Premier League clubs spent a total of £1.26bn in the summer transfer window and the record fee for a goalkeeper was broke twice with first Alisson and then Kepa Arrizabalaga moving to Liverpool and Chelsea respectively. Each club hopes their newcomers will have a significant effect on their side whilst hoping not to lose any vital individuals. Tottenham did not sign anybody in the summer – the first time any club has not signed a single player in any transfer window. In total, 282 players arrived in the league this past summer, and 90MAAT looks at five players who have made an instant impact at their new club.
James Maddison
Maddison arrived in the East-Midlands from Norwich this summer for a fee of £24 million and has settled into Premier League life quickly. The 21-year-old, who spent his youth career south-west of Leicester in Coventry, has impressed early on at the King Power and has already been linked with a call-up to the England senior side this year. The youngster had a successful season in East Anglia last year and attracted much attention from a host of Premier League clubs. The Foxes fought off competition from the likes of Southampton and Everton and secured the services of Maddison – who last season was named in the PFA Championship Team of the Year.
Leicester’s new addition has been a regular in the Foxes line-up already this season and has already stamped down his authority – picking up support from not only the Leicester faithful but fans across the country. Before the international break he shone in midfield against a stubborn Liverpool side and effectively ran the game throughout. This influence resulted in speculation around a call-up to the senior squad with many backing the current under-21 player to make the breakthrough this season. Alongside his creativity, he has goals in his locker and possesses considerable composure and agility. Despite Maddison being new to the Premier League, he has looked a natural and if his form continues, it would be no surprise to see him lining up for Southgate’s squad very soon.
Aleksandar Mitrovic
After enjoying an exceptional loan spell at Fulham last season, the Cottagers made Aleksander Mitrovic a permanent player in West London on a five-year deal. Any doubts were immediately expelled as the target man started where he left off from last season, and will be vital if the London club are to achieve their aspirations this season.
The Serbian played a monumental role in helping Fulham return to the Premier League after a four-year absence last season, bagging 12 goals in only 17 appearances. He is almost certain to hit last season’s tally, with four goals in four appearances to his name already; these four goals puts the striker on top of the Premier League scoring table alongside Liverpool’s Sadio Mane. His old-style attacking play makes him different to many strikers in the league and his strength and tenacity make him a nightmare to come up against. It would be no surprise to see a chunk of his goals this season coming via his head because as with any target man, this is an area in which he excels. With Fulham making a variety of additions this summer, alongside the permanent signing of Mitrovic it was Jean Michael Seri and Andre Schurrle who have stood out so far. These two creative individuals have already mustered up a good relationship with the target man and, alongside Mitrovic, will be imperative to Fulham’s survival.
Alisson Becker
Despite his blunder against Leicester City before the international break it is clear that Alisson has already made a lasting impact in the red half of Merseyside. Liverpool opened the campaign with a new look defensive line which saw Joe Gomez replacing the injured Dejan Lovren and being rewarded with an England call-up in the recent international break. It was this defensive line that picked up three clean sheets in their opening three games and if it wasn’t for Alisson’s uncharacteristic mistake at the King Power it could well have been four from four. We could put his mistake down to inexperience in the Premier League yet I am sure it will quickly be forgotten about when looking at his opening three games with the Reds. The defensive line looks re-born for Klopp’s side and the partnership between Alisson and the back four is already blossoming and looks like one which has been together for years. Although the clean sheets picked up to date may be in part thanks to the imposing beginning to the season of centre-backs Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez, Alisson certainly has had an extensive role to play and will be imperative to Liverpool’s title ambitions.
Joao Moutinho
At 32-years-old there were doubts whether Joao Moutinho could have an impact at Wolves this season, yet after starting all four of Wolves’ league fixtures so far this season, his impact has been second to none. With over 100 appearances for both Sporting Lisbon and Monaco, as well as being Portugal’s third most capped player, the knowledge and understanding which Moutinho has for world football is un-contestable. Despite the fact he may not be the flashiest of midfielders, his stability in the middle of the park allows other midfielders to be more creative and advancing, which makes his partnership with fellow Portuguese, Ruben Neves, blossom. The midfielder has looked at home since the start with Wolves and it could be the heavy Portuguese presence in Nuno Espirito Santo’s side that puts Moutinho at ease and allows him to excel. The Wanderers currently have eight Portuguese players on their books yet with Moutinho arriving at Wolves for £5m on a two-year deal, he could be the most crucial and at only £5m, looks one of the signings of the summer to date.
Richarlison
Although Richarlison received a straight red card in his third appearance for the Toffees, his impact during his debut against Wolves and in the following fixture against Southampton was clear for all to see. After the Toffees’ spending surpassed £90m this summer, and with close to £40m of this being spent on the Brazilian, a lot of people were questioning Everton’s transfer activity after the midfielder struggled at Watford following the departure of Marco Silva. Spending his youth career in Brazil, the 21-year-old made the switch to Watford in the summer 2017 transfer window, and while under Marco Silva at the Hornets, he was their standout player at the beginning of the 17/18 campaign. As mentioned, his form after Silva’s departure slid and the difference while under the Portuguese manager was unparalleled. Silva wasted no time in bringing Richarlison to Everton and their partnership has continued to excel. Before his red card against the Cherries, he had netted three times, scoring 75% of the club’s goals. His Premier League form earned him an international call-up and after making his debut during the international break, he netted twice on his full debut in Brazil’s 5-0 win against El Salvador.
