This summer window has seen a lot of movement, with many interesting signings being made across Europe. In this article, we’re rating the top summer signings of the window, with many of these picks being massive, high-profile signings. Also, a bit of Chelsea fan bias has been thrown in.
Kalidou Koulibaly
Adjustment to the Premier League? No problem. £34 million for Koulibaly looks like an absolute steal. I’m probably getting a little ahead of myself, but after his debut performance against Everton, he looks to be a perfect fit for this Chelsea backline and, dare I say, an upgrade on Rudiger.
As Tuchel said, he brings calmness and complete defensive quality to this backline – with great ability both technically and physically. The only negative is that Chelsea should’ve got this guy earlier, as at the age of 31, he won’t be a long term solution in terms of holding the defence down for the next decade.
Erling Haaland
This is an easy one. Definitely the best summer signing out of all these names on the list, especially when you consider that City paid a transfer fee of £51 million for his services. Even at the age of 22, his game looks so accomplished and complete that it’s hard to believe he’s human. And the scary thing is, he’s going to get even better.
There’s also an air of invincibility and inevitability surrounding Haaland, in that he is guaranteed to perform and score bucketloads of goals. Because, let’s be honest – can anyone see him being a flop? He is just inevitable.
Gabriel Jesus
The importance of this signing for Arsenal cannot be overstated: this is such an incredible upgrade on Lacazette. Jesus allows Arteta to implement his vision for Arsenal’s style of play in the final third specifically. He brings energy in the press and ability to influence buildup through his hold-up play and positional awareness – this is so important as Arsenal look to play a fluid front quartet in which the players interchange positions with each other.
Jesus, having done this already at City, can instantly deliver on Arteta’s plans. Already after only one game into the season, the Gunners’ attack looks so much more natural, cohesive and dangerous.
Nahuel Molina
This is probably the least widely recognised signing on this list, but let there be no illusions: Atletico Madrid have completed a very good piece of business with this deal. £18 million for the Argentine right back, who at 24 has the room to develop into a top asset for club and country, is looking to be a very good investment – and with the world cup in Qatar coming up soon, make sure you watch out for this guy.
Raheem Sterling
To be honest, I still can’t get my head round the fact that Man City let Sterling leave the club for only £47.5 million, considering the level of player that Chelsea are getting here. Instantly, he is now Chelsea’s best attacking option and he brings a much needed dynamism and positivity to Chelsea’s front line.
He arrives as the complete player in terms of fulfilling the left-sided position of the attack, although it remains to be seen whether Tuchel will use him here. There is a very possible chance that Sterling will instead be employed through the middle, in the ‘false nine’ role that Havertz has been mainly occupying recently.
Still, no matter where he plays, there is no denying that this signing is an incredible capture for Chelsea, who have desperately been yearning for more ‘cutting-edge’ in the final third.
Antonio Rudiger
This one seems to have gone under the radar a little bit, mainly because it was completed before the opening of the window. But make no mistake, this is an incredible signing for Real Madrid – they are getting one of the most in-form defenders in the world for absolutely no fee.
The only worry regarding this signing is the question that looms from his time at Chelsea: is Rudiger a player that relies upon a particular system in order to succeed? Whereas some players can slot into any system and tactics with ease, there is the idea going around that Rudiger may be a ‘system player’.
This most likely stems from the German’s reinvigoration upon the appointment of Tuchel and his implementation of a back 3, which has led some to think that his exceptional performances were somewhat down to him being a perfect fit for Tuchel’s system. However, there is no arguing against his quality regardless of this, and considering the price (or lack of) that Madrid paid, this is a very good signing.
Paulo Dybala
What a top signing this is for Mourinho’s Roma, and it seems to have gone under the radar with all the other crazy sagas going on right now. Yes, Dybala hasn’t had a great couple of years at Juventus but don’t let that fool you – he is still an incredibly gifted footballer and this move just looks perfect for everyone involved.
Combined with players such as Abraham and Zaniolo, this Roma team is just becoming scarier and scarier, with Mourinho now possessing some serious firepower.
