on new additions. One of these was highly rated Dutchman Georgino Wijnaldum, who has been a key player for Newcastle this year. Unfortunately, consistency has been an issue, often completely invisible but then putting in performances that see him score four times against Norwich. HIT.
Robbie Brady – Norwich City - £7 million
Despite being involved in two successful relegations there’s no doubt that Robbie Brady is incredibly underrated, and has versatility, able to play at left back or on the left wing. He’s impressed at Norwich and could lead the way to safety if they are going to get out of this relegation scare. HIT.
Virgil Van Dijk – Southampton - £11.5 million
The Dutchman was a long term target for the Saints and was bought in after they missed out on bringing in Toby Alderweireld on a permanent basis after an impressive loan spell. Arriving from Celtic, he’s looked very strong and has formed a strong partnership with captain Jose Fonte, moving into a back three seamlessly. Definitely a HIT.
Xherdan Shaqiri – Stoke City - £12 million
Many scoffed when Mark Hughes lined up an audacious move for Shaqiri in January 2015, before he moved to Inter, but they only went and did it the following summer. The man from Switzerland has lived up to expectation and will undoubtedly attract the attention of bigger clubs later on. His three goals and five assists are seeing him lead Stoke towards Europe. HIT.
Fabio Borini – Sunderland - £10 million
It felt right when Borini returned to Sunderland over the summer after a successful loan spell at the club two years ago. The forward, who can play up front or on the wings, scored a terrific goal last week against Crystal Palace, has been average at best and has struggled to push his way into the Black Cats first eleven despite their struggles this year. MISS.
Eder – Swansea City - £5.2 million
Swansea looked towards the beast that is Eder for sustenance up front after losing Wilfried Bony in the January window before them and following the disappointment Bafetimbi Gomis. He has been extremely unimpressive, however, only making 13 appearance before being shipped out on loan to Lille over the January market without a goal in England. MISS.
Son-Heung Min – Tottenham Hotspur - £22 million.
Big things were expected when the South Korean made the big money switch from Bayer Leverkusen. He’s scarcely appeared for Spurs, making nine starts the London club and 12 appearances off the bench, scoring twice and one assist. He hasn’t been nearly effectual as expected, although I’m sure next season he’ll be much better after getting used to the harshness of the Premier League. MISS.
Etienne Capoue – Watford - £6 million
Capoue was extremely poor during his two seasons at Tottenham after signing from French club Toulouse, only making 24 appearances for the club before being shipped out to Watford following their promotion. He’s actually been very strong in his holding midfield role and aside from Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo, has probably been Watford’s player of the season. HIT.
Salomon Rondon – West Brom - £12 million
It was a marquee signing for Tony Pulis over the summer. Rondon was an extremely good player for Zenit over in Russia with 20 goals in his solitary season at the club. Rondon, along with the rest of West Brom’s front line, has been fairly disappointing so far, but if he can get to 10 goals by the end of the season, I’d say that’s a pretty decent return. For now, MISS.
Dimitri Payet – West Ham - £10.7 million
Well, what else can I say? There’s no doubt that Payet has been one of the Premier League’s best players this season, and has been the force pushing West Ham within touching distance of Champions League football. Slaven Bilic has hailed him as a player like no other, which is no overstatement. Undoubtedly a HIT.
Source: DSG
